Grizzly Bears Attack Hunters in Alaska, Canada and Montana - Page 2

jmr40 · October 25, 2011, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Black bear in the wild just don't seem to pose a threat; I've always heard of them as shy and spooky, and afraid of men. Pepper spray or a handgun will end it really quickly.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3306263

http://articles.cnn.com/2006-04-16/u...ition?_s=PM:US

http://www.democraticunderground.com...ress=115x50372

http://www.examiner.com/camping-in-n...ppen-tennessee

http://able2know.org/topic/120877-1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBnGe9HDGBI

http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/...ar-attack.html

You heard wrong. All of these incidents happened within 2-3 hours of home and within the last few years. There have been many more with few or no injuries that never made the news.

Edhem · October 25, 2011, 05:16 PM

So many attacks in just few days, not even 20?! I dont get why´s that only happen in USA often, how that comes that in bears country, such is Bosnia i have only once officialy heard of bear killed a man in the mountains around the capital city? And that happen some, say 25 years ago, or even more, i remember i was in early elementary school. Then the same bear attcks(dont know consequences afterwords) the police officer that come to protect the place.
It all reminds me a bit to that old movie that ive seen somewhere around ´87. What i mean is "The Claws", or simply #The Grizzly#, as transllated here.
Whydoesnt Siberian bears attack humans as tehy do in America, while they are kinda the same sized? Maybe because they have competition known as Siberian Tigers? Who knows that?

As for those Sherlocks that doesnt believe that a man can outrun a bear, heres a video from somewhere in Asia, that proves opposite:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcEzaDvftDk

I hope only one thing, and that is that this post wont be regarded as th "Trolling".

Best,
Edo

Daryl · October 25, 2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

As for those Sherlocks that doesnt believe that a man can outrun a bear, heres a video from somewhere in Asia, that proves opposite:

I'll just say that I can't outrun a bear.

Had a mule wreck about 10 years ago that broke my leg, and I haven't been able to run much since.

Daryl

Legionnaire · October 25, 2011, 05:57 PM

[Flip, unhelpful remark deleted. Sorry.]

Double Naught Spy · October 25, 2011, 06:36 PM

Funny thing about all these "attacks" are that people forget that when out in nature, nature plays by nature's rules, not people's rules.

Every year, salmon/trout/etc. fisher-people in Alaska fish streams often being fished by grizzlies and black bears, sometimes in parks where the rangers have to repeatedly tell the people fishing about the stupidity of fighting a bear over a fishing spot, a catch, or even that tackle attached to a catch. Strangely, the people fishing think that the bears can be reasoned with or intimidated by yelling and gesturing and the bears probably have as much actual fear of the people fishing as the people fishing do of small children.

I find it amazing that information such as this even needs to be published, but it does because people simply don't understand nature and that just beause they are human that they aren't immune from nature.
http://www.alaskafishingak.com/alask...ear_attack.htm

Check out this video about 2:20. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBWmMtcXQGk

When an animal is killed, the spoils go to whomever or whatever can take it. There have been several hunters attacked over the years while butchering their kills. Some knew about the attack too late or at the last moment because they failed to keep proper situational awareness.

MLeake · October 25, 2011, 06:43 PM

With regard to a full grown black bear boar being only 400lbs, maybe in Idaho...

A friend of mine went on his first bear hunt, last week, in Minnesota and bagged a 662lb boar. (Not too bad for a first attempt.)

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/eve...line/662-pound

Double Naught Spy · October 25, 2011, 07:15 PM

Speaking of the statistics from page 1 and how they are incidental unless you are the one being attacked, a quick internet search turned up more hunters being injured and killed each year (on average) in plane crashes in and out of hunting areas than being injured or killed by bears.

Then there is the danger of being shot by somebody in your own hunting party or from another hunting party...
http://tdn.com/news/local/article_38...cc4c002e0.html
http://homertribune.com/2009/08/belo...ting-accident/
http://www.huntingreport.com/hunting...ls.cfm?id=1549
http://www.wolfsongnews.org/news/Ala...vents_1367.htm
http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/...06250012.shtml
http://www.youralaskalink.com/news/B...121542694.html
http://www.adn.com/2008/05/12/403946...n-hunting.html
http://www.therepublic.com/view/stor...ntal-Shooting/

Being safe is a very multi-faceted concept that goes well beyond some of our over simplifications. This is especially true out in the bush where medical help isn't readily available.

