As many of us know, there were two fatal grizzly attacks in Yellowstone last year. The sow responsible for the first was also responsible at the second site, but so were many other bears.

You can read both reports here:
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/ne ... 963f4.html

That's the report on the Wallace attack, but the report on the Matayoshi death is attached as Appendix C. The conclusions follow the information from initial reports, which I know people on SP have already discussed.

That bear was after more than just a picinic basket, eh Boo Boo?

The second one was, EB. I've had a distant bear encounter very close to that spot, it's definitely a place for paying attention to your surroundings.

Was out of town and missed these when they went down last summer. Disturbing news that up to 4 bears were feeding on Mr Wallace. Seems to be a trend in the park in the last few years. I'll be carrying a can of bear spray on each hip next time I venture on Yellowstone's trails.

Blacks bears remind me of fat, awkward, skiddish dogs. The thought of running into a grizzly really scares me though. I was in Yellowstone late last July, right after this happened. Trying to set up a backcountry itinerary with the rangers, I was really surprised about all the closed areas and precautions regarding grizzly country, beyond the standard bear country protocols I am familiar with.

mountainsandsound wrote:Blacks bears remind me of fat, awkward, skiddish dogs. The thought of running into a grizzly really scares me though. I was in Yellowstone late last July, right after this happened. Trying to set up a backcountry itinerary with the rangers, I was really surprised about all the closed areas and precautions regarding grizzly country, beyond the standard bear country protocols I am familiar with.

Black bears actually target humans as food more than grizzlies do. Grizzlies are just more efficient and much more feared killing machines.Take note of this link on fatal North American attacks. Though the list lacks some of Yellowstone's recent attacks, it illustrates that black bears are no slouches when it comes to numbers of fatal attacks.
http://jasperwildlife.com/Fatal-Bear-At ... dlife.html

Black Bears have always been shy and retiring when I have encountered them, but I know that they have maimed and killed humans. One really funny encounter was hiking out from a three day trip up the NE Buttress of Mt Goode in the North Cascades. It was about 100 degrees out, no shade to speak of and I was walking with my head down, just exhausted, and I ran smack into my partner in front of me. I looked up and saw a bear just 15 feet from us, around the corner. My partner yelled 'Hey bear!'. The bear did a somersault and ran away crashing through the underbrush. It could have easily turned around and eaten all three of us, but it was a young one and was easily frightened.

Word on the street is that boat flares are the ticket to fend off Grizzlies.

ExcitableBoy wrote:Word on the street is that boat flares are teh ticket to fend of Grizzlies.

You just have to stand on the opposite side of the forest fire.

Boat horns are supposedly useful too.

Bill Reed wrote:
Black bears actually target humans as food more than grizzlies do. Grizzlies are just more efficient and much more feared killing machines.Take note of this link on fatal North American attacks. Though the list lacks some of Yellowstone's recent attacks, it illustrates that black bears are no slouches when it comes to numbers of fatal attacks.
http://jasperwildlife.com/Fatal-Bear-At ... dlife.html

I know that is true, but I guess I've been around enough black bears to feel that the vast majority are not trying to have anything to do with humans (at least in the north cascades backcountry). I would think it depends on how habituated to humans they are. The predatory behavior exhibited toward humans that is characteristic of black bears rather than grizzlies is pretty rare. I have encountered black bears in the woods on numerous occasions, and never not scared the shit out of them (and myself sometimes). Thankfully, the only interest they have ever showed in me was how to get the hell away. I personally would rather take my chances running into another black bear (who may happen to be that unique individual that sees me as food), than to surprise or upset a grizzly (who is more likely to deal out a violent defensive/aggressive response).

A bear romance

I was picking morels in Okanogan national forest near a stream. The stream was loud enough and I must have been downwind, plus I had my head down looking for mushrooms. We were about 30 feet away and it was sorta funny because I could tell our eyes met at the exact same time and the bear and I both had an "Oh SHIT" moment. I had that adrenaline rush and the bear took off grunting and crashing through the brush before I could move. It ended well for us, and I like to think we were just two fellow mammals foraging in the woods. I still wonder if he or she was picking morels too.

Bill Reed wrote: Though the list lacks some of Yellowstone's recent attacks, it illustrates that black bears are no slouches when it comes to numbers of fatal attacks.
http://jasperwildlife.com/Fatal-Bear-At ... dlife.html

Although the recent Yellowstone attacks do not seem to be included, the numbers seem to show that in the 2000s there were very few attacks in the lower 48. Most of the attacks seem to be in Alaska and Canada.

My worst experience with a bear was a black bear that came into our campsite during meal time on a canoe trip in Northern Ontario. He proceeded to eat most of our food (I think our cooking smells may have attracted him) and then drink 22 cans of beer. He would put an entire can in his mouth and than bite down to open it. He would then spit out the empty and proceed to the next beer. After the beer he left camp and we never saw him again. I can just imagine his hangover the next day. Needless to say this was all observed from about 150 yards away. We all ran for the canoes and watched from out on the lake.