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RE: [pct-l] Bears



Hi Cheryl,

It's a good idea to treat ALL wild animals with a high degree of respect,
not out of fear, but as a courtesy.  That being said, you might compare a
habituated Sierra bear to a really BIG squirrel.  Like a squirrel in a city
park, the bear only wants your food.  It's learned to seek you out to get
it, but it has no other interest in you.  Surprisingly, the metaphor extends
to the "rules" of who owns the food.  A squirrel will only eat food that is
left out for it, intentionally or unintentionally.  It doesn't know the
difference between a scrap thrown to it and a picnic table full of scraps
momentarily left unguarded.  Similarly, Sierra black bears do not go after
food being guarded by humans, but they WILL take any food left lying around,
or hanging in a tree.  After that point there's a BIG difference between a
bear and a squirrel.  You can chase off the squirrel any way you want.  It's
no threat.  But a bear can defend IT'S food from you.  NEVER approach a bear
that's taken possession of your food.  Throwing rocks will usually chase it
off with whatever it can carry.  In fact, the bears I've seen start running
as soon as you bend over looking for something to throw.

So don't get phobic about bears.  Just be a respectful and courteous visitor
in their home.  In known problem areas, don't leave your pack unattended.
Never leave any food where they can get it.  If you feel a need to carry
pepper spray to be comfortable, then carry it.  But you won't need to use
it.

These are only my opinions.  Your mileage may vary.  Make your own
decisions.
Brian

-----Original Message-----
From: Cheryl Wernli [mailto:wernli@lightspeed.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 1999 5:55 AM