Alaska444 · October 25, 2011, 08:30 PM

I got into searching for bear attacks as an education tool for my kids who grew up more in the city than I did as a kid growing up in Alaska. Since that time, with the shear numbers of reported attacks in the news media, it has taken on a life of its own. I am truly shocked at how many are actually reported understanding that the number of bear encounters without injury are much higher. An encounter can easily become an attack with injury or death without the proper preparation.

Of course, driving a car is much more dangerous, but more folks understand that risk and drive with care. Many folks on the other hand take their hikes and camping trips into the deep woods with relatively no planning or forethought. Looking at the number of bear attacks should be a sobering endeavor and cause us to pause and take account of what we need to do to be safe should the rare encounter turn into an even rarer attack.

RevGeo · October 26, 2011, 09:40 AM

In my part of Idaho the critters I worry about, in order:

Bull Moose.
Idiot with gun who think's he/she is a hunter.
Cow moose with calf.
Grizzly Bear.
Cougar.
Black Bear.
Stink Bug.

George

MLeake · October 26, 2011, 09:55 AM

Not sure who George is, but is he really less dangerous than a stink bug?

Meanwhile, based on experiences in Maine when I was a kid, I'd say the cow moose with calf is much more dangerous than any bull moose, except possibly during the rut.

Brian Pfleuger · October 26, 2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alaska444

Of course, driving a car is much more dangerous, but more folks understand that risk and drive with care.

Where do you live!

I want to be where most folks "drive with care"!

As mentioned, there are many things that kill us. The ones we worry about are generally those in our areas of interest.

I have known people with roll-cages, racing seats and 5-pt harnesses in their street cars... they were all the time talking about how dangerous driving is, and they're right but they are car and racing hobbiest and the rest of us largely ignore their precautions and think they're a wee bit overboard.

People on this forum carry firearms as a much higher percentage than the general population and we're always talking about this or that scenario and "always" being prepared and "condition yellow"... Most people think we're a little over the top and most of them die from heart disease or car accidents, not in lethal attacks where they wish they had a gun. But, we're gun enthusiasts, it's what we do.

There are similarities on rock climbing forums, sky diving forums, pilot forums, archery forums, doctor forums always talking about heart disease...

We worry about what interests us, or what we feel "connected to" for whatever reason, and we very often ignore things that are much more likely to kill us than is our chosen "cause".

eastbank · October 26, 2011, 10:46 AM

i have a friend who shot a large black bear in deer season several years ago, ,the bear followed him for over 30 minutes,popping his teeth and false charging,he shouted and fired his rifle close to it with no advail. when it charged to within 10-15 yards at a dead run he shot it twice in the head with his 30-06. and left it lay as he knew the game commision would side with the dead bear and he didn,t want the hassle. i have seen the pictures he took after killing it and it was a large black bear indeed. eastbank.

ZeroJunk · October 26, 2011, 11:19 AM

Sure there are plenty of things that can kill you.

I hunt in the most concentrated poulation of grizzly bears in the lower forty eight. I have encountered them. Somebody in my group encounters one alomost every year. To ignore the possible threat would be foolish.

Alaska444 · October 26, 2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Today, 09:19 AM #38
ZeroJunk
Senior Member

Join Date: August 14, 2006
Posts: 2,256
Sure there are plenty of things that can kill you.

I hunt in the most concentrated poulation of grizzly bears in the lower forty eight. I have encountered them. Somebody in my group encounters one alomost every year. To ignore the possible threat would be foolish.

Not likely that I will go hunting in Idaho anytime soon since I am still an out of stater despite staying here longer every year than CA. (technically, 9 months in Idaho makes you a resident automatically and at most we are here 7 or a little less). All of my friends that went hunting this year, about 10 of them went 0 and 10 for deer or elk despite that fact that they usually score every year. The wolves are having a feast and we are not this year.

