Searching for "Ask_A_Bear"

Ask A Bear: What Color Are Your Eyes At Night?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: At night, with an LED flashlight, what color are your eyes, Mr. Brown Bear? How about your cousin Mr. Black?—Rick Guidos, via email

A: Was that you shining a flashlight into my eyes the other night? If so, you're in big trouble, Mister. Read Full Story...

Wednesday, December 15, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Are You A Picky Eater? (VIDEO)

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: In September, a 400-or-so pound black bear came into my backyard and sat by the huge pile of shelled corn I'd put out for the deer. He sat there for a good half hour, sitting in the sun, posing for pictures on the stealth cam, and basking in his own beauty, but he didn't eat a single kernel (see above).

In December, however, he came back and bent steel to get at the itty-bitty little thistle seed in my feeder. I don't understand how those tiny seeds can be so filling, while he snubbed his nose at the trough of sumptuous corn. Can you explain why the black bears don't seem the least bit interested in corn piles, but can't seem to get enough of millet? —Jenny Mount, Oxford, NJ

A: First of all Jenny, let's take a look at my cousin raiding your feeder on video: Read Full Story...

Wednesday, December 08, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Bear Canisters in Winter?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: I'm planning on doing some winter camping this year, and I wanted to know if it's still necessary to use a bear canister during colder months. I've heard that bears are not true hibernators, and I didn't know if one may wake up if they could smell the food. I live in Pennsylvania if that makes a difference.—Michael Daubert, via email.

A: As in so many things regarding me ad my furry kin, the answer is "that depends." While it's correct that I'm not a true hibernator, my actual behavior changes greatly depending on my species and where I live. Read Full Story...

Wednesday, December 01, 2010 in: Ask A Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Why Did You Destroy My Van?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: While in Lake Tahoe, I woke up at 5:30 or so to my minivan's hazard lights flashing. After rallying the troops out the door, we were greeted with one big black bear crawling out the driver side window with two little ones in tow. There were two other vehicles explored in the drive way, but their doors were unlocked and therefore not pawed open Why in the hell did you have to destroy my minivan?? —Eryka Thorley, via email

A: Let's take a look at the damage: Read Full Story...

Friday, November 05, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Will A Flashlight Make You Mad?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: If I come across you at night, will my light get you mad? Should I immediately turn it off?—Mike DeCicco, Grass Valley, CA

A: Scared of sleeping in my backyard without a nightlight, eh? You're certainly not alone—and since you have much weaker senses of smell and hearing to navigate around at night, you'd best not forget the flashlight or headlamp. Read Full Story...

Wednesday, November 03, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Would A Bear Buy This Back Scratcher?

Balloon Boy's father, Richard Heene, returns with the Bear Scratch

The obvious answer is no: I wouldn't buy a Bear Scratch because let's face it, I've got a million trees to choose from, whenever I want. But that's not going to stop you humans from trying. To wit, Richard Heene, (in)famous father of Balloon Boy Falcon, has decided to make another grab for the spotlight with his Patent-Pending Bear Scratch. And yes, it's essentially a piece of glazed wood with brackets to attach to your house.

But don't take it from me—let a terrifyingly exuberant Heene explain this high-tech gadget in this video: Read Full Story...

Thursday, October 28, 2010 in: News and Events, Weird and Funny, Ask A Bear

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Ask A Bear: More Active During A Full Moon?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: I have theorized that bear activity is significantly greater on nights with a full moon than on nights under a new moon. And as a corollary there would be greater activity on first quarter evenings than mornings and greater on last quarter mornings than evenings. Can you confirm or deny these allegations? —Alan A. Vetter, via email

A: Surprisingly enough, your idea that my behavior is influenced by lunar activity isn't loony—but you've got it backwards. Read Full Story...

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Do I Need to Bear-Bag Unopened Freeze-Dried Foods?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: Is it necessary to bear bag freeze-dried food if the package is not opened?—Rob, via email

A: You humans...always wanting to take the easy way out. Truth is, even if a package of freeze-dried food hasn't been opened, there are a few reasons why you'll want to store it in a bear bag or canister anyway.
Read Full Story...

Wednesday, October 06, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Break A Stick to Scare Away Bears?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: I read that breaking a stick scares away bears. Is that true?—Jim K., via email

A: You humans and your reading. Sometimes I think your higher intelligence gets you into more trouble than its worth—give me a sunny day, a field full of berries, and a river loaded with salmon, and I'm happy. Read Full Story...

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Never Look A Bear In the Eyes?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: I heard that you are never supposed to look a bear in the eyes. Is that true?—Jim, Phoenix, Ariz., via email

A: Are you lookin' at me? I said, 'are you lookin' at me?! Do I look like a just a big, fluffy stuffed animal to you?! Read Full Story...

Wednesday, September 15, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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