[Arthalion]

The California Grizzly was one of the largest and most aggressive subspecies of grizzly in the U.S., and there are numerous historical references to them killing and eating black bears. Since the California Grizzly was a lowland bear that preferred the scrublands, Central Valley, and foothills over the High Sierra's, I'd assume that they were pretty much the only thing keeping the black bears out of those areas.

In my experience, by the way, black bears are rather cowardly. I've run across countless blacks while hiking in the Sierras, and all but one have run at the first sight of me. The one bear that DID decide to charge me reconsidered it after I put a .45 in his side. Didn't kill it (right away anyway, I assume it probably died later), but it quickly abandoned its charge and make a run for the nearest underbrush.

[Carry_Okie]

The California Grizzly was one of the largest and most aggressive subspecies of grizzly in the U.S., and there are numerous historical references to them killing and eating black bears. Since the California Grizzly was a lowland bear that preferred the scrublands, Central Valley, and foothills over the High Sierra's, I'd assume that they were pretty much the only thing keeping the black bears out of those areas.

Precisely my inference.

In my experience, by the way, black bears are rather cowardly. I've run across countless blacks while hiking in the Sierras, and all but one have run at the first sight of me. The one bear that DID decide to charge me reconsidered it after I put a .45 in his side. Didn't kill it (right away anyway, I assume it probably died later), but it quickly abandoned its charge and make a run for the nearest underbrush.

Also correct (in word and deed :-), but try that in Yosemite and you will quickly learn what the real dangers in the woods really are.