Quote:
Originally Posted by UTTransplant
The poor guy who died in this attack had pulled his bear spray out and armed it, but didn’t have time to deploy. Bears are FAST, and they don’t give you much time.
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Yep, in most of the cases we provided rabies prophylaxis recommendations after attacks, that was the case, most often hunters going after their own kills.
One piece of advice is that you do NOT go anywhere near a recently killed animal of any sort. Warn your children as their curiosity will often lead them (especially boys) toward that foul smell. That is another animal's food source. Immediately get as far away from something like that as you can. AND look around if you smell it. Tell a ranger if you are in that type of setting. They also know that the bears are drawn and then become extremely possessive. Same with cubs. If you see cubs get away from them as fast as possible as their own curiosity can draw them and their protective mother toward you... She is ALWAYS close.
Seriously, if you are going into the wild and that includes parks and National Forests, you need to have a discussion with your children AND the mirror. This ain't your neighborhood, it's the animals and you as a "civilized" human being have absolutely no concept of what that means.
I like living up here partly because of that wildness but you definitely need to change your point of view in recognition that at any given point in time when you are away from a city or town you may not be the top predator and in fact can be prey. City folk, NEVER realize it until it is too late. You are about 200 generations removed from that particular threat.
It is a subtle distinction but one to never forget. You stimulus generalize it, and adapt, but it makes you a bit different in your awareness levels. AND, especially if you have small kids or four legged children, increasing populations of mountain lions can be just as dangerous as a bear. A five year old wandering around is a snack to a 175 lb. mountain lion. And by wandering, I mean 20 feet away. The cat is looking at whether it can kill it and get away before the parent animal can react. Perfect... And it can happen in seconds and you never see them coming at all... A friend from a local bar came in one day a bit upset. He has a limp but still hikes. He sat down on a rock on a trail and looked up to see one in a tree getting in that hunch just before attacking. He yelled and waved his walking stick and it ran. His limp told the animal that he was potential prey. That's they way they think. He dropped his bear spray as he partially panicked and he was a local who knows the dangers just like that guide. It's a state of mind. That cat had to have stalked him prior to a contemplated attack.
I have been followed by them as they are curious and opportunistic and my big dogs knew something was up but not what exactly... They are preternatural and even know to keep down wind from potential prey. The sign at the END of the trail was no help. A flash of tawny tan was all you get. I get the dogs on a leash. One big dog can be prey, two is NOT worth it to most cats. A little yappity dog doesn't stand a chance. I wouldn't even bring one if you can avoid it. Oh, and moose can be the worst...They are huge... It might seem like it, but this IS NOT Disneyland.
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