Re[3]: [at-l] Bear cables dont work!

[rbenhameda@comcast.net (Rami)]

I really hate to even bring this up for a whole bunch of reasons, but the biggest two are that I can't corroborate my claims with references as I have no idea where I read the info and only a vague idea of the name of the guy I spoke with at GSMNP, and I don't want to sound like I'm contradicting good advice...

....BUT.....


I'll advise extreme caution when contemplating this move (as much as the situation will allow)
On a comparison basis, humans sense of smell is something like 10 times poorer than dogs, and dogs are 10 times poorer than bears (any variety you like) (this is one of the references I can't find) 
Last year, I spoke with a GSMNP forest ranger who stated that his specialty was the large animals of the park (bears, elk, deer etc.)  His name was Jeff something and he had thru-hiked the AT a couple of years before with his son.  

all of that preludes this story and Jeff's statement to me:

Someone already mentioned this, but there was a bear in GSMNP a few years ago who would bluff charge hikers 'with backpacks' until they dumped their packs and ran.  This was before the woman was killed there and the advice from the rangers has changed since then.  Jeff told us about bears tracking people who had used the "toss and distract" method to get away.  They had documented at least a couple of bears over the years prior to the attack who would track a hiker and get 'ahead' of  them in an attempt to get another food reward.  Kinda like a game.  I scare the hiker, he gives me food.

Again,  I'm not trying to contradict good advice, just advising education.  Learn as much as you feel you need to about bear behavior before you go out.  Then, if the time ever comes when you 'need' to make a fight or flight decision, you'll be making an informed one.  Paranoia and unsubstantiated fear aren't the answer.  Blissful ignorance leads to at least as many problems.  Knowledge is power!

Kahley has the experience and KNOWLEDGE of her own abilities, her dogs abilities, and the animals who's home is the woods she hikes in, to be able to make a decision which is right for her.  Shane has the experience and KNOWLEDGE to make the same decision.

Remember, Darwin is waiting for you to de-select your DNA from the community gene pool.


-r (wondering if I should have just let the issue drop....)





  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Shane Steinkamp 
  To: kahley ; at-l@backcountry.net 
  Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2002 9:24 PM
  Subject: RE: Re[3]: [at-l] Bear cables dont work!


  > I figured but I wanted to "hear" you say it and have
  > any lurking newbess hear it too, lest they think they
  > should toss food to any bear they come across.
  > Last resort and all that..def better than mauling.

  Good point.  Newbies:  Don't give food to bears.  Only
  exception:  If you think you are going to get eaten by the
  bear, and the only way out of your situation is to drop
  something to distract the bear.  A smelly shirt can work as
  well as a candy bar.




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