Bear Encounter

[Wea300mag]

While on a hike into the Thorton Lakes just recently I had an encounter with a very large black bear. My goal for the hike was mainly to get some exercise, see some scenery, and stretch the legs and lungs. About 3-1/2 miles from the trailhead I passed a typical granola/tree hugger type who was taking a break. Another 1/2 mile up the trail I was walking through a berry patch thinking that this would be a place a bear should be hanging out. Sure enough, the trail wrapped back into the woods and around the next corner there he was about 25 yards away from me. My already elevated heart rate went red-line. The bear was a least 300lbs and this was by far the closest I have ever been to one. This was one of the few times I didn't pack the camera but did pack a 9mm. The bear and I went into a 60 sec staredown. During this time I removed my pack to retrieve my gun then realize if the bear charged my 9mm would most likely just piss it off. So I went to plan B and waved my pack over my head (looking as big as possible) yelling and screaming. The bear would not back down. If I continued on the trail I would walk within 2-3 yards so that was not an option. I didn't want to turn back because I was only a mile from the first lake. A few seconds later the guy I passed on the trail came around the corner and said "thats a big f#@$@! bear". By now the bear finally felt threatened and ran up the hill.

The morals of this story are: 1) take a 44 mag or larger handgun with you: 2) don't forget your camera (I could have filled a whole memory card of images in the time the bear and I were getting acquainted): 3) granola/tree huggers can actually be of assistance at times.

[billythekidrock]

The morals of this story are: 1) take a 44 mag or larger handgun with you: 2) don't forget your camera (I could have filled a whole memory card of images in the time the bear and I were getting acquainted): 3) granola/tree huggers can actually be of assistance at times.

1. Always take camera
2. Tree hugger would be great bear bait.....take lots of pics..
3. If bear hates the taste of said "bait" you can use the 9mm to make sure you beat the tree hugger to the trail head...is so, shoot camera to destroy any evidence..
LOL
Sounds like you had quite the hike.

[boneaddict]

the nice thing about tree huggin granolas showing up....you don't have to worry about outrunning a monster bear, all you have to do is out run the tree hugger.

Fun adventure......dang on not having a camera.

[saylean]

Glad to hear you got back safe...I had my first close encounter with a bear about 2 weeks ago...nuthing but my bow and arrow...at about 25 yrds..and yes, it was kinda freaky for sure...sure wish I could have been carrying my .45 glock.

[high country]

I have had lots of close encounters with blackies, every time they look at me and I look at them and we both get that startled look and they turn and burn. never had one just hang around. I ALWAYS have a gun. I have a titanium 45lc that weighs 18oz and have no reason to leave it behind.

I would say if you can't have a gun be sure to go with someone you can outrun.

[Wea300mag]

Those are funny replies because when I passed the granola hiker on the trail he looked like he was really struggling. After the bear ran off he looked a my gun and said "wow, you have a gun" but from that point until we reached the lakes he stayed right with me, coughing, sweating, and in a lot of pain.

[50CalJim]

 The way I look at it is if that Bear would have given you the Timothy Treadway treatment maybe one of us could have gotten your Eastside Deer raffle tag in a redraw.

[jackelope]

the one and only bear encounter i've had in the woods we did right. we walked up on a griz in jellystone while fly fishing slough creek. my wife and i were trekking a long a trail paralleling the stream...i was staring at some rising fish, my wife was motoring ahead of me, and i looked up at my wife heading back at me with eyes as big saucers. there about 30-40 yards ahead of us was a small grizzly bear milling around in the brush. we slowly made our way out of there to where we could safely watch the bear for quite a while. very cool experience for me.

[ICEMAN]

You dont have to be able to outrun the tree hugger, just shove him at the right time...   Bears like granola....

[arrowflinger]

bust a cap in the tree huggers knee................not need to run.

[Alchase]

You should have just pushed the granola boy into the berries, evryone know granola taste better with fruit!!

[boneaddict]

Doesn't sound like he had to waste a buck fifty on the huggers knee.  It sounded like he was about done for anyway.

[arrowflinger]

Just for insurance..............at a buck fifty it would be cheap and the smell of blood.

[billythekidrock]

evryone know granola taste better with fruit!!

I thought most granola's were a bit fruity anyway.

[Ridgerunner]

Definately a hike to remember..............pretty funny responses.

[MikeWalking]

Quite a rush isn't it?  I've encountered 13 Bears so far, 5 Griz including a Sow with 2 cubs, the rest Black one of them a Sow with 2 cubs.

Only one, a young Black Bear charged me, and then only I think, because he couldn't see me. I was at a switchback on the PCT. Coming up the backside of the Stevens Pass Ski area. Once I heard him woofing, no doubt in response to my Yee-Haws for the view, I hardly had time to get out my.357 as he came crashing through the brush.

The way he spun around upon finally seeing me was a 9.8 on the gymnastic scale. 

Oh yeah after that I went from .357 to a nice 629 .44 Classic

[catwithboost]

I have only seen one bear in the wild and that was about 1000yrds out. But OMG you guys are  I had to read all of this to my girlfriend. You guys are full of info and great for a good laugh.

[MikeWalking]

1. Always take camera

1.a. Make sure said camera is not in it's bag, in your tent; b. make sure your tripod, if said camera has a 300mm lens on it, is also handy.

Or your 1st tundra Griz will be to far off for good pics before you're set up. don't get me started

[UPBert]

I'm new here, so first off, HI to all.  Great site and seems to be a good group of people.  (Background - I relocated to northwest Washington from Michigan's Upper Peninsula)

Funny bear encounter (in Michigan) - a bear had eaten my neighbor's bird feeder one morning, and that evening he was about 15' feet up in a maple tree about 10' from my house, eyeing up my bird feeders...  I had an ongoing battle with the critters, finally put a very heavy door on a shed where I kept the bird food, and had to board up a small window also that was broke out to gain access - was tired of retrieving my garbage cans out in the woods...  After getting some pictures (which I will post if I can find them after the move!), came up with the idea to "discourage" it by shooting it with my slingshot.  I got close to it, and it started woofing and snapping it jaws...  After the first shot to the head, he started swatting the air trying to figure what was going on, after the second volley, he came down out of the tree and headed north at a very fast pace!  Never had any more major problems with him.  He was just a young 100 lb. +/-  bear probably dispersing.  Past experience tells me if they are around an easy food source for any length of time, you might as well name him...

UPBert

[tmike]

Welcome UPBert! Our bird feeders just disappear to be eaten elsewhere. I was told a paintball gun is a good deterant