For an out of state license and elk/deer tags, it is over $500 for the combo and throw in a wolf tag on top of that as well. For that type of money and little hope of bringing something home, while I enjoy the woods here in Idaho, I will pass on the hunting for now.

Nevertheless, where we go is right in the middle of bear country as well as large moose. We were up at the Bull River campground across the Montana border and we go to the St. Joes River south-east of Lake Coeur d'Alene. You simply have to consider where you are and have the ability to defend yourself if you are going to be in those areas.

Double Naught Spy · October 26, 2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Sure there are plenty of things that can kill you.

I hunt in the most concentrated poulation of grizzly bears in the lower forty eight. I have encountered them. Somebody in my group encounters one alomost every year. To ignore the possible threat would be foolish.

Any yet people ignore all varieties of possible threats with an alarming frequency, be them bears or simply not carrying sufficient water in the desert, but they do it and often find themselves in trouble and never seem to understand why it happened to them.

Edhem · October 26, 2011, 07:37 PM

All this thats going on about Grizzle bears reminds me somehow to this film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5wdw...eature=related

But it was better film than any modern ones. Just check those wast forestes on the beginning of the film, and youll get an idea(excluding those gore etc. elements).

Alaska444 · October 26, 2011, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Today, 08:22 AM #36
peetzakilla
Senior Member

Join Date: June 25, 2008
Location: Central, Southern NY, USA
Posts: 9,225

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alaska444
Of course, driving a car is much more dangerous, but more folks understand that risk and drive with care.
Where do you live! I want to be where most folks "drive with care"!

As mentioned, there are many things that kill us. The ones we worry about are generally those in our areas of interest.

I have known people with roll-cages, racing seats and 5-pt harnesses in their street cars... they were all the time talking about how dangerous driving is, and they're right but they are car and racing hobbiest and the rest of us largely ignore their precautions and think they're a wee bit overboard.

People on this forum carry firearms as a much higher percentage than the general population and we're always talking about this or that scenario and "always" being prepared and "condition yellow"... Most people think we're a little over the top and most of them die from heart disease or car accidents, not in lethal attacks where they wish they had a gun. But, we're gun enthusiasts, it's what we do.

There are similarities on rock climbing forums, sky diving forums, pilot forums, archery forums, doctor forums always talking about heart disease...

We worry about what interests us, or what we feel "connected to" for whatever reason, and we very often ignore things that are much more likely to kill us than is our chosen "cause".

There are about 50,000 people killed each year in the US in car accidents. As DNS keeps telling us with statistics, you are safer in the woods than in a car. True enough, but anyone going in grizzly country without thinking of the possible encounter just isn't playing with a full deck.

Brian Pfleuger · October 27, 2011, 07:33 AM

Well, I know, but that's not my point. My point is we over emphasize things we're interested in.
Just like many of us think not carrying a gun is foolish and unprepared yet almost everyone who DOESN'T carry a gun will never need one.
Just like most of us think going into grizzly country unaware would be foolish yet most everyone who does it never gets hurt.
It is wise to prepare. It is wise to wear seatbelts. But going into grizzly country unprepared is hardly akin to suicide.
We only even really notice the danger because it's in our "sphere of interest" so to speak.

Art Eatman · October 27, 2011, 08:48 AM

Seems to me it's the usual deal: The odds are low, but the stakes are high.

I've never had any sort of major car wreck, nor had a house catch fire, but I've been paying those insurance premiums forever and ever.

I figure that meddling around in bear country is a low-odds, high-stakes deal, and some sort of insurance--including alertness--is rational thought.

Alaska444 · October 27, 2011, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Today, 06:48 AM #44
Art Eatman
Staff

Join Date: November 13, 1998
Location: Terlingua, TX, USA
Posts: 18,770
Seems to me it's the usual deal: The odds are low, but the stakes are high.

I've never had any sort of major car wreck, nor had a house catch fire, but I've been paying those insurance premiums forever and ever.

