Now even cycling gets you killed

By ignorant user I mean folks that may doing activities (a la bicycling) that may put them in a position to be vulnerable be that person a USFS person on a bicycle or an urban dweller on vacation. The wilderness is not a place to be unaware regardless of profession, skills or lack thereof.

Hike, stroll or BICYCLE at your own risk but do not punish the natural inhabitants because of man's intrusions or activities whether it be on 2 feet or 2 wheels.

d3500ram wrote:

I have been in many close encounters with deer, elk as well as black bear, moose and mountain lion. Knowing their attitudes and how to react is half the battle. The bicyclist was intruding on natural territory. The risks are there. Do not punish nature because of ignorant users.

The victim in this incident was a USFS law enforcement officer. I highly doubt he was an "ignorant user".

2gypsies wrote:
Your weapon would have only made the bear madder!

Not if the shot is on the money.

I have read the various stories on the 'net about this occurrence. "Officials" state that determination of possible euthanization may be based on "what will be done to the bear if it is found. They are trying to determine if it was a mother with cubs, whether it was protecting a food cache nearby or whether it simply reacted to the sudden appearance of the bikers, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim said."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/grizzly-kills-mountain-biker-near-glacier-national-park-062413204.html

In my opinions, NOTHING should be done to the bear. The ne'er-do-wells who bark and complain about man's infringment and affect on wildlife I would think would agree with my position. Ursa was only doing what is natural... and if man is going to be in the same preserved locations then man should not complain. Nor should there be any recourse should man defend himself (in whatever manner) if there should be a fight for life on either;s part.

I carry when in the backwoods. I also bring pepper spray. But one must be cognizant of wind when using an aerosol deterrent. At close range, a hand gun or long gun with gusts may be more appropriate.

I have been in many close encounters with deer, elk as well as black bear, moose and mountain lion. Knowing their attitudes and how to react is half the battle. The bicyclist was intruding on natural territory. The risks are there. Do not punish nature because of ignorant users.

Your weapon would have only made the bear madder!

coolbreeze01 wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
Wife and I came up on a Black bear two years ago mtn biking near Sisters Oregon. The wife was further back and didn't see it as I came around a corner all I saw was the rear end hauling a$$ away from me. The bear was I'm guessing either getting a drink form a small stream or eating. Needless to say I think both of us were startled. I was concerned at the time that it could've been mom and a sow or two. Ever since then we start ringing the bells on the bikes way ahead of that area.
I do carry, but I don't think I would've had time to grab it. It was probably 50' away.

Thank-you for not wounding a bear that didn't hurt you. The U.S. Park Service needs your common sense.

I had no intentions of pulling my weapon. I think the bear was definitely the more afraid at the moment. If it would've been running at me when I rounded the corner then things could've gotten ugly. Probably for me as no way can I get my weapon out of my fanny pack that fast while trying to stop my bike. Honestly that's the 1st bear I've seen on a dead scared run. It was way faster than I thought it would be.

goducks10 wrote:
Wife and I came up on a Black bear two years ago mtn biking near Sisters Oregon. The wife was further back and didn't see it as I came around a corner all I saw was the rear end hauling a$$ away from me. The bear was I'm guessing either getting a drink form a small stream or eating. Needless to say I think both of us were startled. I was concerned at the time that it could've been mom and a sow or two. Ever since then we start ringing the bells on the bikes way ahead of that area.
I do carry, but I don't think I would've had time to grab it. It was probably 50' away.

Thank-you for not wounding a bear that didn't hurt you. The U.S. Park Service needs your common sense.

Wife and I came up on a Black bear two years ago mtn biking near Sisters Oregon. The wife was further back and didn't see it as I came around a corner all I saw was the rear end hauling a$$ away from me. The bear was I'm guessing either getting a drink form a small stream or eating. Needless to say I think both of us were startled. I was concerned at the time that it could've been mom and a sow or two. Ever since then we start ringing the bells on the bikes way ahead of that area.
I do carry, but I don't think I would've had time to grab it. It was probably 50' away.

The original news story was that they surprised the sow with two cubs....the element of surprise and cubs are the key to this tragedy. Experienced hikers know how to pre-warn a bear that you're coming. I wonder if these experienced rangers did so.

Normally bears have very good hearing and will run away from approaching noise. However, mountain bicycles are very quiet and move very quickly especially downhill. I’m not surprised that the cyclist got close enough to the bear and surprised him. I’m sure the bear was only defending himself. My sympathies to the cyclist’s family.

As a lesson to us – make noise when hiking trails.

Sorry for the family and friends of the deceased but also the innocent bears that will be killed as they try to find the guilty one.
What a shame.