It's a tough summer for bears

**wildWoman** · 07-24-2012, 08:43 PM

... across the southern and mid-Yukon Territory. Spring was late and cold, so not much green stuff was available as they came out of hibernation. And summer has been cold and on the rainy side, so the developing berry crops range from being infected with mold or fungi to poor to non-existent. In many locations, the bears started the year skinny and are starting to get increasingly desperate. They have have been foraging in and around towns in record numbers, going through garbage cans and breaking into cabins; so far, 11 bears were shot and killed in Whitehorse (pop. 23000), 8 in Haines Junction (pop. 2000) and another 8 bears in other communities - blacks and grizzlies.

Why make a topic out of this? Because this is the sort of info we should have about the ecosystems we plan on doing survival stuff in, going hiking or camping. It helps to understand the attitude of animals we may encounter out there, in this case bears, who could behave somewhat differently from "normal".

Do you guys bother thinking about stuff like this when you go out? Do you pay attention to what the plants look like where you're going, and what the state they're in means for the critters all around you? And if that has any implications for what or how you do stuff out there?

**Sourdough** · 07-24-2012, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by wildWoman

Do you guys bother thinking about stuff like this when you go out? Do you pay attention to what the plants look like where you're going, and what the state they're in means for the critters all around you? And if that has any implications for what or how you do stuff out there?

100% I do.

I study what is in their scat and watch what they are eating, and how badly rubbed they are. I also note how many cubs make it to the second year, and to the end of the first summer. I also keep track of the ever changing ratio of Grizzly/Brown Bears to Black Bears.

I also study why one type bear walks the same trail in the opposite direction of the other type bear. I watch them den on the mountain in back of the cabin. I watch them go in and out for a week or more in the spring. I also monitor all of the bear baiting stations around here for violations and report them to Alaska State Troopers Wildlife Enforcement.

Studying bears is my greatest passion. I hike down to the river and watch them eat Silver Salmon this time of year.

**hunter63** · 07-24-2012, 09:05 PM

As a hunter, I watch where crops are, whats planted, how they are doing, as feeding and bedding are important to locate game.
Not many bears around here in SW Wisconsin, although one was sighted up river...no confirmation as far as I know.

I am on a river, so i watch tracks in the mud, water levels...low water will concentrate fish in deep holes, so pays to know where tehse are as the river changes from year to year.

So, yeah, I pay attention to whats going on.

**crashdive123** · 07-24-2012, 10:36 PM

While bears are not an issue here, I do pay close attention. One of the things that has affected the area greatly are the two tropical storms we had. Mosquito populations have exploded with the mild winter and the rains that we've had. Some areas have been submerged, so gators are often on my mind.

For me - there is little point to be out in the woods unless I'm paying attention. Being grateful starts with being observant.

**Rick** · 07-24-2012, 10:46 PM

When you can't hear you had better be observant. You betcha.

**crashdive123** · 07-24-2012, 10:48 PM

We've gotta get you one of those Miracle Ear thingies.

**Rick** · 07-24-2012, 10:52 PM

I got me them bionic ears. They got three settings. 1. Squeeling at every sound. 2. Squeeling at most sounds and 3. Squeeling when using the phone.

**ClayPick** · 07-25-2012, 07:54 AM

The weather does forces a person to re evaluate the food chain. I find it amazing how only a few degrees can determine boom or bust. Most of my livelihood has been dependent on fishing, farming and working in the woods. Developing an intimate relationship with weather and the effect it has on my immediate surroundings has always been a given. The berry crop here is better than it has been in years and my wife and I have been busy sharing with the bears (along with a can of bear spray that expired last month).

**wildWoman** · 07-25-2012, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Sourdough

100% I do.

I study what is in their scat and watch what they are eating, and how badly rubbed they are. I also note how many cubs make it to the second year, and to the end of the first summer. I also keep track of the ever changing ratio of Grizzly/Brown Bears to Black Bears.

I also study why one type bear walks the same trail in the opposite direction of the other type bear. I watch them den on the mountain in back of the cabin. I watch them go in and out for a week or more in the spring. I also monitor all of the bear baiting stations around here for violations and report them to Alaska State Troopers Wildlife Enforcement.

Studying bears is my greatest passion. I hike down to the river and watch them eat Silver Salmon this time of year.

Yeah, you're in a prime area for that, lucky you! Or smart you. We all choose where we live, of course...we're not in a good location for watching bears.
Seems like here the bears ate more moose calves than usually this year, from the scat I've found. A friend of ours who lives at the end of a gravel road had a grizzly kill a calf just 100 yards from his cabin last week.

So what have you noticed when it comes to the black bear-grizzly ratio? How are your salmon runs, still okay?

And do you know if sows in heat will mark a new tree close to an existing rubbing tree? And what the biting into trees and pulling out mouthfuls of splinters is for?