Bear Encounter Story

highpeaksdrifter · Aug 19, 2006, 8:00 AM

This article was in today's Albany Times Union

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/sto...date=8/19/2006

Anyone ever had something similar happen to them?

FRITOLAYGUY · Aug 19, 2006, 12:07 PM

While working for Fedex and doing a delivery up in Harwinton CT, i came back around the rear of the truck and found a black bear, not large , but tagged halfway on my seat trying to get at my munchies, it was weird i was frozen in awe, really couldnt move i guess because its just something you ever see, anyway he or she heard me got on all fours looked at me for maybe a second and slowly walked away back down a rocky path into the forest..

Ski Diva · Aug 19, 2006, 1:49 PM

That article is pretty scary! Whare ARE you supposed to do (besides not run) in that type of situation?

riverc0il · Aug 19, 2006, 3:37 PM

here is a bear encounter story i posted last summer after having my first encounter with a black bear:
First Bear Encounter

it is really something else, and it is the kind of something else i hope to only experience once in a life time. unlike the article posted above, i wasn't scared or fearful until after the encounter was over and i was a safe distance away, instinct took over. what i remember most is the bear's indifference, which is a nice reminder about how indifferent nature in general is to us humans. i am sure if it felt threatened it would have been a different encounter. i just backed away slowly not looking at the bear. animals can take eye contact as threatening or challenging from what i understand.

FRITOLAYGUY · Aug 19, 2006, 4:36 PM

You did the right thing Steve, i was just reading a few articles about what to do, most say this..

Never approach a bear - Most black bears will avoid confrontation if given the chance. If a bear encounter occurs, make sure to give the animal enough space to escape. Most human injuries associated with black bears occur when a bear is approached. If a black bear approaches, try to demonstrate that you may be a danger to it. Make yourself larger, stand up, raise your arms and open your jacket. Yell, bang pots and pans or whatever objects you may have that will create a commotion.

Do not run from a bear - Running away from a black bear may stimulate its instinct to chase. No human will be able to outrun a bear. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact, but don't stare. If you have small children with you, pick them up so they can't run away or panic.

Aug 19, 2006, 8:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
highpeaksdrifter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Warming Earth Posts: 2,972	Bear Encounter Story This article was in today's Albany Times Union http://timesunion.com/AspStories/sto...date=8/19/2006 Anyone ever had something similar happen to them? __________________ The Stone Age didn’t end because people ran out of stones.

Aug 19, 2006, 1:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ski Diva Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 288	That article is pretty scary! Whare ARE you supposed to do (besides not run) in that type of situation? __________________ TheSkiDiva, For Women Who Ski http://www.theskidiva.com

Aug 19, 2006, 3:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
riverc0il Ari Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ashland, NH Posts: 6,497	here is a bear encounter story i posted last summer after having my first encounter with a black bear: First Bear Encounter it is really something else, and it is the kind of something else i hope to only experience once in a life time. unlike the article posted above, i wasn't scared or fearful until after the encounter was over and i was a safe distance away, instinct took over. what i remember most is the bear's indifference, which is a nice reminder about how indifferent nature in general is to us humans. i am sure if it felt threatened it would have been a different encounter. i just backed away slowly not looking at the bear. animals can take eye contact as threatening or challenging from what i understand. __________________ -Steve TheSnowWay.com featuring Big Jay Coverage "Skiing is not a sport, it is a way of life." - Otto Schniebs 51

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Aug 19, 2006, 12:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
FRITOLAYGUY Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 1,089	While working for Fedex and doing a delivery up in Harwinton CT, i came back around the rear of the truck and found a black bear, not large , but tagged halfway on my seat trying to get at my munchies, it was weird i was frozen in awe, really couldnt move i guess because its just something you ever see, anyway he or she heard me got on all fours looked at me for maybe a second and slowly walked away back down a rocky path into the forest..

Aug 19, 2006, 4:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
FRITOLAYGUY Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 1,089	You did the right thing Steve, i was just reading a few articles about what to do, most say this.. Never approach a bear - Most black bears will avoid confrontation if given the chance. If a bear encounter occurs, make sure to give the animal enough space to escape. Most human injuries associated with black bears occur when a bear is approached. If a black bear approaches, try to demonstrate that you may be a danger to it. Make yourself larger, stand up, raise your arms and open your jacket. Yell, bang pots and pans or whatever objects you may have that will create a commotion. Do not run from a bear - Running away from a black bear may stimulate its instinct to chase. No human will be able to outrun a bear. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact, but don't stare. If you have small children with you, pick them up so they can't run away or panic.