Ever been near a whale when it blows? Absolutely putrid smell, too. But those generally don't eat you. Well, maybe killer whales.A dog is a great thing as long as it is not of a nature to be an instigator and can be called *out* 100% reliably.
One-couple things about bears in general and Grizz in particular - in my experience - is that they stink to holy-hell and are noisy in the strangest ways.
Ironically, the stench is seldom ID'd as bear until too late and the noises that they make are strangely anomalous and easily disregarded to the potential victim's distress.
I recall my first bear briefing at a place called Tanana Base Camp up Alaska held this jewel: "Browns smell gawd-awful.... Don't ask me exactly what they smell like but trust me; if you attend to the outrageous smell we are warning you of.... if you EVER smell it you will know instantly!"
Couple weeks later this was proven out. I needed about 1/2 or less of a second between noting as a mental flash: "what the hell is THAT?!?" and logging it as a potential Brown. Play into that attaching the strange sounds I'd been hearing for about a minute prior.
She and I eventually went our separate ways but the encounter is the stuff of high-fiction and far too long a story to type out here.
Todd.
I have, a couple-few times in Monterey Bay and never got to notice that or merely don't recall.Ever been near a whale when it blows? Absolutely putrid smell, too. But those generally don't eat you. Well, maybe killer whales.
There's an acronym is motorcycling, ATGATT. All The Gear, All The Time. You don't get to choose when you may go down, so if you wear it all the time, you're covered.
Something that surveyor might want to consider. But I bet he will now.
Maybe it's just east coast whales. lolI have, a couple-few times in Monterey Bay and never got to notice that or merely don't recall.
Now, I feel like I've had less than complete experiences in that regard.
Todd.
So the Easty-Beasties or Atalanticians have mind-wrending halitosis do they?Maybe it's just east coast whales. lol
Or it was so hideous your mind has blocked any memory of it to save your sanity. Nasty rotten fish odor to the Nth degree.
If this guy really was a surveyor in Alaska for 40 years, he is much more aware of risks from bear attacks than any of us here.
The test:
Get 5 target stands that put the bullseye at about 30 - 36 inches off the ground. The bullseye should be 3” in diameter representing a bear’s nose. A bear running on all fours nose is about 3 feet off the ground.
Set your first target at 50 yards, second at 40 yards, 3rd at 30, 4th at 20, 5th at 10 yards. Stagger them to one side or the other of centerline to the 50 yard target to simulate the bear’s nose moving side to side as it runs.
Now, take the gun of your choice and prepare to fire at the 50 yard target first. A bear can move 50 yards in 3 seconds. Either count off 3 seconds to yourself or have a Buddy run a timer or a stop watch, but see how many of the 5 targets you can hit in 3 seconds.
Quite a lesson in humility, believe me.
It’s a very good drill to see what you shoot the best and probably what you should be carrying in bear country.
Knowing the risks of your environment is one thing. Being complacent about them is another.
I have a setup at my personal gun range that is similar, except it uses a tetherball attached to a spring wound air hose reel. The shooter stands with the rope between his legs and they tetherball about 25 yards in front of him. Can't start shooting till the ball starts coming at you. The ball is about the same size as a "stop" zone on a bear. Not many folks hit it. Even I, who have done the drill for years, have a hard time hitting it more than once before it gets to me when using a handgun....even if it's my 1911.