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Backpacker Magazine – January 2012
True Tales: Charged by a 500-Pound Grizzly
A charging grizzly comes too close for this reader's comfort.
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Tags:
- Reader Stories |
- Wildlife |
- Survival |
Caught in a Flash Flood | Uncontrolled Slide Down an Icy Slope
Charged by a 500-Pound Grizzly | Flipped, Soaked, and Freezing
Can't Breathe at High Altitude | Struck by Lightning
Charged by a 500-Pound Grizzly | Flipped, Soaked, and Freezing
Can't Breathe at High Altitude | Struck by Lightning
Survivor Adam Shinn, 31, Boulder, Colorado
Predicament Close-range encounter in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Lesson learned “In bruin country, everyone should pack—and know how to use—a canister of bear spray.”
Escape Plan: Use Bear Spray Safely
"Three of us hiked eight miles into the Lamar Valley for a springtime fishing extravaganza on Pebble Creek. When it was time to hike home, we spoke loudly as we traversed bear country—open meadows and thick forests. Three miles from camp, we cruised into a field of tall grass and flowers—and spotted a full-grown grizzly.
"We froze. Speaking directly to the bear in calm voices, we backed away slowly. But he charged anyway, huffing and grunting as he ran, closing the 100-foot gap between us in seconds. I was ready with bear spray, and I squeezed the trigger, emptying my canister, as my companions dropped to the ground.
"The spray stopped him, but only briefly. He made another run toward us from just 30 feet away. A cloud of deterrent hung in the air; when he hit it, he turned, and sprinted into the forest. Thankfully we didn’t encounter another bear—without more spray we would have been easy targets for an attack.
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READERS COMMENTS
you know, my hubby and I visited Yellowstone and we did a bunch of short hikes. We foolishly did NOT bring bear spray... I think we were pretty dumb. Just because we don't do back country, doesn't mean you won't encounter one on such trails like to Hell Roaring or some of the others you don't see many people on! wow! I will never ever go there again without spray.
Posted: Mar 16, 2012 Debra S
I used The Force.
Posted: Feb 14, 2012 Sean
I used The Force.
Posted: Feb 14, 2012 Sean
Pack a gun and not seasoning.
Posted: Feb 11, 2012 Always prepared
Pack a gun and not seasoning.
Posted: Feb 11, 2012 Always prepared
Posted: Feb 10, 2012 Anonymous
I was charged by a bear while living in the Amarkantak Jungle of Central India in 1991.It was a moonlit night in the hottest and driest time of year, before the monsoons flood the jungles.
I was warned that the bears- black bear size- were restless this time of year but I could not resist the lure of a moonlit jungle in one of the most sacred areas of India where ancient Vedic Sages had kept their ashrams from time immemorial.
Sure enough as predicted a bear jumped up and charged from 40 meters and my natural reaction is all that saved me, as my awareness immediately went into a state of intense silence that seemed to stop the charging bear in his tracks- I practiced Transcendental Meditation for 20 years. The bear held perfectly still and stared at me for some time- then shook his head gentle accepting me in the jungle, and turned and walked off.
Posted: Feb 10, 2012 Stephen Ulicny. Fairfield ,IA
I was charged by a bear while living in the Amarkantak Jungle of Central India in 1991.It was a moonlit night in the hottest and driest time of year, before the monsoons flood the jungles.
I was warned that the bears- black bear size- were restless this time of year but I could not resist the lure of a moonlit jungle in one of the most sacred areas of India where ancient Vedic Sages had kept their ashrams from time immemorial.
Sure enough as predicted a bear jumped up and charged from 40 meters and my natural reaction is all that saved me, as my awareness immediately went into a state of intense silence that seemed to stop the charging bear in his tracks- I practiced Transcendental Meditation for 20 years. The bear held perfectly still and stared at me for some time- then shook his head gentle accepting me in the jungle, and turned and walked off.
Posted: Feb 10, 2012 Stephen Ulicny. Fairfield ,IA
seems a friend also uses fire crackers, he stated they run away very quickly. just didn't work on a skunk, the skunk still came through the cloud of smoke after him
Posted: Feb 10, 2012 billy
I've had many bear encounters...however never has one charged me. Despite my good fortune, I'm always prepared with spray...check out my research at my BLOG POST http://www.campology.ca/campologist_talk/carry-bear-spray-when-on-the-trail/
Posted: Feb 10, 2012 Campologist
Glad you had time to weigh him!
Posted: Feb 10, 2012 Greg
You weighed him?--gb
Posted: Feb 10, 2012 Anonymous
That's a risk I am not willing to take (hope the bear runs away before my spray runs out). But I'd still be packing alright.
Posted: Feb 10, 2012 VB
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