Bears!

[SkierBob]

I still can't understand why anyone would (or would be allowed to) sleep outside of a tent (yes I know tents aren't bear proof) when there are bears showing up in a campground.  You stated that you shooed away a couple of bears throughout the evening so you guys knew they were hanging around.  For instance in Yellowstone, where bears come through the campgrounds, they will not allow any soft sided tents to be put up, you either have to be in a trailer, a truck with a camper shell, or a RV. It is just such a sad ordeal that a bear was killed when it could of been prevented.

Bears in California are nothing more then big rats, nothing really to worry about unless cornered.  About the only exception is if you're in a confrontation with a mama bear and cubs, which could turn into a death sentence for the human,, then the bear.

I'm more concerned of Mountain Lions..

two summers ago I got to go with a group of biologist taging bears in Ak.  A lot of the bears we tagged had never seen humans before,, they looked at us and we could see them thinking 'is this food'?   

[Tomas]

As stated before, it is very common practice. There are some additional precautions you must take but sleeping on the ground does not invite bears, food invites them tent or no tent.

The reason rules are more stringent at Yellowstone is because they have Brown Bears (Grizzlies.) Grizzlies are far more territorial and aggressive than Black Bears.

This is one reason why you need to "know before you go." Comparing Black Bears to Brown Bears is like comparing Labradors to Pit Bulls. They are all great animals but we need to know how to properly handle encounters with them.

[SkierBob]

I'll tell you one thing that's more intimitating then a brown bear when hiking and sleeping outside,, that's a Wolverine.  Nastiest most unfriendly animal I've ever crossed paths with.    The Grizzlys will tend to leave you alone when there's plenty of fish to eat. But the Wolverines will run 1/2 mile across a meadow just to give you a bad time.  We'll usually throw rocks at them to scare them off, but you never put your gun down.

A Wolverine is about the same size as a medium to large dog but  has a reputation for ferocity and strength out of proportion to its size.  They can easily take down a moose.   

[Tomas]

No doubt SB!

And to tell you the truth, around here, I'm more worried about a rattlesnake looking to me for warmth than a bear looking for food.

[SkierBob]

No doubt SB!

And to tell you the truth, around here, I'm more worried about a rattlesnake looking to me for warmth than a bear looking for food.

I agree, odds are pretty good of having an unfavorable incounter with a rattlesnake before a bear in our neck of the woods.

 
List of fatal bear attacks in North America
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America

[hikin_jim]

I still can't understand why anyone would (or would be allowed to) sleep outside of a tent (yes I know tents aren't bear proof) when there are bears showing up in a campground. 

You've answered your own question.  A tent might psychologically make you feel better, but it doesn't give you one ounce of real protection.  In fact, if a bear does bust in, you're trapped whereas if you're sleeping outside, then at least you can get out of the bear's way if he's coming after food/food smells. 

Don't sneak that midnight snack into your bag with you!

[SkierBob]

I don't want to share a tent with a curious bear that's for sure..

I've only hiked with a tent in mid winter conditions.  Normally I prefer a large tarp, or a couple of large tarps.  The tarp can be put in many different positions making for a much more comfortable camp.  Normally we don't set the tarp up unless we think we might get a little rain or snow. 

Another reason for a tent might be misquitos, but personally after seeing Misquitos black out the sun to the point that I can't breath without a net over my face in Ak. and being bit until I'm 'bug doped' they haven't bothered me here in California. 

[SkierBob]

I saw on the news last night where there is a campground in the San Bernardino Forest that has been closed due to bears.  The video showed a bear standing on a picnic table eating campers food in broad daylight while the campers stood around and watched.  It was pretty disturbing.

The thing with bears is you can never let them get to your food.  Once they've put their teeth in your food it becomes their food and they'll fight you for it.  Prior to them eating your snacks you can always scare them off.  Once they've tasted your goodies you can hit them in the head with a rock and they'll either keep eating or charge you.

I did a search for the news bit on the web and didn't find it. But someone in the Forest  Service may know more about this

[CA5th]

From the USFS San Bernardino National Forest website:
Front Country Ranger District (Lytle Creek-Cajon Pass-San Gorgonio Wilderness)

The Falls Picnic Area (Forest Falls) Closed until further notice - The Forest Falls Recreation Area and the Vivian Creek Trailhead are closed until further notice. This temporary closure is due to increased bear activity causing a potential safety issue/conflict. The area will re-open when the bear is captured and relocated by the California Department of Fish and Game. For more information please contact the California Department of Fish and Game 909-484-0167 or Mill Creek Ranger Station 909-382-2882

[SkierBob]

From the USFS San Bernardino National Forest website:
Front Country Ranger District (Lytle Creek-Cajon Pass-San Gorgonio Wilderness)

The Falls Picnic Area (Forest Falls) Closed until further notice -

That's it!

