Black Bear near the Weirs Channel

[jrc]

Pepper spray

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by jrc

Pepper spray

I remember a few years ago.......being an Old Coot, and on a pension, who knows How Many freakin years ago it was ...they just fly by.

Anywho: There was this young "Outdoorsy" couple who were "Living with the Grizzlys" in Alaska. It was very "Inspiring". They were "Bonding" with nature and whatnot.....

They were attacked and Ate Up by their friends.... the Grizzlys. Totally Sad.

Lesson: Don't try to snuggle up to a Bear. NB

[jrc]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Treadwell

[VtSteve]

I am so glad I have a 20X zoom lens. Tried to blow up that picture, but not enough resolution. My guess is that bear will not be your friend, for long.

Just as a casual observer, 400 pounds seems a bit heavy for that guy.

[SIKSUKR]

There is no comparison to be made between attacks from grizzlies and NH's black bear.They are complete opposites.I dont even recall the last time we had a bear attack here.Black bears are omnivores and only attack if they think they,or more importantly,their offspring are threatened.Very very rare.I had a mother 3 feet from my skihouse in Franconia last week.While watching her,2 18 inch babies appeared.Great stuff.They do everything they can to avoid humans.

[NoRegrets]

Thank you all for the suggestions and insight on safety with nature.

In the news a few weeks ago there was a tragic story about an older couple that were killed by a pack of wild dogs in North Eastern Georgia. The wife went out first and when she did not return the husband went out to look for her. They both met a horrible end. The dogs were captured and the experts said they were pets left behind and a "bad" dog leader caused the pack to go bad.

The point about being prepared to pull the trigger if you carry a gun is excellent. In a panic situation you may hurt yourself or someone unintentionally. You would need to practice, be mentally prepared for action, and then practice so action would become routine. This would not suit me or my wife.

The pepper spray seems the best solution to cover most situations.

[jrc]

Just to be clear, my post was a joke. There are no grizzlies in New Hampshire.

[NoRegrets]

I don't know about that. I think I saw some of them in Walmart a few weeks ago....

[BGB2]

What's for lunch?

[Grant]

No guns necessary. Black bears want nothing to do with you, and the vast majority of sightings are food-inspired. And they don't eat people. Noises will usually scare them off. Bird feeders, garbage containers, etc., will attract. As we get into fall, they will be foraging more aggressively, trying to build up their fat reserves for the winter's nap. In spring, they'll be out and about looking to break that fast. They are not, however, anything like grizzlies. Most that you see will look like big dogs. The occasional big bear sighting is a treat.

I remember an incident -- probably 10+ years ago now -- in which a pair of good-sized bears ambled up driveway in Wolfeboro on a summer weekend afternoon. The homeowner, obviously alarmed and concerned for the safety of his tethered dog in the back yard, went inside, grabbed a gun, and shot and killed one of the bears. I recall the other getting away. Shame to have to resort to killing it, but I can't say I wouldn't react the same way if I perceived a threat to my dogs.

Having spent a lot of time backpacking and camping in bear country in New Hampshire, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, I've found that noise works best. That being said, a seasoned/conditioned/wily campground bear will return again and again in attempts to win its food prize. We had one in the Smokies that climbed a tree, latched onto our string hammock containing food sacks, snapped the line, crashed to the ground, and took off with a week's worth of backpacking rations for three people. The next day, we recovered 2/3 of the food (and saw the bear again...another story...), and enjoyed pita bread with bear tooth holes in them for the rest of the week. Oh yeah -- and one of the offending bruins also bit a hole through the metal body of my friend's camera as it took off with his full-loaded backpack in its mouth! They are good-natured troublemakers.

[dpg]

Originally Posted by BGB2

What's for lunch?

Awesome!! Is this in NH?

[Simon]

The bear was spotted at Stonecrest Condominiums on Weirs Blvd. Photo was taken on August 18th.

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by jrc

Just to be clear, my post was a joke. There are no grizzlies in New Hampshire.

That sign is priceless... I'm still laughing at it.

Seriously thou, my sister and her family live in Fairbanks, AK. They are very active in 4H, and raise all sorts of animals. They had 2 young Grizzlies get into their goat pen. Needless to say they lost several goats.
The local authorities had to track down and destroy the bears because they told my sister that the bears would keep coming back until the all the goats and other animals were gone.

