218 Comments

"Spiders in the outhouse, I know it's serious..."

Expand full comment

So even a brown bear has its standards?

Expand full comment

Exactly the opposite of what several park rangers told us at evening gatherings both times I've been to Yellowstone national park

They emphasized that bears ARE far more interested in food, but given a sense of smell 500 times better than a human's, it's better to err on the side of caution for women who are camping in the outback

Rangers finished their nightly gathering by showing photos of a locked car that a grizzly attacked for the toothpaste & gum left inside. The bear ripped part of the door off the car, broke the window, and got what it wanted

Expand full comment

I like camping at the 4 seasons...

Expand full comment

So lemme get this straight. You're saying: menstruating women should not brush their teeth with toothpaste or chew gum. Well, whatabout the resta us?

Expand full comment

TL;DW.

Expand full comment

In PA we have an estimate3d 18,000 Black Bears, up from about 6,000 in 2005. They expanded the season las year and 3,300 were "harvested" (Official game commission lingo) I know some folks dislike hunting, but the bear population is getting too big, they're wandering around in suburban backyards and shopping centers looking for food, so what else can you do?

Expand full comment

Bears are strong dangerous animals. If you decide top hike or camp in their territory, be aware of their behavior and habits. You're on their turf. I recommend being armed as they are usually not open to negotiation

Expand full comment

Black “fight back” is the correct advice. If a black bear is coming after you and persisting it means to kill you. Fight back with all you’ve got.

Expand full comment

My father-in-law, who has had a bear break into his house and trash his kitchen, get into his car, and empty out his koi pond (not all on the same day, and probably not the same bear), was outside working in his yard and felt something nipping at his calf. He though it was the dog and turned to scold it, and -- you guessed it -- it turned out to be a bear.

Expand full comment

Dogs will find bears, antagonize bears, then lead bears back to your camp. Keep your dogs on leashes when camping in bear country.

Expand full comment

The bear pop grew too big relative to the people pop, which grew too bigger.

Expand full comment

“… … yes?”

Expand full comment

Roly poly bears are never seen drinking cappucino in Italian restaurants with oriental women… yeahhh.

Expand full comment

Too many people? I agree That's why I'm pro-choice and pro-birth control

Expand full comment

That's not AT ALL what I'm saying.

The Yellowstone rangers used the incident of the grizzly tearing open a LOCKED CAR to illustrate how good their sense of smell is

When you're in back country w bears will follow scent trails. You have to remove every bit of food, candy, gum toiletries, etc from your tent at night. Unfortunately, blood has a scent, and it indicates an animal that may be wounded , and that can attract bears too

Common sense precaution is what this was about

Expand full comment