Top | Register | Preferences | Suggest Discussion | Discussion Policy | Log In


Discussion group: NewsTop   Discussion group: News News    Discussion Topic: Campers Vs Bears: Too Close For Comfort? Campers Vs Bears: Too Close For Comfort?

<< previous (newer) discussion next (older) discussion >>

Moderated by dennews   Reply to this DiscussionAdd to this Discussion  
Campers Vs Bears: Too Close For Comfort?
T O P I C Discussion Started: 08-06-2001, 10:01 PM Add to the Discussion
Q
U
E
S
T
I
O
N
More and more, we are hearing of bears confronting people in suburban neighborhoods, or at rural camp sites.

When the bears get really aggressive and start clawing at people, they are either killed by landowners, or by the Department of Wildlife.

Wildlife experts said that in the year 2000, Colorado landowners killed more than 100 black bears that came into populated areas.

What do you think of this? How can bears and people live in the mountains in harmony? Should we teach people how to live with bears? Or should we place restrictions on where people should live or camp? Should we move the bears to a different location? Have you ever had an encounter with a bear? (For tips on living in bear country, click here.)

View Messages: [newest first] | [oldest first]
Koi72!8m6 11-19-2006, 12:59 PM Add to the Discussion
15 years ago in Rocky Mountain National Park I saw a posting, on the isolated, back country, Ranger's cabin door, that a bear had been spotted in the vicinity some weeks prior. This was the same area where a bear in the past year or so attacked a man as reported on the news.

Then, for one summer in particular, I always felt uncomfortable, sometimes really uncomfortable, hiking on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park, ALMOST EVERYWHERE. That couldn't have been a bear, I believe, with swift stealth walking 10 to 15 miles a day. That had to be mountain lion (possibly including individual offspring). Later, I saw on the news the story of a mountain lion attacking a child and killing it, in that same general area of the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park.

So, what is the difference between concern over bears and mountain lions? At REI headquarters, I heard an experienced naturalist about to retire from, I believe, the Colorado Department of Natural Wildlife, give a presentation on Colorado bear natural activities, their movements, and such. Long story, well worth hearing.

Were I to move to the mountains, I would have a very fortified house. No, bears don't own the mountains, but opening doors for these wild and natural predators, figuratively as well as literally, is reckless risk taking.

And mountain lions are a danger, too. If one loves nature, one should know predators are not lovers returning the favor. Move to the mountains, sure, and hike there, but go there with your eyes wide open.

I also once saw a bear halfway up a mountain, above tree line, near what's left of Fall River dam, grouchy, coming out of hibernation. I was completely content to quietly go my way. Later, I returned down the trail with no further incident.

Residing in the mountains, hiking and overnighting there... well, as Edward R. Murrow use to say, signing off from his legendary TV journalism program... "Good night! And good luck!"

For your thoughts... -- Koi

mike hardy 11-10-2005, 10:07 PM Add to the Discussion
personaly i love the moutains for manny reasons but the main reason is because it is natural and quiet wild untouched.i personaly think people shouldent even be allowed to even buld a home in the moutains the moutains are all thats left we have 100,000,000 of miles of perfecktly good bulding space in the plains or colorado the mountains are only a short drive away.it sickens me that you go to the moutains and see all kinds of houses their i know its nice to be their but have some respect for natuer and other people that like the wild moutains.for the bears well they were here first and wen they are gone they will be gone forever humanbeings are sickning and destrucktive we are a virus that is out of controole thats just my thoughts

michael hardy

pzoghby 03-08-2005, 10:05 AM Add to the Discussion
The title to this article should read: "BEARS - Campers Too Close For Comfort!" These poor bears are just doing what nature requires of them -- hibernate and then wake up and try to survive, etc., etc. It's the campers/humans who are encroaching on them. They have to deal with the same things that plague us -- drought, disease, etc.

Hubersmith 07-30-2003, 6:53 AM Add to the Discussion
Re: the July 30, 2003 story about bears that enter people's homes through open windows, and ransack the house. The advice given by officals quoted in the story was:

"Residents were advised to close all windows that are accessible from the ground when they leave their homes for any length of time."

Well... would you rather come home to find a bear had torn up the kitchen while you were out? Or would you rather walk into your kitchen and meet the bear in person?!

Sounds to me as if keeping windows closed whether or not you're home would be the best idea! SLS

DIANE KANDT 08-14-2001, 2:01 PM Add to the Discussion
I think humans should learn how to live with bears - humans are going everywhere and leaving no space for the animals to live - we go into their environment, if they become aggressive they are killed - if they come into our environment they are killed...how can they win? The animals are not being repected with a right to life and a peaceful existence.Yes I have encountered a bear in MI - I was on his turf...

Page 1 of 1 << Prev Page | Next Page >>