|
[ Return to Contents
| Post a Reply
| Post a new message
]
On being misquoted-
Posted by Michael Strahan on Dec 12 2005
Hi guys,
I think I've been misquoted here. I didn't say ALL bears are in fear of hunters. What I said is that MOST bears that are being hunted are in fear of hunters. I still stand by that statement. There's a huge difference in bear behavior when they're not being hunted and when they are. Proof of this abounds during the fall hunt on the Alaska Peninsula, when most bears become almost nocturnal during hunting season. Fly out there before the season starts, after it closes, or on alternating years when there isn't a hunt and you'll see them everywhere. But try that about a week into the hunting season and you'd think there were no bears there at all sometimes.
There are places in Alaska where bears are not hunted at all, and the bears there behave completely differently than those that ARE hunted. In fact, I believe some bears migrate to closed areas during hunting season. The McNeil River area is a case in point, where there has been considerable thought about bears migrating between the Bruin Bay area (and adjacent locales) over to McNeil River during hunting season.
The bottom line? Bears are smart; especially the older ones. So, let's keep my remarks in the proper context; it's my view that in most (not ALL) cases where bears are being hunted, that they will exit the area or hunker down as soon as they know you're there. More than that, they'll do the same if there is increased aircraft activity. It's as if they have associated airplane activity with getting shot at. I've seen this happen many times in the field, while guiding brown bear hunters. If you don't believe it, please let me know what valley you're hunting and I'll be in the next one over- intercepting game as it leaves your area! :-))
The point that attacks occur is purely academic, and is not the topic I was addressing in the hunting thread. In the context of this thread, what concerns me is the fact that most neophytes spend WAAAAY too much time worrying about an attack that will never happen; it dominates their thinking, and their enjoyment of the experience is compromised. I believe they are the primary offenders when it comes to "charging" bears that are shot at 80 yards or more "in defense of life and property". Almost all of these "charges" are not charges at all, but simply involve the animal either bluff charging or getting closer to see what you are. Unfortunately it takes a lot of encounters with bears before someone learns enough about their body language to tell the difference between a bluff charge and the real deal. Sometimes it's impossible to tell, I might add.
So, to dispel all possible doubt, I've always advocated using enough gun (assuming you can handle the weapon properly), avoiding the use of pepper spray, and running a clean camp. A quick look through the archives will clarify my position on these and related issues. The other thread was about bear HUNTING; this one is about bear DEFENSE. Two different topics; two completely different scenarios. Two different ways of conducting yourself in the field. When I'm fishing, I make all the racket I want, to let bears know I'm there. But when I'm hunting, I sneak along quietly through the tall grass, hoping to surprise one at close range. Others may differ in their opinions; these are just mine.
-Mike
Previous: The topic that won't go away DanC Dec 11 2005
Next: mortal fear martentrapper Dec 13 2005
 Message Thread:
|
