The first thing is the bears are out now, forging around for food, we have already heard of one bear mauling recently of a jogger and his dog, the dog got away, but the jogger didn’t and suffered severe bites on his body and head.
Bear taking a break from forging to look us over!
Picture by Stephen L. Fields
He will survive, and he admits he is very lucky, He said he didn’t see the momma bear with baby until too late, and he ran when he shouldn’t have.
They say not to run if you encounter a bear, but to get away as quickly as possible, now how do you do that…without running? They say that a bear can quickly catch up to someone running away.
Which is confirmed by this mauled man, he said the bear caught up with him, and this man is a daily jogger, and if he couldn’t get away, I am quite sure I wouldn’t be able either.
Course if I had a bear “encounter” I wouldn’t need to worry about running, because I am sure that I would just melt into a pile of poo, because I would be to scared to run.
You have to look carefully while hiking, this bear blends in very well.
Picture by Mike Kingston
I have seen a grizzly bear up close, and thankfully I was in a truck at the time, because he was taller then the hood of my truck, and he was on all four paws, running, he stopped in front of me and stared for a few seconds, and then he ran off into the woods.
I have to tell you as beautiful as he was, (I didn’t have my camera at the time either…darn) I am glad that I had the truck window glass between me and him, because he was running scared, dogs were chasing him, and he would have attacked me, without a doubt.
Anyways…The experience has convinced me into changing my ways, I do not walk alone anywhere anymore. Because this bear was so big, even a handgun would not have phased it. If I had a handgun that is.
This Bear doesn't look to happy to see anybody in his territory!
Picture by Mike Kingston
This time a year is one of the times, that we need to be especially cautious, because they are just up and about after hibernating all winter, and they are hungry, and there is not much food in the way of berries and stuff yet..
Also people need to remember the meat and other groceries they left sitting out on the back deck or porch, (because it will stay frozen outside all winter) before it starts defrosting and the odor will draw the bears.
So not only will you risk being attacked, but you will be fined a big big fine, because it is against the law to feed the bears, or leave food where they can get to it.
Mamma Black Bear with rare White Cub!
Picture by Unknown Artist!
All you need to do to be safe is to be cautious, aware, because sometimes they stick around for a while before they wonder off. This recent mauling, the man said he had seen the two bears earlier on his property.
We also have to be aware of coming between a momma bear and cub; it is one of the most dangerous places to be…
Most of the time the bears will head in the opposite direction of a human, but there are those other times, that we must always be aware of.
Here is a great site that tells you all about Alaska bears:
http://www.alaskabears.alaska.gov/
Oh, and the other thing we need to watch out for is much smaller….mosquitoes!
CU
4 comments:
Hi, I came here from BlogCatalog and found your blog very interesting! Although I live in the northern part of Sweden ... far away from Alaska ...I am recognizing so many things.
Bears... oh yes we have plenty.
Wow this is rare, a white bear, so cute. Love the scenic pictures on your blog.
I remember my first encounter with a bear in the BC mountains when I was 16. I had just moved there, and had never seen one outside the zoo. I was walking home from a party with a new friend, and discussing bears, as it happened. He told me that if we saww a bear, just yell and make as much noise as possible, and it would run away.
Sure enough, on a dark night in the middle of nowhere, a bear stepped out of the bushes not 20 feet in front of us! My friend picked up a couple of rocks, started banging them together and yelling for all he was worth. I, on the other hand, opened my mouth, but couldn't make a sound above a hoarse, terrified whisper.
I have since learned to deal with bears with respect, but no fear, and appreciate how truly majestic the kings of the north are :-)
Beautiful photos.
Wow an albino black bear, what a gorgeous little guy :)
Post a Comment