I figure that meddling around in bear country is a low-odds, high-stakes deal, and some sort of insurance--including alertness--is rational thought.
__________________
Want to be cruel? Make someone think.

+1, well said!!

Brian Pfleuger · October 27, 2011, 02:12 PM

I don't disagree. I'm just trying to explain why people might not prepare, for all sorts of things.

After all, most of us carry a gun because it's low odds, high stakes but people around us are dying of heart disease and car accidents, not gun shots.
Most of us don't learn fancy driving techniques, significantly change our diets or exercise like we all know we should.
Why not? Because its boring or we're not interested or we're too lazy... Yet those things are HIGH odds, high stakes.
So, just as something is part of our lives or interests or experience and we can't imagine how anybody could NOT be prepared for it, we should also realize that there are plenty of other things that we completely ignore, that other people can't imagine why we don't prepare for.

Edhem · October 27, 2011, 07:32 PM

Ive been relly driver for a lots of time, and i havent had any major wrecks or such, perhaps because ive been couscous...

lead head · October 27, 2011, 10:44 PM

I think ZeroJunk is spot on. No hunting = no fear of man. Lion attacks in the parks of Africa happen for the same reason. It may also have to do with lack of woodsmanship.

tahoe2 · October 27, 2011, 11:21 PM

And don't forget some predators know the season; hear a gun, find a gut pile, or an animal that got away wounded. They know when we are in their woods it's dinner time. We lose a blood trail visually but a predator can smell blood a long ways off. All I know is when I'm out there, I am aware! I'm in their house now ! Play accordingly. We all know the risk when in the woods, whether you choose to accept or not is your choice, not scared, just cautious !

jmr40 · October 28, 2011, 05:51 PM

Statistics can be misleading. I'm sure more hunters are killed in auto accidents than by bear. But those accidents are fairly evenly distributed around the country. But probably 99.99% of all hunters have zero possibility of being killed by a grizzly simply because there are none within 1,000 miles of them. Of the .01% of hunters in big bear country they account for 100% of the attacks. Because of the larger numbers of big bears, and the lack of roads I'd bet a hunter in SE Alaska has a much greater chance of being killed by a bear than in an auto accident.

I'm not at all afraid of black bear. Had many encounters in the wild. Some close including moms with cubs. Have hiked and camped in Yellowstone a few times where I know grizzles live, but have yet to see one. I've never felt threatened by one. But I'm not stupid. I do all of the right things to avoid a confrontation, but still carry at least a handgun capable of the threat for the same reason I wear my seatbelt when driving. So far I've needed neither the gun or seatbelt.

October 25, 2011, 05:16 PM	#27
Edhem Member Join Date: October 12, 2011 Location: Sarajevo, Bosnia Posts: 62	So many attacks in just few days, not even 20?! I dont get why´s that only happen in USA often, how that comes that in bears country, such is Bosnia i have only once officialy heard of bear killed a man in the mountains around the capital city? And that happen some, say 25 years ago, or even more, i remember i was in early elementary school. Then the same bear attcks(dont know consequences afterwords) the police officer that come to protect the place. It all reminds me a bit to that old movie that ive seen somewhere around ´87. What i mean is "The Claws", or simply #The Grizzly#, as transllated here. Whydoesnt Siberian bears attack humans as tehy do in America, while they are kinda the same sized? Maybe because they have competition known as Siberian Tigers? Who knows that? As for those Sherlocks that doesnt believe that a man can outrun a bear, heres a video from somewhere in Asia, that proves opposite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcEzaDvftDk I hope only one thing, and that is that this post wont be regarded as th "Trolling". Best, Edo Last edited by Edhem; October 25, 2011 at 06:24 PM.

October 25, 2011, 05:57 PM	#29
Legionnaire Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2000 Location: Central TX Posts: 1,503	[Flip, unhelpful remark deleted. Sorry.] __________________ Cogito, ergo armatus sum. Last edited by Legionnaire; October 25, 2011 at 10:07 PM.

