Big bear!

I went on a trip to a local state historical center today, it is called Charlestown Landing, located in Charleston SC. It covers the settlement history of Charleston around 1670. lots of exhibits, artifacts, and replica buildings and crop fields. It also has an animal center containing animals that were native at the time.

After some patient waiting I got this shot of a pretty big black bear, I'm guessing 350 - 400 pounds. The bear would not tell me his name and it was not listed on his enclosure.

He seemed to be feeding selectively, roots or plants, I could not tell which, but he seemed quite content with me speaking to him.

I would love a chance to put a bear canister in there with him!

Hay Trouthunter go to the zoo and toss one full of peanut-butter over the fence then blame it on some kid so you don't get arrested lol.

HaHa....I bet you and I would get along just fine!

I wouldn't do it...but I did think of it.

speaking of zoos, did you guys hear the story about a year ago a couple of kids were tormenting a tiger? It was big news when it happened cuz CNN had a big story on it. Here's a link to refresh your memory-

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2008/01/03/MN9TU8AGC.DTL

when you go to the zoo, play niiiice!

The tiger incident is still popping up in the news here, what with all the lawsuits. The two surviving young men and the family of the one who was killed have a series of lawsuits going on against everyone in sight (City of San Francisco, the Zoological Society which runs the zoo, San Francisco Police, ambulance service, etc etc). Their claim of wrongful death is based on the tiger managing to get out of the enclosure. They continue to claim they were not tormenting or teasing the tiger, though the first statements the surviving pair made were contrary to that. At the same time, the two brothers (the surviving pair) have been repeatedly arrested on various drug and alcohol charges (they tested positive for a couple drugs and for being legally above the drunk level). One was involved in a drug-related car accident. They weren't exactly kids.

I remember when that happened, I do think they were harassing the cat based on the initial statements that were reported.

Why people feel they can harass large predators with impunity is beyond me. I guess to them it's some form of entertainment or false show of bravado. Either way, not bright.

I have a standard bit of advice I offer to those I meet on the trail who do not take bear precautions seriously, especially those few who seem to think they can leave food in their tent, and then chastise a bear with a trekking pole for investigating.

- "Give the animal advance warning of your presence, respect their space, respect their physical abilities. You do not want to antagonize an animal that weighs 300 lbs, can run 30 miles an hour, and snatch fish out of running water. Like it or not, your no match."-

Fortunately bears are usually not at all interested in confrontation unless provoked in some manner.

I am more than willing to help people bear bag if they are new to camping in bear country, and most newbies are willing to let you help them if you offer. Most hikers I run into are bear aware and follow the rules. Every once in a while you run into those who think the world is their oyster, so to speak.

Some learn they are wrong.