[at-l] Bear Repellent

[jmmiele at optonline.net (joe miele)]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim and/or Ginny Owen" <spiriteagle99@hotmail.com>


> joe wrote:
> >And luckily this will happen on the average less than one time every two
> >years in the U.S.  It's not something I'm going to lose any sleep over.
>
> Not sure where you're getting your numbers, but you REALLY need to check
> them cause someone is blowin' sunshine in your ear.


Hi Jim -

I got those figures from the North American Bear Center in Ely, MN.
www.bear.org.  Those numbers reflect the number of human fatalities
resulting from unprovoked black bear attacks. Here is the exact quote from
http://www.bear.org/Black/Articles/How_to_Camp_in_Black_Bear_Country.html#da
ngerous

"Unprovoked, predatory attacks by black bears are highly publicized but
rare.  Such attacks have accounted for all 48 deaths by non-captive black
bears across North America this century. Most occurred in Canada and Alaska
where the bears had little previous contact with people, rather than in and
around established campsites.  Predatory attacks by black bears are usually
without bluster or warning.  People involved in such attacks can improve
their chances by fighting and using pepper spray.    Deaths from such
attacks average a little less than one every two years across the United
States and Canada."

References for Dr. Rogers data can be found at
http://www.bear.org/Black/Black_Bear_References_LLR.html

My B.S. degree may indeed stand for you-know-what, but I don't pull stuff
out of a hat when it comes to animal issues.

Peace,
Joe