GreenGrasshoppr

And sometimes, well... he eats you

Shot at 2007-07-23

https://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/...60976-sun.html

San Rensho 

"I cut off your Johnson and I stomp on it!"

bragi

Is it just my imagination, but are bear attacks getting more common throughout the west? I don't remember any stories of mountain bikers being attacked by bears in the past. (Although I once met a road biker from Vancouver Island who claimed he was chased by a cougar while riding on a highway...)

donnamb 

Negative encounters between humans and wildlife are on the rise in places where new construction and development encroaches on natural habitat. Apparently, no one invites bears, cougars, wolves, coyotes, etc. to planning and re-zoning meetings.

AEO

It's just more common in areas where human habitats start to overlap wildlife habitats. It's probably also seasonal. Parents are pretty protective of their offspring.

donnamb 

I've noticed that here in the city, too.

nova

Heh thats one great ting about living in clinton ohio. All my experiances with predators such as coyotes have been great. Ive seen 3 up close 1 was a very close encounter. The 1 very close one was a little female pup maybe 2 months old. Where i live we have a pound (rain filled drainage pound) She was down there to drink as it was a very dry week. I did not see her parents and simply walked away at a fast pace when i came across her. I was a little tempted to dive on her and puppynap her (not really id never take a animal out of the wild unless she or he had no hope of living in the wild). Of course her parents were some where close im sure. To date on the tow path or at my very home i have seen 3 coyotes countless deer (5 last night after the big rain storm here) red foxes beavers chipmunks etc.

I think people mostly get attacked because they do not know how to be around wildlife. Out of 100 attacks i would hazard a guess that 95+ could be avoided if you understand how to behave around the animals. Same thing is true for pet dogs as well.

When you see a dog do not just go for a weapon or your pepper spray. Instead speak to the dog yell at him to go home sit down stay or even heal. You'll will find that most dogs have at least some basic training and will listen to basic commands. As for coyotes just make your self look big and imposing. If your waring a tshirt grab the sides and pull them out if a jacket unzip it and hold it out to the sides. Coyotes are by nature skittish and will take flight fast unless with pups.

Never feed wild animals ever. Bears tend to not attack when they are on their own but are much more dangerous with cubs in tow.

CliftonGK1

They're all invited; but without thumbs, they can't work the doorknob to get in the building.

WalterMitty

FYI:

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, recently issued this bulletin:
In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert of bears while in the field.


"We advise outdoorsmen to wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle bears that aren't expecting them. We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear.


It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear manure:


Black bear manure is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur.


Grizzly bear manure has little bells in it and smells like pepper."

nova

Rofl

pj7

I wouldn't say it is more common, just more published now. If you take a look at the statistics for a given area on animal attacks for the first half of last year it'll likely be identical to the statistics for this year thus far. It's just that the major media outlets now are getting bored with reporting the war, Britney-Lindsey-Paris hooplah, and global warming. so now they are posting other shocking stories to get readers/advertisers.
Of course I could be wrong, but this is just my take on it, obviously in the past years not every_single animal attack has been reported by the media.

kjmillig

Took me a minute to get that one.