Bears In The News

[AZLOT69]

Eight Foraging Bears Killed In Tahoe


Posted: 9:44 am PDT June 11, 2010
Updated: 10:02 am PDT June 11, 2010

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. -- The heavy snow and lingering winter conditions in the Sierra are forcing black bears into the valleys around Lake Tahoe, where an unusually large number of them have had to be put to death in recent weeks.

Nevada Department of Wildlife biologist Carl Lackey says officials already killed eight bears this spring, compared with a typical death toll of just one or two by this time.

"I attribute that to the late winter weather conditions," he said.

Unlocked food or trash lures the bears into trouble in cars and homes. Adding to the problem, Lackey said, is Washoe County has no ordinance requiring bear-proof trash receptacles.

Hot spots are centered near South Lake Tahoe, Tahoma and Highway 89 near the Squaw Valley and Alpine ski resorts.

Cristen Langner, a wildlife biologist for California Fish and Game, said the California side of the Tahoe basin has had three permitted bear deaths this year, which is not uncommon for this time. Each of the deaths was also a result of residents not locking up food trash or food, she said.

Langner echoed Lackey's words of caution and said residents should always be bear-aware and keep doors locked and food secure.

"The big thing is that every time these bears are successful (finding stored trash or food) it just reinforces that behavior," she said.

Ann Bryant, president of the Homewood-based BEAR League, said she's concerned about the death toll.

"I'm pretty shocked because it's only going to get worse as the season goes on," she said.

Bryant said based on calls, sightings and onsite observations, the BEAR League has observed more newborns this year than any other, as well as an increased number of sightings and conflicts.

Usually bears aren't spotted out of hibernation until May or June, Bryant said, but she's seen them as early as March and April this year.

[Alston_Neal]

Back in our fledgling days of camping in remote areas of the San Juans I traded for a Smith and Wesson Model 59 9mm 14 round mag for bear protection. I told my older and wiser cousin about my prized pistola choice and his reply was...So you want the bear to be really pissed off now?

[Pivo]

.357 magnum for all hikes
.44 magnum while hiking in grizzly or moose country

Three hundred fifty seven one thousand of an inch. Check.
Next summer am bringing my Four hundred forty four thousand of an inch too, for Wydaho and Montana.

In my .357 first two cylinders are staged with CCI Big 4 shot shells, after an encounter with a rabid gray fox. I was unable to safely shoot because, we had two hikers parallel to us on a switchback.

Big 4 review: [ youtube video ]
Interesting results.

[Pivo]

The big thing is that every time these bears are successful (finding stored trash or food) it just reinforces that behavior," she said.

Interesting video at the Grizzly Bear Proving grounds. Manufacturers pay to have their coolers, trash cans tested with live and very experienced Grizzly bears.
[ youtube video ]

[LosDosSloFolks]

Next summer am bringing my Four hundred forty four thousand of an inch

I used to reload my practice ammo and remember that 44's are actually .429"
Those shotshells for handguns are handy. I found that they fouled the bore rather quickly however. YMMV.

[Alston_Neal]

The birdshot/snakeshot rounds are good to have in the first cylinders. But I haven't found birdshot rounds for my AK-47, apparently not a popular birding rifle..

[Pivo]

I found that they fouled the bore rather quickly however.

The CCI Big 4’s would only be used as needed; that would NOT include shooting snakes. Hopefully I never have another rabid animal attack me again.

[azbackpackr]

@AugustWest
Me, too! 1000 miles oughta work.

[tibber]

Lots of bear activity almost everywhere we were in Glacier Park. Talked to a Glacier guide and he says it's been more intense than usual.

Had a ranger stationed at the Granite Park Chalet one day due to extreme activity (including charges) at the backcountry campsite just below the Chalet.

EACH of us ALWAYS carry bear spray, even between different parts of the backcountry site and day hiking.

[Pivo]

@tibber Even when going potty poops too.

[Pivo]

Details regarding the rescue and investigation into the grizzly bear mauling of a 40-year-old West Yellowstone, Montana, man in April have been published in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fatality report, yet some questions remain unanswered.


https://www.yahoo.com/news/report-fatal ... 00173.html

[Pivo]

Grizzly charges hiker walking alone in dense fog at Alaska national park, rangers say

https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/nat ... =mainstage

[Pivo]

I have some non-hiking friends that eat close to that amount.

[The_Dude]

@Pivo
Boy, that is a fast food/junk food royal sampler.

[Pivo]

Bear Rips Door Off Lamborghini Huracan

[xsproutx]

@Pivo
That's what he gets for not properly hanging it

[Pivo]

@xsproutx
That's what he gets having a pet bear.

[xsproutx]

@Pivo
Even if you have a pet bear, you should properly hang your lambo or risk the wrath of bear hang nazis

[outdoor_lover]

Well he just rewarded the bear with food for ripping his door off.

[LosDosSloFolks]

Tagging black bears...
This video is over 10 years old but still worth a watch. It always seems to bring a chuckle.

[ youtube video ]

[Nighthiker]

Hopefully a bear does not tag me.