October 25, 2011, 06:36 PM	#30
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	Funny thing about all these "attacks" are that people forget that when out in nature, nature plays by nature's rules, not people's rules. Every year, salmon/trout/etc. fisher-people in Alaska fish streams often being fished by grizzlies and black bears, sometimes in parks where the rangers have to repeatedly tell the people fishing about the stupidity of fighting a bear over a fishing spot, a catch, or even that tackle attached to a catch. Strangely, the people fishing think that the bears can be reasoned with or intimidated by yelling and gesturing and the bears probably have as much actual fear of the people fishing as the people fishing do of small children. I find it amazing that information such as this even needs to be published, but it does because people simply don't understand nature and that just beause they are human that they aren't immune from nature. http://www.alaskafishingak.com/alask...ear_attack.htm Check out this video about 2:20. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBWmMtcXQGk When an animal is killed, the spoils go to whomever or whatever can take it. There have been several hunters attacked over the years while butchering their kills. Some knew about the attack too late or at the last moment because they failed to keep proper situational awareness. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

October 25, 2011, 07:15 PM	#32
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	Speaking of the statistics from page 1 and how they are incidental unless you are the one being attacked, a quick internet search turned up more hunters being injured and killed each year (on average) in plane crashes in and out of hunting areas than being injured or killed by bears. Then there is the danger of being shot by somebody in your own hunting party or from another hunting party... http://tdn.com/news/local/article_38...cc4c002e0.html http://homertribune.com/2009/08/belo...ting-accident/ http://www.huntingreport.com/hunting...ls.cfm?id=1549 http://www.wolfsongnews.org/news/Ala...vents_1367.htm http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/...06250012.shtml http://www.youralaskalink.com/news/B...121542694.html http://www.adn.com/2008/05/12/403946...n-hunting.html http://www.therepublic.com/view/stor...ntal-Shooting/ Being safe is a very multi-faceted concept that goes well beyond some of our over simplifications. This is especially true out in the bush where medical help isn't readily available. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

October 27, 2011, 10:44 PM	#48
lead head Member Join Date: April 30, 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 27	I think ZeroJunk is spot on. No hunting = no fear of man. Lion attacks in the parks of Africa happen for the same reason. It may also have to do with lack of woodsmanship. __________________ The joy of a weapon.

October 25, 2011, 06:43 PM	#31
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	With regard to a full grown black bear boar being only 400lbs, maybe in Idaho... A friend of mine went on his first bear hunt, last week, in Minnesota and bagged a 662lb boar. (Not too bad for a first attempt.) http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/eve...line/662-pound

October 25, 2011, 08:30 PM	#33
Alaska444 Junior member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Posts: 1,231	I got into searching for bear attacks as an education tool for my kids who grew up more in the city than I did as a kid growing up in Alaska. Since that time, with the shear numbers of reported attacks in the news media, it has taken on a life of its own. I am truly shocked at how many are actually reported understanding that the number of bear encounters without injury are much higher. An encounter can easily become an attack with injury or death without the proper preparation. Of course, driving a car is much more dangerous, but more folks understand that risk and drive with care. Many folks on the other hand take their hikes and camping trips into the deep woods with relatively no planning or forethought. Looking at the number of bear attacks should be a sobering endeavor and cause us to pause and take account of what we need to do to be safe should the rare encounter turn into an even rarer attack.

October 26, 2011, 09:40 AM	#34
RevGeo Senior Member Join Date: September 18, 2011 Location: North Idaho Posts: 161	In my part of Idaho the critters I worry about, in order: Bull Moose. Idiot with gun who think's he/she is a hunter. Cow moose with calf. Grizzly Bear. Cougar. Black Bear. Stink Bug. George

October 26, 2011, 09:55 AM	#35
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	Not sure who George is, but is he really less dangerous than a stink bug? Meanwhile, based on experiences in Maine when I was a kid, I'd say the cow moose with calf is much more dangerous than any bull moose, except possibly during the rut.

October 26, 2011, 10:46 AM	#37
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	i have a friend who shot a large black bear in deer season several years ago, ,the bear followed him for over 30 minutes,popping his teeth and false charging,he shouted and fired his rifle close to it with no advail. when it charged to within 10-15 yards at a dead run he shot it twice in the head with his 30-06. and left it lay as he knew the game commision would side with the dead bear and he didn,t want the hassle. i have seen the pictures he took after killing it and it was a large black bear indeed. eastbank.

