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Posted by SteveTheFolkie on June 6, 2007 at 1:58:48 pm EDT
In reply to Bear canisters revisited (please) posted by Karman on April 1, 2007 at 10:49:50 am EDT

I spent a very enjoyable evening in the high peaks region of the adirondacks a few years ago watching a bear try to figure out how to get my bear bag down from between the trees. After about 15 minutes a second bear wandered over - she tried a couple things she'd apparently figured out over the years as well (yanking on my white "decoy" tie down cord) - I'd spent my day bagging boundary, marcy and another peak the name of which I cannot recall right now - I was bone freakin tired - and it was like watching Laurel and Hardy - I just sat back nice and quiet - eventually they left -

the point is that they're quite smart and very able to learn from experience, so it only takes one or two slobs to turn a "good" bear into a "problem" bear.

As I tend to like most bears more than I like most people, be nice to 'em - keep your food and all out of reach - don't get 'em comfortable with you as a food source (either what you carry or your body (chomp!)) - and spend some time watching the other animals you spend time with in the woods.

Much like 1% bikers, they're not dangerous unless provoked -in fact most of 'em just want to live their own lives and not be pestered by the rest of us.

I won't say they "deserve" it - however - I will say that most people who have bad experiences with bears or other wild animals bring it upon themselves. I know there are some rogue animals out there - but I'd be willing to be that in the past some other human has done something to piss 'em off - and we probably all look alike to a bear. But most people get in trouble when they screw up - when they try to get a picture of that "cute cub" or when they're sloppy in camp with food or garbage, or they surprise an animal or seem to threaten it - and what do they expect the bear to do - run away? Heck - you're in the bears territory - not yours - play by their rules -enjoy their company and be richer for the experience.

Steve

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