Grizzly attack chances more than human/car-YNP

"The chances of a serious attack on people in wilderness bear country are much higher than the chance of an attack by a human or being struck by lightning."

"During the time you spend traveling in the backcountry in Yellowstone park, you have about the same chance of dying from a grizzly bear attack, as you have of dying in a car accident if you spend the time in the rest of the United States."

"Read more: https://www.ammoland.com/2019/09/bears-o.../#ixzz5zoG9xiAB
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Fascinating! Thanks for posting it. It's starting to look like the long held conventional wisdom that bears are more like Yogi Bear than apex predators was misleading.

The Ammoland article contained a link to the NPS Yellowstone bear safety web page where one learns that since the park waas established, 121 people have perished from drowning, 26 have died by suicide, and 21 have died from burns incurred in hot springs. During that time, eight fatalities were caused by grizzlies.

The park suggests use of bear spray, stating that keeping it handy, along with a bit of practice, is a good idea. They also suggest other "good ideas"

The Ammoland article comes on strong in advocating a good firearm for bear defense. What else would a mag named "Ammoland" advocate?

The article mentions that drownings are rare in the Sahara. I don't know about the Sahara, but in the Sonoran desert, close to Tucson, AZ, drowning was a very close second to falls in fatality incidents furing the time I was active there. Not intuitive, but true.

The author rather vaguely state that if you meet a stranger in the backwoods you should be "wary," which term is undefined. Probably one should be careful around strangers, either in the woods or in town, until the situation clarifies.

When I go out, I try and equip myself for foreseeable emergencies, giving due regard to what ever weight might be involved and the versatility of whatever is contemplated for space in my pack.

In the summer in the desert, that means lots of water; in the winter, more warm clothes or even a sleeping bag. In precipitous terrain, (my favorite!) I will pack a climbing rope and maybe even minimal climbing gear. A firearm rarely makes the cut.

For the record, i am not anti-gun. i own several. When we had to leave our house because of the Thomas fire a couple of years ago, I carried my 357, as did Mrs. hikermor. We were going by vehicle into a very unknown situation, mostly urban in nature. In the wilderness, I would not have been nearly as concerned.

One needs to understand the hazards to be confronted, and acquire the skills and equipment to deal with potential problems, whatever they are.

Good points!

Lets put things is perspective: 7 people killed by Bears in the park over the last 100 years. Just in 2019 so far, Traffic deaths in Wyoming 102, Idaho 49 and Montana 142. However you drive into the park, which has to be through one or two of these states you are far safer after you leave your car for the safety of wilderness areas of the park.

Yes you need to be respectful of Grizzly Bears, learn and practice Bear Safety and Awareness if you travel anywhere in Bear Country and yes Bear spray works, but 1 person killed every 14 years is not an epidemic of Bear Attacks. Just means we have to be bear aware as we travel and learn to understand and respect them.

Well said.

https://www.foxnews.com/great-outdoors/fourth-montana-hunter-grizzly-bear

"Fourth Montana hunter attacked by a grizzly bear in 10 days"

"But, but, but, there were no deaths!"

The went a-hunting and became the hunted. It would be interesting to know more about their behavior and the circumstances.

What conclusions do you draw from these events? What are your recommendations?

What the world needs, obviously, is a combination .358 Magnum and trekking pole (maybe in titanium for the ultralight enthusiast).

inReach device saves from grizzly.

“We can’t stress enough the importance to be prepared when venturing in the wilderness as anything can happen.”

https://nationalpost.com/news/national/u...oe-trip-rescued

Yikes! Four in a week and a half, and all of them in my back yard!

... are packs of wolves a higher priority danger than brown/grizzly attacks? or is that a myth?...I am really uninformed... down here the stray cat population has been decimated by coyotes... a friend down in Highlands county had problems in the last couple of years losing new born calves to coyotes

I see and hear coyotes n town routinely. We keep our kitties indoors. don't think coyotes, even when they are ingroups, are a threat to humans. Young children might be an exception.

Coyotes-do keep down the rodent population, which in many places carry diseases fatal to humans (e.g.,hanta virus), so there is something to be said for having them around.

Coyotes are smart. Mostly they seem smart enough to leave the apex predator species alone.

Which is probably why they have increased their range, even to such places as Florida

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerhead_(firearm)

UncleGoo...many years ago, saw a boat that had its hull holed by a 12ga power head that had been dropped ... it was afloat only thanks to the flotation... did not have the safety pin installed on the power head...

Heh, those safeties only work when they're used;-)
I'll bet that made some people jump, when it went off.

I just saw your location. I used to live on James St. just north of Gulf Dr...1984-5. Long time ago, now.