October 26, 2011, 11:19 AM	#38
ZeroJunk Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2006 Location: Browns Summit NC Posts: 2,589	Sure there are plenty of things that can kill you. I hunt in the most concentrated poulation of grizzly bears in the lower forty eight. I have encountered them. Somebody in my group encounters one alomost every year. To ignore the possible threat would be foolish.

October 26, 2011, 07:37 PM	#41
Edhem Member Join Date: October 12, 2011 Location: Sarajevo, Bosnia Posts: 62	All this thats going on about Grizzle bears reminds me somehow to this film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5wdw...eature=related But it was better film than any modern ones. Just check those wast forestes on the beginning of the film, and youll get an idea(excluding those gore etc. elements).

October 27, 2011, 07:33 AM	#43
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Well, I know, but that's not my point. My point is we over emphasize things we're interested in. Just like many of us think not carrying a gun is foolish and unprepared yet almost everyone who DOESN'T carry a gun will never need one. Just like most of us think going into grizzly country unaware would be foolish yet most everyone who does it never gets hurt. It is wise to prepare. It is wise to wear seatbelts. But going into grizzly country unprepared is hardly akin to suicide. We only even really notice the danger because it's in our "sphere of interest" so to speak.

October 27, 2011, 08:48 AM	#44
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Seems to me it's the usual deal: The odds are low, but the stakes are high. I've never had any sort of major car wreck, nor had a house catch fire, but I've been paying those insurance premiums forever and ever. I figure that meddling around in bear country is a low-odds, high-stakes deal, and some sort of insurance--including alertness--is rational thought.

October 27, 2011, 02:12 PM	#46
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I don't disagree. I'm just trying to explain why people might not prepare, for all sorts of things. After all, most of us carry a gun because it's low odds, high stakes but people around us are dying of heart disease and car accidents, not gun shots. Most of us don't learn fancy driving techniques, significantly change our diets or exercise like we all know we should. Why not? Because its boring or we're not interested or we're too lazy... Yet those things are HIGH odds, high stakes. So, just as something is part of our lives or interests or experience and we can't imagine how anybody could NOT be prepared for it, we should also realize that there are plenty of other things that we completely ignore, that other people can't imagine why we don't prepare for.

October 27, 2011, 07:32 PM	#47
Edhem Member Join Date: October 12, 2011 Location: Sarajevo, Bosnia Posts: 62	Ive been relly driver for a lots of time, and i havent had any major wrecks or such, perhaps because ive been couscous...

October 27, 2011, 11:21 PM	#49
tahoe2 Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2011 Location: Seattle area Posts: 661	And don't forget some predators know the season; hear a gun, find a gut pile, or an animal that got away wounded. They know when we are in their woods it's dinner time. We lose a blood trail visually but a predator can smell blood a long ways off. All I know is when I'm out there, I am aware! I'm in their house now ! Play accordingly. We all know the risk when in the woods, whether you choose to accept or not is your choice, not scared, just cautious !

October 28, 2011, 05:51 PM	#50
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	Statistics can be misleading. I'm sure more hunters are killed in auto accidents than by bear. But those accidents are fairly evenly distributed around the country. But probably 99.99% of all hunters have zero possibility of being killed by a grizzly simply because there are none within 1,000 miles of them. Of the .01% of hunters in big bear country they account for 100% of the attacks. Because of the larger numbers of big bears, and the lack of roads I'd bet a hunter in SE Alaska has a much greater chance of being killed by a bear than in an auto accident. I'm not at all afraid of black bear. Had many encounters in the wild. Some close including moms with cubs. Have hiked and camped in Yellowstone a few times where I know grizzles live, but have yet to see one. I've never felt threatened by one. But I'm not stupid. I do all of the right things to avoid a confrontation, but still carry at least a handgun capable of the threat for the same reason I wear my seatbelt when driving. So far I've needed neither the gun or seatbelt.