[Bob C]

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=6916954

(and when you watch the video, you'll see more stupidity on the part of "campers", who are just helping to guarantee a death sentense for the bear. I wish Forest Service could tranquilize the stupid campers, and re-locate them permanently)

[Nolena]

"I wish Forest Service could tranquilize the stupid campers, and re-locate them permanently"

Me, too.  (Although that would probably be Fish & Game, I'm thinkin', or maybe "Fish, Game, and Idiots")

[quadriders]

we had a bear on our street tuesday night~  Im on Virginia
when we chose to live in the mountains we knew that the bears were here first

[WWMtnGal]

"I wish Forest Service could tranquilize the stupid campers, and re-locate them permanently"

Me, too.  (Although that would probably be Fish & Game, I'm thinkin', or maybe "Fish, Game, and Idiots")

Now that is funny!

[SkierBob]

Mammoth Bear's Bad Behavior May Bring Her Down

"Things aren't looking too good for blondie," announced the Town's Wildlife Management Specialist Steve Searles at the July 15 Town Council meeting.

He was referring to a very active, originally strawberry blonde but slowly getting darker as she gets older, bear. Due to her distinct color and her habituated nature, this bear has been able to get away with a lot. She was around last year as a 40-pound youngster and made it through the winter to return as a 120-pound troublemaker.

According to Searles, the bear had been in 12 kitchens in 14 days. In all of the break-ins, no one has asked for the bear to be destroyed, but nonetheless, she is turning into a problem. Meetings with the powers that be, most likely the Department of Fish and Game but Searles did not specify, will occur next week to determine her fate.

"It's no one's fault," Searles said. "If we lose the bear it is because of our kindness." He added that he would like to keep the bear around but wanted to be honest with the community about her potential fate.

Searles recommended scaring the blonde bear, or any bear, away from your home if they enter or come near... after you get your picture, of course

http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/eastern-sierra-news/2289-mammoth-bears-bad-behavior-may-bring-her-down

[SkierBob]

  more bear stories 

Forest Service Denies Mammoth Bear Manager Access to Forest Land



 Mammoth's Bear Program, fraught with controversies over the years, has run into one more snag.  Forest Service personnel have problems with Steve Searles' work on Forest land. One Forest Law Enforcement Officer said that if her fellow officer had seen Searles at work with his hazing guns, she might have shot him.

Tensions over Searles unique work are not new, but Forest Service anxiety only recently surfaced. Seems federal regulations do not allow non-law enforcement to discharge firearms and that includes Searles flash-bang hazing techniques to manage bears. So Forest Law Enforcement want to be called in

At a recent meeting at the town conference room in Mammoth, Forest Service personnel sat down with Town Council members, police and Searles.  Councilman Skip Harvey said the Forest Service wants to be notified when Searles deals with bears on Forest land.  Easier said than done since bears frequently go from town to forest and back to town land.

Council member Wendy Sugimura said she thinks the Forest Service has a new focus on law enforcement since they hired two new officers.  Both Harvey and Sugimura feel all of this can eventually work out.

The bottom line - the Forest Service wants Searles to notify them when he crosses onto Forest land.  In the fray of bear taming, stopping to notify bureaucrats and waiting for their arrival may put a crimp in effective bear management.

We placed a call to Deputy District Ranger Mike Schlafman of the Foerst Service and await his response
http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/eastern-sierra-news/2314-forest-service-denies-mammoth-bear-manager-access-to-forest-land

[angelwolf326]

First off, I am glad the boy is okay.  That is the ONLY good thing of this whole mess.

But, this statement pisses me off!

A little slip like a packet of sugar happens to us all.  It's not good, but that's the way life is.

Not for the bear, he is dead because of a little slip like that. 

It seems if they were all regular campers they would not make a slip like that, especially when the bears were coming around all those times that night.  Seems like they should have thoroughly checked the camp, the bags, the kids to prevent further visits from the bears.

That carelessness cost the young bear it's life.

This is sad.

[capn mom]

Large black bear in the neighborhood of Partridge and Pine.  As we speak he is eating my trash in the wash.  Very clever guy, stands up and pushes the cans over to pop the lids.  And he is taller than 6'...

[ChrisLynnet]

First off, I am glad the boy is okay.  That is the ONLY good thing of this whole mess. But, this statement pisses me off!

A little slip like a packet of sugar happens to us all.  It's not good, but that's the way life is.

Not for the bear, he is dead because of a little slip like that. 

This is exactly the way I feel, well said.

[ChrisLynnet]

Large black bear in the neighborhood of Partridge and Pine.  As we speak he is eating my trash in the wash.  Very clever guy, stands up and pushes the cans over to pop the lids.  And he is taller than 6'...

Yikes!!