Barry Blanchard Chased up Tree by Bear

[jon]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/Canmore+guide+Japanese+visitor+safe+after+being+chased+tree+grizzly/5466972/story.html

[sobo]

I just love reading the inane comments on these sorts of stories...

 

And the whole SI v English units thing, too. A grizzly 18m up a tree? That's like, what, about 60 feet?

Damn, he musta been reeeeeeeealy hungry...

[billcoe]

HOLY CRAP, WHAT A STORY!

[AlpineK]

The comments are pretty funny. Bear spray is your best defense

[wfinley]

The comments are pretty funny. Bear spray is your best defense

 

This guy wishes he had bear spray.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/09/23/1811140/sheriff-nevada-man-attacked-by.html

[G-spotter]

I kinda wonder why the file photo of Barry is 20 years old. Dude's hair is almost pure white now.

[AlpineK]

No chance of wind drift or poor shooting, no sir. I'll hit it at close range and piss it off even more.

[susan]

The old timers I met in Montana this summer said they carried 2 kinds of bear spray. One shot pepper, the other shot lead.

[Pete_H]

I'm kind of suprised. I would have figured Barry Blanchard could have taken on a Grizzly barehanded and won easy.

[Buckaroo]

The Russians use road flares. Bears fear the flame and the smoke "blinds" their primary sense which is smell. Plus it is pain free so it doesn't piss them off.

 

Bear spray is sometimes ineffective and the smell attracts other bears to the area.

[Kimmo]

i do believe i will put trust in my ability to light a road flare whilst being charged by an enraged sow grizzly.

 

silly russkies.

 

 

[dorianlee]

I'm kind of suprised. I would have figured Barry Blanchard could have taken on a Grizzly barehanded and won easy.

[sobo]

I'm kind of suprised. I would have figured Barry Blanchard could have taken on a Grizzly barehanded and won easy.

I woulda thought he woulda roundhouse kicked that grizzleback into next week. Chuck sure woulda...

[wfinley]

The Russians use road flares. Bears fear the flame and the smoke "blinds" their primary sense which is smell. Plus it is pain free so it doesn't piss them off.

 

Bear spray is sometimes ineffective and the smell attracts other bears to the area.

 

All you ever wanted to know about pepper spray, guns & bears:

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/are-guns-more-effective-pepper-spray-alaska-bear-attack?page=0,0

[jlawrence10]

This is an oldie but a goodie:

 

http://www.outdooroddities.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/grizzly_bear_warning_sign.jpg

[j_b]

it's not Alaska, it's Lake Louise.

[AlpineK]

Now this is what you want

 

[video:youtube]

[Rad]

[JasonG]

Thanks for the excellent article from AK. Working up there for several seasons and walking salmon streams on a daily basis, I was charged several times (and one time stalked by a charging subadult male for the longest 10 minutes of my life). We always carried a gun (shotgun with slugs), but things happen so fast that it is rarely off your shoulder and ready to fire before it is over (bear usually veered at the last second, amid much cursing). Those with pepper spray always had it out and ready to spray before whomever had the gun. As a matter of fact, a co-worker's life was spared through the use of pepper spray at close range (the bear was standing over the top of her and she emptied it into its mouth). So, in my experience, pepper spray is the way to go. And make sure to make a lot of noise (doesn't always work though when it is windy or you are near rushing water).

 

My experiences in brown bear country are also the prime reason why I am not excited about the push to recover them in the North Cascades.

[bstach]

Now this is what you want

 

[video:youtube]

 

OMG...Project Grizzly is one of the funniest movies ever. Go rent this movie. True story about a crazy Canuck's attempt to build a bear proof suit.

[korup]

Borge Ousland, with some other bears getting waaaaay too close, direct hit with a flare: