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More bear encounters

Jonesy

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
416
Location
Alexandria, Virginia, USA
I have been doing alot of hiking in SNP and GWNF and have now had 3 separate bear encounters (despite Peter Nap's suggestion that I would probably never see one in my related post), one with mama bear and 2 cubs, others with somewhat sizeable males (I think). The latest happened yesterday going up the Cedar Run trail in SNP (which is a magnificent 8.5 mile waterfall canyon hike, coming back down White Oak Canyon).

I was proceeding up a steep section of trail around 8:30 am, with the mountain rising extremely steeply above me to my left, came around a corner in the trail, and the bear was above me to my left maybe only 25 feet away. This was startling, as it felt like he could jump down on me within seconds, but he quickly dashed uphill and directly away from me. I had my hand on my weapon quickly but did not draw seeing him retreating. I think he did not hear me due to the sound of the nearby water. He retreated maybe 30 yards and stopped and was staring down at me. I slowly started moving up the trail and away from him without turning my back. My main concern now was that he would follow me, but the undergrowth was very thick so I thought I may hear him unless he got on the trail behind me. I got around the next corner on the trail and moved quickly uphill, listening carefully and frequently checking the trail behind me. I started feeling safer after I put some distance between us.

Anyways, it seems there are quite a few bears in SNP and GWNF, and while it seems the danger of a bear attack is rather low due to the generally timid nature of the black bears, and because you all have convinced me that 2 legged critters are an even bigger potential danger, I will be open carrying on all my hikes when legal to do so. My further research into black bears shows that extremely occasionally they become predatory towards humans. It will be interesting to see how others on the trails and the rangers react to me, as many visit SNP from DC, Maryland and other gun unfriendly areas. Is anyone else on here ocing in SNP?
 
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peter nap

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
13,551
Location
Valhalla
Take a camera and enjoy them Jonsey. They're better company than those tourists you'll run into.

sidebear33post.jpg
 

Marco

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2007
Messages
3,905
Location
Greene County
It will be interesting to see how others on the trails and the rangers react to me, as many visit SNP from DC, Maryland and other gun unfriendly areas.
I haven't had an issues. One passerby asked why the hardware, my reply why not.

I made the mistake of OC'ing in one of the NPs before it was legal, fortunately for me the Ranger didn't noticed or didn't care.


Is anyone else on here ocing in SNP?

Yes, one member of this board even attempted to have a picinic in SNP a few weeks ago.
The family and I will get at least one more camping trip in before the snow starts to fall.


As for Bears, take Mr. Nap's advise.
Just yesterday, my dogs went crazy in the middle of the day as I looked out the window I spied a mother w/cubs heading into the brush just behind the house, she was headed to the lake for a swim.

Keep an eye on the Bears but don't let them worry you, there are things that pose a greater danger to park visitors.
 

Skeptic

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2007
Messages
585
Location
Goochland, Virginia, USA
lol, I thought this thread was like old CB lingo "Break 19 good buddy, this here's the Snowman, with a bear report, got a bear taking pictures down on Route 60 near the 522. Keep it under the double buffalo"
 

RetiredOC

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Dec 21, 2009
Messages
1,561
http://www.newsherald.com/news/riding-95156-bear-bicycle.html

Dude gets hit by a bear riding his bike to Tyndall AFB.

We have a lot of bear here on base, the best part is you're not allowed to carry a firearm to defend yourselves from bears when running on the trails. They're just bears with a good heart who are hanging around the wrong crowd, who are we to shoot them if they attack us while running on base? *face palm for military base policies*
 

t33j

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
1,384
Location
King George, VA
Anyways, it seems there are quite a few bears in SNP and GWNF, and while it seems the danger of a bear attack is rather low due to the generally timid nature of the black bears
Yes... I've chased after them.

Is anyone else on here ocing in SNP?
All the time since it's been legal, but not lately because of the heat. Nobody really seems to care including the rangers. icon14.png
 
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hermannr

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
2,327
Location
Okanogan Highland
If you advance toward a bear they will not think you are food, but a danger. Great big (400-500lbs) males might not back down, but the rest will. Absolutely never turn your back to a bear, (or a couger), and if mama has babies, back off from the babies (the babies will scoot up a tree if possible). A female bear with cubs will run over you to save her babies, but if the young are not in danger (you are not between her and them) she will send them up a tree and retreat.

I live with bears in my yard on a regular basis. Food oders are their normal attractors...and we are very particular with food and food oders...other than that, they normally do not want anything to do with you or your dog(s).

BTW: A doe can and will attack and can beat you up with their hooves if "defending" young. Actually, the deer will be more concerned with your dog, so be carefull if you hike with a dog where there are a lot of deer and it is that time of year for them to give birth to their young. If a doe attacks, let the dog loose, she will go after the dog.
 

ClumsyCandy

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2008
Messages
314
Location
Richmond, Virginia, USA
I had a full grown male RUN out in front of my car on my way home a couple of weeks ago. I was doing about 60 with all four windows down. My first thought was OMG, if I hit him, its going to total my car, piss him off and he's going to attack me through my open windows before I can even get my gun out from under my seat! Lucky for my front bumper he was running flat out and I missed him by INCHES. He was HUGE. Scared the daylights out of me. Think I even tinkled a little...:D Come to find out from a friend who lives about 1/2 a mile from where I missed him at, he's a local bear, been around since he was just knee high to a grass hopper. Goes by the name of Pooh. Now when I ride home with the windows down I keep the gun in the seat beside me, just in case he makes another run for it...
 

Kevin108

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2006
Messages
353
Location
Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Does anyone use CBs any more? Truckers?

TFred

Coincidental to the OP's hiking location, I offer a resounding yes. There are many offroad trails for 4x4 vehicles in the GWNF. Frequently those who travel in groups will install CBs to communicate with each other while deep in the woods. There may or may not be cell service there and addressing the entire group at once is beneficial in scenarios where help may be needed or advice on an obstacle offered.
 

peter nap

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
13,551
Location
Valhalla
Yes Sir, lots of entertaining times every year listening to CB.

Hunt Club President:
Bubba, you drive down the old road and see if any Deer run across. If you see that a$$ wit the BIG GUN, tell him you lookin fo yo dowgs....Over

Bubba:
I ain't goin down there. That man tell me he gonna shoot me the dowgs and burn my house down....Over
 

jmelvin

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
2,195
Location
Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
Yes Sir, lots of entertaining times every year listening to CB.

Hunt Club President:
Bubba, you drive down the old road and see if any Deer run across. If you see that a$$ wit the BIG GUN, tell him you lookin fo yo dowgs....Over

Bubba:
I ain't goin down there. That man tell me he gonna shoot me the dowgs and burn my house down....Over

At least they know what they have comin' to 'em. :D
 

carry for myself

Regular Member
Joined
May 1, 2011
Messages
544
Location
Maine
great looking black bears! i used to run into them alot when i lived in northern maine. few of them got really really really close a few times. but there are a few things you should know about blackbear incounters.

they are small. 200-260 max in most places. mostly foragers, not hunters *except for fish* diet of berrys leaves and roots.

not very territorial unless cubs are with them. if that is the case, get away silently and quickly becuase they will have a vicious response if they feel threatened.

they are faster than brown or grizzlies so if one charges, dont run! especially up a tree, they will follow. #2 most blackbear charges are false, they are just trying to see your reaction, if you run, they will chase, catch and maul you. stand your ground, make yourself look bigger and become very loud! odds are they will rear up about 10ft away, sniff, roar, hounch down and retreat if you dont move.

IF THEY DO ATTACK!!!.

black bears are not brown or grizzlies, and they ARE more vicious when fighting. few things to know


DO NOT PLAY DEAD! this only works with brown/grizzlies a blackbear eats carcases, so if you play dead it WILL KILL YOU.

FIGHT IT with everything you have, a rock a stick eye gouge do everything you can, its the fight of your life.

small caliber weapons will only piss it off, 9mm , 380........if thats all you have pick one spot on the animals body and pick away at it to create a very large wound. and prey it deters it.


dont ever believie you will "hear" a bear approaching, they can travel with speed bursts of 30mph silently, and if they are stalking. you WILL NOT hear them..

take note of the following signs

bee-hive looking skat filled with berries, twigs exct, if its arm a bear IS within 1000ft

broken twigs on the sides of bushes's trees, bears get itchy from bugs and rub purposefully against them to scratch,

well cleared paths through brush that the ground is not disturbed on , this is a good sign of a high traffic area for bears, their feet dont mar the ground but you will see a path where shoes have been.


most bears are more affraid of you then them. they will run away in MOST cases. if your going to take photos, turn off any "shutter effect" you have, and turn off the flash, it will startle them. get your photo and move on quickly. dont EVER approach cubs, and stay away in mating season. :)


hope this helps all you nature friendly people, and remember bear spray IS 10x more effective than your sidearm :)

other than that usually they will keep their distance.
 

sst0185

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2010
Messages
120
Location
Va Beach
That was the best post I have read about black bears!

I have had 3 or 4 black bear encounters in VA, all during the day when hiking and once on my ATV. They really did not even pay me any mind just went on their way across the trail in front of me, no closer than 25-30 yards.

Due to the increasing bear population I will be picking up the bear spray before my next trip, just in case.

As always I will also have my scandium alloy .357 magnum, or my 10mm. More for the 2 legged creatures though.
 
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