yahoo news just printed a story about a canoeist & his dog were attacked by black bear. He killed the bear with 15 cm knife. Do you carry a survival knife on such outdoor trips?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/23072006/3/canada-canoeist-stabs-bear-death-ontario.html

Define survival knife.

15cm.. thats six inches, that isn't that big.

I wouldn't happily trek through bear country without at least bear spray, and I would prefer to take a shotgun loaded with slugs along with a powerful pistol. If there's a phobia that equates to fear of bears, though, I'm sure I have it so there you go. Sorry mister bear, but I'm the the top predator, okay?

I'm angry at this article because it doesn't mention whether or not the dog was OK. According to that foul monstrosity known as Wikipedia, the Staffordshire terrier was originally bred for bull and bear baiting. I wonder if Mr. Tilley chose the breed for this reason.

The dog is okay. http://www.wawa-news.com/Newspages/07-21/Bear.html

At the end of the article posted by Pcard120, it mentioned some other deaths by bears. One of them was a woman who was... running.... on a trail... in grizzly country.

Sue

When in bear country I carry a 12 guage with 18 in barrel, "0" buck and slugs alternated. This was recommended by a Park Ranger from Alaska. It fits between the frame and pack of an external frame pack and is easily accessable from that position. Only pulled it once hiking the John Muir trail, but stepping off the trail allowed the bear to pass without incident.

[quotethe Staffordshire terrier was originally bred for bull and bear baiting. ] [/quote]

The dog the article says he has is an American Staffordshire, which is a distinct breed apart from Stafforshire Terriers (they look similar but the AmStaffs are quite a bit larger), though they do come from the same root stock of bear/bull baiting Bulldogs in England. The photo in the second article actually looks like an American Bulldog (also from the same root), but being unable to see the whole body it's hard to tell.

Either way - I'm glad the dog was ok.

I am guessing you hiked outside of National Parks. It is my understanding they don't allow weapons there?

In the national parks, they have special classes to teach the bears not to attack because the hikers aren't armed. That wouldn't be very sporting of them, would it?

You do not need a gun with Sierra Black Bears; they are easily scared away unless they are holding your food which should have been in a bear canister.
With proper food storage technique in the Sierra; bears are not a real problem.

On another note I just got an Ursack
"bullet proof" bear canister. Very light and bear proof.