On the news: bear attack
Please excuse if this has been posted before: Bear attacks travel trailer with family inside
Forum Discussion
I don't believe a bear will stalk and kill for no reason. Bears are motivated by three things, food, self preservation, and protection of their young. Because of stupid human behavior, bears learn to associate humans with food.
I have been around bears many times in campgrounds and in the wild and have never felt in danger. For the most part bears want to avoid humans unless they have learned the food/human association.
On the other hand I have had many close calls with family pets that "Fido would never harm anyone". While on the trail earlier this year in PA I came very close to shooting a dog that was off leash and approaching me very aggressively. When the owner finally caught up to and restrained the dog there wasn't even an apology. The girl had no idea how close her dog came to getting shot.
In another instance on a trail near home an off leash dog charged me three times but the owner did nothing but call the dog back. The owner never did leash the dog. I considered confronting the owner but thought better of it, you can't change stupid.
Family pets attack, maim, and kill more people every year than wild animals.
1. Do yourself and your pet a favor, please keep them on a leash and under your control.
2. Don't teach wild animals to associate humans with food. Keep your campsite clean, carry out all waste, and minimize odors.
I have been around bears many times in campgrounds and in the wild and have never felt in danger. For the most part bears want to avoid humans unless they have learned the food/human association.
On the other hand I have had many close calls with family pets that "Fido would never harm anyone". While on the trail earlier this year in PA I came very close to shooting a dog that was off leash and approaching me very aggressively. When the owner finally caught up to and restrained the dog there wasn't even an apology. The girl had no idea how close her dog came to getting shot.
In another instance on a trail near home an off leash dog charged me three times but the owner did nothing but call the dog back. The owner never did leash the dog. I considered confronting the owner but thought better of it, you can't change stupid.
Family pets attack, maim, and kill more people every year than wild animals.
1. Do yourself and your pet a favor, please keep them on a leash and under your control.
2. Don't teach wild animals to associate humans with food. Keep your campsite clean, carry out all waste, and minimize odors.