Black Bear and Grizzlies are not alike. We have Black Bear here in the yard on a fairly regular basis.. I've posted some of the pics. They run off as soon as they see us.

The State has this website about NH Black Bears. Good reading and lots of links to even more information.

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wild...ings_Bruin.htm

[pats fan]

Sounds like a lot of folks questioning if the bear in The Weirs Channel was real. Yes, he was. I am friends with Jose Dematos who owns The Channel Cottages. The bear wandered around his property, checked out his beach and then went next door to the new condos that used to be Handy Landing Store. Jose has pictures of his own up close! I think he got a little closer than he should have but he has good photos and lives to tell about it. He said the boats were all stopping and docking at the docks behind the condos to get a closer look. Sounds like the little guy felt trapped between the channel and Weirs Blvd. so he didn't know where to go. He chose the roof to see if he could see a better way out!

[Water Camper]

Thanks for confirming this to be a real sighting. Our bear was anything but little I'm afraid to go into the woods any more. I often work out there alone, clearing and picking up branches, etc. Any suggestions from people/hunters for safety precautions ... whisles, bells, music ... to deter them from coming near if I get the courage to go into the woods again? Thanks in advance.
Sue

[NoBozo]

It's really interesting to me how many posters on this thread are entertained by the bear sightings of late...and the pleasant likelihood of a face to face encounter. ... "They are just SO Cute"...Totally

I wonder how it would work out if ...WE .Re-Introduced BIG Bears to New Hampshire". As things go....not too far out of the question I think...IS IT..?

If I'm not mistaken, WE Re-Introduced WOLVES just recently...didn't WE...? Not trying to stir up poop....Just stirring up some Thought.

BTW: I don't care if cute little black bears are "Vegetarian" or not. With nice BIG teeth ...and even Bigger Claws.......I'm going to keep my distance.

Regardless: Anyone who doesn't take heed of the lesson in the "Treadwell Incident" in Alaska.......I wish you well. NB

[Jonas Pilot]

We re-introduced wolves back into New Hampshire?! Who did it? How many were placed and where? Now I'm afraid to even walk to my car! Who is responsible for this?!!!

[jrc]

Black bears are omnivores, they eat pretty much anything including deer fawns, according to Wiki.

There haven't been any reintroduction of wolves or any wild wolves found in NH as of the 2008 NH fish and game. But they are coming back, there have been sighting in Maine, New York and Massachusettes

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by Jonas Pilot

We re-introduced wolves back into New Hampshire?! Who did it? How many were placed and where? Now I'm afraid to even walk to my car! Who is responsible for this?!!!

Sorry to alarm anyone. Iinitially I thought New England (particularly NH) was one of the recent locations this was being done, ...it appears I may have been in error. Reintroduction of Wolves has been done in other locales but NH does not appear to be one of them. I DID hear something about this recently..but I can't remember where. NB

PS: This Wiki Note may be over 10 years old.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_reintroduction

[dpg]

Originally Posted by Water Camper

Thanks for confirming this to be a real sighting. Our bear was anything but little I'm afraid to go into the woods any more. I often work out there alone, clearing and picking up branches, etc. Any suggestions from people/hunters for safety precautions ... whisles, bells, music ... to deter them from coming near if I get the courage to go into the woods again? Thanks in advance.
Sue

Sue I've been known to go on a hunt or two in my life. Seriously though as stated in this thread no need to worry about black bears. To answer your question your best defense would just be to keep YOUR eyes open and not accidentally sneak up on one. You would not want to spook one that didn't realize you were in the area. If you and a bear spot each other from a fair distance he/she 99.999% of the time would turn the other way and be on it's way. Kind of like they tell all of us about terrorists and things, live your life but keep your guard up a bit that's all. I'm not an expert but would guess you wouldn't want a bell or something with you as it might provoke interest. Making yourself "look big" by standing tall and maybe yelling is what's generally suggested.

[jmen24]

Originally Posted by Water Camper

Thanks for confirming this to be a real sighting. Our bear was anything but little I'm afraid to go into the woods any more. I often work out there alone, clearing and picking up branches, etc. Any suggestions from people/hunters for safety precautions ... whisles, bells, music ... to deter them from coming near if I get the courage to go into the woods again? Thanks in advance.
Sue

While I have never actively hunted Black Bear, I have been hunting since age 5 for other bounty in the state of NH and can say without a doubt that I have only seen a bear in the woods twice, that is while being quiet and/or stationary, starting from mid August through mid January for 23 years. And bear are all through the area I hunt, as has been seen at neighbors feeders and sign in the woods. You are more likely to have an encounter with a neighbors dog than a bear in the woods.

