Defense against black bear

[Alaska444]

The list was described as a fatal attacks list in the title of the article on Wikipedia. And I also referenced black bear attacks in my post. The second survey included brown bear attacks.

I make no claims for the accuracy of these stats btw but the truth is I've seen several reports that indicate a big increase in attacks. Locally there has been an increase in attacks as well if you count a 4 state region as a local area. Kentucky, Tenn, NC and Virginia would be the area I'm talking about. The thing that makes me think the reports on increased attacks is accurate is the booming population of bears in this area. Everywhere I go there are bear reserves, problems with people feeding bears, state parks releasing 500 bears in a summer (that was 20 miles from where I live and 2 miles from my farm), etc. plus there's the amazing jump in the number of bears I've seen personally. I see them where I live and I see them on my farm. I've seen an incredible increase in signs where it's obvious that bears are hanging around. There are photos in the newspaper, dead bears on the highways, bear signs in my yard and bears in my yard doing things they would never have done 20 years ago. It just made sense to me that the number of attacks would increase given the number of new bears around. But again those aren't my stats and I make no claims about their accuracy.

Dear Cee Zee,

Which state do you live? It amazes me that the conservation and preservation of a rabidly growing bear population exceeds the common sense of having adequate bear protection when in bear country. Take a look at what the state of Missouri advocates for bear avoidance and especially for bear defense against an aggressive bear.

If a Bear Seems Aggressive

Black bears almost never attack people. If you follow the precautions listed above, you probably won't have any trouble with bears. However, in the unlikely event that a black bear does attack, fight the bear aggressively with anything close at hand—rocks, sticks or even your fist. Black bears are usually intimidated by an aggressive counterattack.

http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/outdoor-recreation/camping/camping-black-bear-country

Yes, bear attacks are rare, but shucks, not even pepper spray in their recommendations? Sadly, the folks in charge of the bears care more for protecting them against mortality than they do the people who use the parks in question. If you are involved with an aggressive black bear intent on harm, these folks offer no effective defense options.

Sorry, give me a good gun, minimum of .357 magnum/10 mm instead of grabbing "anything close at hand—rocks, sticks or even your fist." Discussing bear defense on forums such as THR is important since the official sources almost never include any effective bear defense measures.

 

[JShirley]

Wikipedia is an open-source document. I advised my students I would automatically fail any assignments that attempted to use it to "prove" anything.

 

[Alaska444]

Wikipedia is an open-source document. I advised my students I would automatically fail any assignments that attempted to use it to "prove" anything.

When it comes to bear attacks, there is no central data resource. The bear researchers likewise do not publish their raw data sources to be able to look objectively at their research. I would love to have Dr. Herrero's data base, but to date, I have never seen that published and likely never will.

Until then, for raw numbers, Wikipedia is the only source we have as flawed as it may be. I have on more than one occasion taken their data on bear attacks and looked up individual stories. All of those listed stories are easy to confirm in news accounts on the web, at least for the last few decades anyway. Is it all inclusive, who knows, there is nothing to compare it to published as a central source.

So, until the researchers publish their files on the raw data, what other option is there?

 

[hso]

At least check "facts" and read the abstract from the published articles if not the journal article itself. It took a few minutes but it wasn't that difficult to find the abstract and then from that the article.

 

[Alaska444]

At least read the abstract from the published article if not the journal article itself. It took a few minutes but it wasn't that difficult to find the abstract and then from that the article.

Dear hso,

Thank you, I have read the the abstract you put forth and have seen it in the past. Not sure I am going to spend money to get the full article. I have no problem looking at science articles, I am an MD and spend a lot of time doing just that.

Not everyone has that back ground, so I posted links to the articles about the article and a direct interview with Herrero discussing and explaining the article. If you want the full article, it will cost about $30.00.

Is there a specific point you would like me to address. Bottom line, sticking with the thread OP, considering an appropriate black bear defense is prudent for all those that live in bear country especially considering the findings of the Herrero study on predatory black bear attacks.

I will have to see where I put the article in my files.

Thank you,

Alaska444

 

[Alaska444]

Looks like Herrero does include basic information on each bear attack. I never noticed that previously.

It would be interesting to see how his list compares to Wikipedia.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.72/suppinfo

But putting together the take home message of Herrero, the answer is to have more than one option of definitive bear deterrent should you ever need to in the rare circumstance of an aggressive black bear attack.

 

[AWorthyOpponent]

Can of diesel engine starter fluid and a Bic lighter? I'd keep both close if camping and one gets in your face. Makes a heck of a flamethrower!

WD40 works well also, and can double as a gun lube/cleaner if you are out camping...just make sure you clean PROPERLY when you get home.

 

[Robert]

Enough.