Bear Encounter Story

[highpeaksdrifter]

This article was in today's Albany Times Union

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/st...&category=LIFE&BCCode=LIFE&newsdate=8/19/2006

Anyone ever had something similar happen to them?

 

[FRITOLAYGUY]

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]

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

 

[riverc0il]

here is a bear encounter story i posted last summer after having my first encounter with a black bear:
http://forums.alpinezone.com/4562-first-bear-encounter.html?highlight=bear

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]

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.