Go out and cut some brush, enjoy the beautiful weather we are having and do not worry about looking over your shoulder, bears do not enjoy stacking wood anyway.

[Slickcraft]

As many have noted, bear are omnivores and would love a package of bacon to go with the blackberries. They will stay clear of humans if given a chance and wolves (which have not been "reintroduced" to NH) will stay far away.

You will incur more collective risk from a day's driving than from a life's time of risk of bear or wolf attack.

Approximate US death rate per year (variable by year)
Auto accident: 42,000+
Murder: 15,000
Lightning: 100
Bear: 1 or 2
Wolf: 0.03 (three in a 100 year period all rabies related)

Drive safe; respect and enjoy the wildlife.

[ripley]

Not trying to pick a fight but that bear would weigh 230,,,maybe a few pounds more. It is easy to de deceived by a photo,
Black bears CAN climb trees.They really want nothing to do with you ..bells and whistles are a very good precaution as bears, any bear ,does not like to be surprised.
Just last week while dring home in Moultonboro on 25 , I had to slam on my breaks as a 1 year old cub ran in front of my truck . This bear was born in the spring of 2008 and was in the area of 110 pounds...most black bear in New Hampshire will top out at 180 -210 pounds so yes, that was a very good sized bear in those photos.
Grizz, on the other hand can run as high as 1400 pounds,thou that would be the exception,with the average large male running around 600-750 or 800
I canoed thru the Canadian rockies for 210 miles and there were Grizz all around us ,but we only saw one ..
Remember that black bears want as little to do with you as possible , just looking for food. Grizz on the otherhand, are just looking for food , but that might be you !Grizz are not afraid of anything ...the only animal on earth that is superior to the grizz ,other than man, is the polar bear.
Put it in perspective,just look at the grizz's latin name:
URSUS ARCTOS HORRIBILIS the horible creture from the far north.
I have 3 coyotes,one black bear and some dear all living in the woods behind my house in sandwich...in the fall,such as now, I take my dog out at night instead of just putting her out alone ...she s a 140 pound newfoundland and i worry about the fisher cat..the fisher brought down a deer last winter and the coyotes finished what the cat did not..I go out with my little girl...and these days ,with the cooler weather, its time to bring my shotgun out with me as well

Black bear : just remember to make noise and if they have a cub or two with them ,back away VERY QUICKLY but don't turn and run,,,just back up,keeping eye contact at ALL times and move carefully but quickly away from the area. with Grizz: forget it ..you see a Grizz up close,,,chances are thats the last thing you will see. Many people think grizz can't climb trees.they are almost right. Grizz can climb trees quite well but they weigh so much that they tend to stay closer to the ground,rarely climbing higher then 10- 15 feet...
From the time that I started typing this til now, i now know that I also have a skunk in my backyard,something I had figures buut never,,,umm,,er ,,,could prove..I can prove it now ..
Cheers
RIP

[fatlazyless]

Heard the Fish & Game recently destroyed a biggie 400-lb bear in Waterville Valley at the request of the local police. The bear had been a frequent visitor to public trash cans and private dumpsters. The bear would creep into the Valley at night and visit the public trash cans. I saw it a couple times....very well behaved....it would tiptoe about...ignoring my high beams....and continue toward a dumpster or a trash can.

NH has something like 500 or 5000? black bears so probably a new one will show up. As I understand WV usually has about two or three wild bears that come into town looking for something to eat like left over calimari sauce.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

I remember a few years ago.......being an Old Coot, and on a pension, who knows How Many freakin years ago it was ...they just fly by.

Anywho: There was this young "Outdoorsy" couple who were "Living with the Grizzlys" in Alaska. It was very "Inspiring". They were "Bonding" with nature and whatnot.....

They were attacked and Ate Up by their friends.... the Grizzlys. Totally Sad.

Lesson: Don't try to snuggle up to a Bear. NB

I was watching a show on 20/20 last night about a guy in Alaska who lives in a cabin in the woods. He feeds the bears (illegal), both brown bears and grizzlies. He is almost like a father to them. It is pretty cool, but I would hazard to guess that the guy is going to be dinner some day. On that show, they did mention the couple who was mauled and eaten by a grizzly.