JRP Posted June 30, 2016 Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 The question comes up here occasionally about how real the threat of bears is, in the areas we travel. Just outside West Glacier Mt, not far from the Glacier KOA, an area many of us visit frequently, a grizzly attacked and mauled a guy on a mountain bike yesterday. The report is that 2 locals were riding their mountain bikes around Halfmoon Lake, just west of West Glacier and just off Hwy 2, when they surprised a grizzly and instead of running away, it attacked and knocked one guy off his bike to the ground and mauled him. His friend took off to get help and was not harmed. http://flatheadbeacon.com/2016/06/29/grizzly-bear-kills-person-near-west-glacier/ Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinsa Posted June 30, 2016 Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 I saw this on the news this morning. While rare, it can and does happen. We stayed at the West Glacier KOA just last summer... in a tent. Scary. Stephen & Karen and our six boys, ages 21, 21, 19, 17, 14, & 11 Stephen - Military retiree (as of summer 2012) & current DOI employee (Big Bend National Park) Karen - Homeschooling stay-at-home mom & veteran San Antonio, Texas Fulltimed May 2013 - July 2014 (yes, all eight of us!) Open Range "Rolling Thunder" (H396RGR - fifth wheel toy hauler bunkhouse) - SOLD Ford F-350 diesel dually - for the camper Ford E-350 fifteen passenger van - for the crew Our unfinished travel blog: http://coach-and-six.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted June 30, 2016 Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 The story I read was that they surprised the sow and two cubs. Bears are very protective of their young. Mountain bikes are quiet on trails. These were two rangers. I wonder if they were making the suggested noise to pre-warn the bear. It's a tragedy. Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce t Posted June 30, 2016 Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 I'm not a bear expert. But when you think rationally about it I would worry more about lightening. Anyway no bear would attack me. I would smell toooooo much. regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al F Posted June 30, 2016 Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 The worst possible situation. A fast moving person surprising a bear. Even if they were making noise, a bicycle moves pretty fast, perhaps too fast for the bear to leave the area. If it was a sow with cubs, she was just protecting her babies. I tragedy for sure. Doubly if they have to kill the bear. Al & Sharon 2006 Winnebago Journey 36G 2020 Chevy Colorado Toad San Antonio, TX http://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Wilma Posted July 1, 2016 Report Share Posted July 1, 2016 The worst possible situation. A fast moving person surprising a bear. Even if they were making noise, a bicycle moves pretty fast, perhaps too fast for the bear to leave the area. If it was a sow with cubs, she was just protecting her babies. I tragedy for sure. Doubly if they have to kill the bear. Well said . . . a sad tragedy and our prayers are with the ranger and family. Our last backpacking trip to Glacier three years ago, we "met" two grizzlies. They say there are over a 1,000 grizzlies and for good reason they make backpackers watch a half hour bear video as a condition of getting the back country permit. We came across one grizzly that we were expecting as we were hiking thru huckleberry country and scat was getting fresher and fresher. We spotted the bear from quiet a distance and gave it plenty of respect. The other meeting was when two of my sons hiked up an overlook spur trail. They took their backpacks off near the trail while they went to the edge of the overlook. A grizzly came right up the trail behind them and they were sure the backpacks (with both the food and their bear sprays) were gone but the bear just sniffed and went on his way. Lucky. Jim & Wilma 2006 Travel Supreme 36RLQSO 2009 Volvo VNL730, D13, I-shift, ET, Herrin Hauler bed, "Ruby" 2017 Smart Class of 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalkie Posted July 1, 2016 Report Share Posted July 1, 2016 My sympathies and prayers go out to those impacted with this episode. Unfortunately there are many campers out there that do not exercise a modicum of common sense when in bear country (no pointing any fingers in this case). Several years ago we were camping in bear country (in a pop up) and we were next to a camper ignoring all the rules about food, etc. Along about 10 or so that night we were awakened by their horn going off (they were sleeping in their SUV). Their site was being ravaged by a black bear. All the ice chests and food, that they had left in the open, were being completely consumed and trashed. After a while the bear left, they cleaned up the mess, and went back to bed in their car. A couple of hours later, the bear was back and ravaging again. The idiots had cleaned up, but had not actually secured anything. One might have thought they had learned a lesson, not so apparently. Long and short of it. When you are in Bear Country you are NOT at the top of the food chain and need to take precautions. Bears can, and will, break into cars, campers, and cabins/houses if they think there are easy pickings. And yes, making noise (even if it just a little bell on your belt) can make a difference. Take care and follow the rules for bear country. http://www.bearsmart.com/play/camping/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted July 1, 2016 Report Share Posted July 1, 2016 Since the victim in this case was a USFS law enforcement officer, I suspect he was well versed in "bear sense". A very unfortunate situation, and my thoughts are with his family. Dutch 2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS 2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted July 1, 2016 Report Share Posted July 1, 2016 About 2-3 weeks ago a marathon runner was attacked by black bear female with cubs when she was running a marathon at the Valles Caldera area in New Mexico. The runner was injured but not severely and even felt the mother should not be destroyed in the instance. The bear was found and destroyed and the cubs were taken to a sanctuary. I noticed my wording above and instead of changing it I decided to point out the lady was running the marathon, not the bear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted July 2, 2016 Report Share Posted July 2, 2016 I've never understood the logic of it all; wildlife was there first but humans demand to be protected from wildlife in the "wilds". 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamRad Posted July 2, 2016 Report Share Posted July 2, 2016 Silly isn't it?! Kill the mother bear for doing the only thing it knows to do ------ Protect its children! I don't get it. Trailer: Montana 5th wheel, model 3582Rl, model year 2012 Truck: Ford 450 PSD Super Duty, 2002 Crew Cab, Long bed, 4:88 rear end, last of the 7.3 engines, Automatic Transmission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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