When I go hiking over in Red River Gorge or Bernheim Forest, I always carry my 1911. Especially after the husband of one of my sister's coworkers was mauled by a black bear last June.
Posted on 08/08/2011 5:44:45 PM PDT by marktwain
(WEST GLACIER)- Glacier National Park rangers have closed the popular trial to Piegan Pass while rangers investigate the latest grizzly attack in the park.
The 50-year man was hiking the trail alone from Many Glacier to Piegan Pass when he rounded a corner and surprised the sow and another small bear. Rangers say the hiker was carrying bear spray but was unable to use it before the bear was on him.
The hiker sustained bites to his left thigh and left forearm, before the bear grabbed his foot, shook him, released him and left.
The man was able to hike back to Many Glacier, where he came upon a naturalist leading a hike who was able to call other rangers for help. He was treated at the Many Glacier Ranger Station and then taken to the Blackfeet Community Hospital in Browning for additional treatment before being released.
Initial reports indicated the hiker was making noise as he hiked.
The trail from Piegan Pass to Feather Plum Falls is closed at this time, and rangers are investigating the incident.
All visitors to Glacier National Park are reminded that the park is home to black and grizzly bears. Hikers are advised to carry bear spray, and know how to use it. Hikers are also encouraged to hike in groups and make noise when hiking.
Bear spray my lily white arse.
.454 Casull, or be et. Sorry about the cubs. Maybe we can adopt them out at the SPCA.
Not meaning to be too nitpicky, but shouldn't this read, " . . . the popular trail . . . ", not trial? Or has our overly litigious society also invaded journalism?
How about going for a walk where there are no bears. Damn commons sense helps.
When I go hiking over in Red River Gorge or Bernheim Forest, I always carry my 1911. Especially after the husband of one of my sister's coworkers was mauled by a black bear last June.
I lurve me some 1911, but I don’t know if that thing will get ‘er done, for sure. But, a good choice nonetheless.
Here is a good article on all that bear stuff:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/protection_field.htm
I know that that is the standard-issue FR response to this sort of thing (and I have used it, too), but I'm starting to think that just maybe people ought to stay out of bear habitat. That certainly would cause the cessation of these kind of stories.
No such thing around here... unless you are suggesting we should all just cower in town...
If I ever head out west, I’d look for something with a little more oomph. But my 1911 should be able to handle the black bears here in Kentucky without too much trouble.
I see you missed out on the common sense part. Let’s try it this way, look at a map of the good old USA, now mark the places where there are. Grizzly bears. Now mark the places where there are no bears, see, you have more than enough space to walk yourself to death and never ever see a bear. No problem. Same thing as saying if you stick you foot in a gators mouth you have no reason to bitch if he bites you. It is also like the farmer telling the government man to show the bull his card.
Avoid bears boys, avoid bears.
If he didn't have time to use the bear spray then how could he have gotten on target with some BFG?
After reading these stories, I think I'd want a 'coach gun' on a sling. With the bear's breath on me, I might just get off two slugs into its neck.
And avoid bathing 29 days out of the month! Thats the most important!
Right on, that is a beautiful piece.
Stay safe FReeper.
CC
I think that a magazine with three or four CCI Blazer Shotshell, 45 ACP, 117 Grain, #9 Shot alternately loaded with might be a good idea.
My reasoning behind this is that my experience with large animals has taught me to never touch their eyes unless you have them sufficiently tied down. I have seen a horse try to move the entire tail end of the barn off the foundation if you attempt to remove a cotton burr that is digging in her eyeball. Unless you have cows in the squeezer, don’t ever mess with their eyes. They do not like that stuff no matter how sweetly you talk to them.
I’m thinking that just one or two of those 117 #9 shots in the eye or up the nose might go a long way to convincing the bear that s/he might be wiser to go and chase something else.
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