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RE: [pct-l] Bears (&fishing)
- Subject: RE: [pct-l] Bears (&fishing)
- From: "Andrew Watson" <watsonnet@hotmail.com>
- Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 14:24:06 PDT
Well said Brian!
This is about the most accurate, well-thought out posting regarding a bear
I've read since joining this list several weeks ago. Thanks.
Being a list newbie - I'll introduce myself. My name is Andy, I'm from
Portland, Maine, and am planning to hike a 500 mile section of the PCT this
July and early August. I'm not totally sure where yet, but the Tahoe -
Yosemite stretch seems to be at the top of the list.
I have a question regarding fishing along the trail. Do any backpackers
fish? Is it even legal? Are there enough spots to justify dragging along a
bit of gear? I haven't been able to find out anything about this through
the books, web sites, etc., so I thought I'd ask the list. Any insight
would be appreciated.
Mentally, in California,
Andy
>From: "Robinson, Brian A" <brian.robinson@compaq.com>
>To: "'Cheryl Wernli'" <wernli@lightspeed.net>, PCT list
><pct-l@edina.hack.net>
>Subject: RE: [pct-l] Bears
>Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 10:33:24 -0700
>
>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
>To: PCT list
>Subject: [pct-l] Bears
>
>
> Just curious...do any of you carry any protection from the bears,
>i.e. "extra strength" pepper spray? (I found it in a catalog as good
>protection against bears). I don't want to start any arguements here,
>I'm just getting a little concerned about the bears in the Sierras.
> Also, when hiking Kearsarge Pass Trail, a couple of you mentioned
>not to take the back pack off...is this because the bears will snatch
>it? Have they ever been known to try to snatch it off your back?
>Thanks, Carolyn
>
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