Bear or Human Which to Euthanize

[Guest ADAM]

I was watching the news over the weekend and it appears that people are not getting brighter, and the wildlife are paying for it. As some of you all may have heard another person was "attacked" by a black bear in the Smokies on Laurel Falls Trail last week, while trying to take a picture. The news said that he had gotten within a few feet of the bear to snap some pictures when the bear bit the man only leaving minor puncture wounds. To me he got what he deserved for approaching wildlife, so why euthanize the bear it was protecting its territory. IMO these people who do this stupid stuff should be fined by TWRA or the Park Commission. I just cant see killing such a beautiful animal for the stupidity of humans. This may have been posted before, since this isnt the first time, so if it has please delete.

[Guest jackdm3]

I really want to hear what my buddy BEARMAN thinks about the question.

[Mike.357]

I think that bear had obviously lost fear of humans and that is why they put it down.

When we were in Gatlinburg last Sept. almost everywhere we went in the park we encountered bears. We even were lucky enough to be near attacked by Yogi and BooBoo over our picnic basket. The bears we encountered in the park look fat and healthy, but the ones by the cabin were scrawny. I was told that is from the difference between garbage picking bears and regular wild bears. I don't care to ever come across another one period. They are near a nuisance.

if you see a bear on a trail back the heck away, make a lot of noise, and make yourself appear as big as possible.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I talk to them. I say things like, "Please don't eat me."

[Ebow1]

Black bears will typically back down from signs of aggression. Grizzly bears will not.

[kb4ns]

he had gotten within a few feet of the bear to snap some pictures

I think that bear had obviously lost fear of humans and that is why they put it down.

Put them both down.

[leroy]

Put them both down.

This is a winner!!! Very wise kbn4!!!

Keep up the good work and leave the bears alone!!

Kind regards,

Leroy

[analog_kidd]

From the GSM Home page...

We advise outdoorsmen to wear noisy little bells on their clothing so that the bears are not startled unexpectedly by a human's presence. We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear.

It is also a good idea to watch for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear poop and grizzly bear poop. Black bear poop is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear poop smells like pepper and has little bells in it.

OK, not really

[Garufa]

Bears don't know any better. Humans should.

[Guest Bluemax]

I read that the Rangers tried the " wearing bells " in the Rockies and Yosimete and the bears started recognizing the sound of the bells as the sign of a food source not a deterrant

If we want our wildlife to stay wild then unless we are hunting them then we need to stay the h#$l away from them IMO only

[Guest BEARMAN]

You ALL get the grand prize! A fed bear...is a dead bear! Once they get acclimated to human food, they rarely go back to foraging on their own. They then become "beggar bears" when folks feed them, and they loose all fear of humans. This makes for a very dangerous critter.

And, once one attacks a human being, it has the propensity to do so again; and will if the right circumstance arises.

Unfortunately....the only choice was to euthanize the bear.

Rolling up in the fetal position doesn't work with the blackies...they're looking for a meal, and will literally eat you alive.

Fight back with anything and everything you got, if attacked by a black bear. If you can back away from the bear, while talking in a very loud voice, do so...but whatever you do, don't turn your back on them and run...unless you can run faster than 30 mph, for a good distance.

Best course of action in bear country...tote a .357 or .44 magnum handgun, or at the very least, a can of OC bear spray.

Unfortunately...attacks are becoming more frequent as the bears are losing more and more habitat daily.

Anybody up for a bear hunt this fall???

[Guest SUNTZU]

I know I'd appreciate it if no one feeds the bears. Might not be a big deal when you are inside your car driving the loop but it gets a little excitin' when you are sleeping under a tarp and here one near your feet.

I am not Bear Claw Chris Lapp.

[bubbiesdad]

I read that the Rangers tried the " wearing bells " in the Rockies and Yosimete and the bears started recognizing the sound of the bells as the sign of a food source not a deterrant

If we want our wildlife to stay wild then unless we are hunting them then we need to stay the h#$l away from them IMO only

[JR2ATN]

If I remember correctly, a few years back a some tourists attacked a bear (with sticks, rocks) that had itself attacked a fawn. This was in Cades Cove and I believe one or more of the tourists involved were fined $500. Bears seem to be a lot more plentiful in the Smokies today than they were when I was a kid. It used to be fairly uncommon to spot one, now I can't go without seeing 3 or 4.

On Mt. Leconte summer '09

same trip, Rainbow Falls TH. I wasn't that close, had the camera on full zoom.

[Mike.357]

if you turn and run the bear thinks you are now part of the food chain

[Guest reaper1880]

i think they should issue the bears a hunting licence after all it is tourists seasons and they out number the bears thousands to one lol

[kb4ns]

I believe one or more of the tourists involved were fined $500.

Good. Why can't people just let nature be nature??

[Guest Tygarys]

I was watching the news over the weekend and it appears that people are not getting brighter, and the wildlife are paying for it. As some of you all may have heard another person was "attacked" by a black bear in the Smokies on Laurel Falls Trail last week, while trying to take a picture. The news said that he had gotten within a few feet of the bear to snap some pictures when the bear bit the man only leaving minor puncture wounds. To me he got what he deserved for approaching wildlife, so why euthanize the bear it was protecting its territory. IMO these people who do this stupid stuff should be fined by TWRA or the Park Commission. I just cant see killing such a beautiful animal for the stupidity of humans. This may have been posted before, since this isnt the first time, so if it has please delete.

Reminds me of stories I've read about some of those drive-through safari parks. There have been several reports over the last few years of people driving along and coming across lions or tigers. They then get out of their cars (which they are told not to do) and go over to look at the "kitties" and get nommed. People don't seem to understand that we are not at the top of the food chain.

[JR2ATN]

From an article about the incident I remembered...actually two incidents in '02:

On June 28, several visitors interfered when a black bear attacked a fawn. One man who kicked the bear, grabbed it, and slammed it to the ground was charged with disturbing wildlife and disorderly conduct.

On July 7, park researcher Jennifer Murrow heard an animal cry. While driving on Cades Cove Loop Road, she then saw a small bear trying to kill a deer fawn. One visitor, among a gathering of people, threw large rocks at the bear, trying to stop it from attacking the fawn. Murrow moved the crowd back and explained the role of bears and deer in the wild.

National Parks - Google Books

People like that should only go to zoos.

[Guest Jamie]

Hmm... I've always been of the opinion that stupid people should be eaten by bears or other large carnivores...

I mean, if we keep protecting 'em from themselves ( or the bears ), how're we ever gonna be rid of 'em?

J.