Bear Awareness from Mors Kochanski

**RangerXanatos** · 09-25-2013, 10:30 AM

I came across this video by Mors Kochanski from Karamat Wilderness Ways.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3QT-Nrd9Iw

1. Read all information available. One small brochure will not teach you everything.
2. Don't be passive.
3. A good sturdy stick across the nose is a good 'equalizer.'
4. A road flare can blind and release noxious fumes for a bear.

I'm surprised Mors didn't mention bear spray?

**Rick** · 09-25-2013, 11:41 AM

I know nothing about bears. Nothing. Less than nothing. But I'll be danged if my line of defense would be a road flare. A charging bear is going to give a few precious seconds to defend myself, I'm guessing only because (s)he can't close the gap faster, and I'm going to be trying to pull out and strike a road flare? Ain't gonna happen. I'd be lucky to get the bear spray out and used. And if the bear ain't botherin' me I sure ain't going lookin' for trouble. I don't poke a hornets nest or wake sleeping dogs. I will back away from all three.

**welderguy** · 09-25-2013, 12:11 PM

Rick you forgot to mention the stick to the nose, So is that one you would do?

**crashdive123** · 09-25-2013, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

I know nothing about bears. Nothing. Less than nothing. But I'll be danged if my line of defense would be a road flare. A charging bear is going to give a few precious seconds to defend myself, I'm guessing only because (s)he can't close the gap faster, and I'm going to be trying to pull out and strike a road flare? Ain't gonna happen. I'd be lucky to get the bear spray out and used. And if the bear ain't botherin' me I sure ain't going lookin' for trouble. I don't poke a hornets nest or wake sleeping dogs. I will back away from all three.

You could always throw H63 at it. He carries road flares.

**Rick** · 09-25-2013, 01:00 PM

I would be flogging that bear with anything I could lay my hands on for as long as he let me. If I could give him a good azz tannin' I'd even do that. If yellin' kennel doesn't work and shakin' the club at him doesn't work I'm in big trouble.

Maybe just out run Hunter? I might be able to do that. The poor bear would probably die laughing watchin' us old geezers running down the road shovin' each other for advantage.

**Seniorman** · 09-25-2013, 02:01 PM

As Kochanski said in his video, he lives by his rules and others live by their rules. I do wonder if he has ever been charged on a serious basis by a Black bear where he used his road flare or his baton to smack the bear across the nose and save himself??

As far as just letting a Black bear maul you if you have no weapon(s) with which to defend yourself, it is well known that if a Black bear attacks you, he is going to do his best to kill you and eat you. A Grizzly may just tear the living Hell out of you and then leave you alone with your terrible wounds... but that Black bear has a fatal plan for you.

I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, I am a bit faster and more accurate with my S&W 57 .41 Magnum, than I am with trying to pull out a road flare, scratch one end and then wave it at a bear that is charging me at about 35/40 miles per hour. Same goes for my centerfire rifle.

Of course, being in Canada, Korchanski is forbidden to protect himself using a handgun from an attack by a large, vicious predator. He also said he doesn't carry a rifle in bear country, preferring his baton and/or road flare. But... whatever works for each individual is fine with me. Different strokes for different folks, so to speak.

S.M.

**hunter63** · 09-25-2013, 02:12 PM

That would be a sight.....grouchy old bear chasing several grouchy old guys....and if the gout is acting up....I guess I'll just have to stop and out grouch him and beat him with my cane......Y'all just skeddle, ......I'll be along directly.

**1stimestar** · 09-25-2013, 02:21 PM

Black bears you want to fight, brown bears or grizzlies, if impact is inevitable, you want to play dead.

**tsitenha** · 09-25-2013, 04:49 PM

Closest I have ever been sneaked up by a black bear was about a foot away from my ear. I was on a bear watch, guarding a friends bee hives, back to a snow fence. The bear was there; he never seen me or I it. He let out a piff oss growl causing me to stand, he had gotten his head in a snare that I had placed, in all the exitment it never fully set and he was able the claw it off. I chased around the fence enclosure, after it. Well he took off, and outran me into the bush. It was after 1am so I returned the the watch, checked my unmentionables because I think he may have gotten in there before me and messed things up but all was in order. I did have a "cruiser" with me even so would have not have used it in time, next time don't sit with your back against a fence and (bring an extra pair of bloomers) .
I do carry a short staff and pepper spray with me when the cruiser stays home. I don't really feel afraid just cautious with bears, worse things out there.

**Rick** · 09-25-2013, 08:38 PM

Let me get this straight. It's 1 a.m. and you're baby sitting your friend's bees? That's a pretty good friend and you are one too. I would have given him the "are you out of your mind?" look.

**welderguy** · 09-25-2013, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by 1stimestar

Black bears you want to fight, brown bears or grizzlies, if impact is inevitable, you want to play dead.

I like how you say that, Like its just routine. LOL Its hard to fight anything when I'm screaming like a girl and running.

**tsitenha** · 09-25-2013, 09:07 PM

Yes Rick he was a good friend. I couldn't go with him last time watching his back....he got trampled by a bull... hard to live with that on my mind.

**1stimestar** · 09-26-2013, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by welderguy

I like how you say that, Like its just routine. LOL Its hard to fight anything when I'm screaming like a girl and running.

Oh poor Welderguy. I would not want you to become fast food.

**WolfVanZandt** · 09-26-2013, 03:10 AM

What I've been reading is, if you're going to be in bear country, have bear spray and know how to use it.

**Wildthang** · 09-26-2013, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by WolfVanZandt

What I've been reading is, if you're going to be in bear country, have bear spray and know how to use it.

Even better, bear spray and a .454 Casull as backup!

**Seniorman** · 09-26-2013, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by WolfVanZandt

What I've been reading is, if you're going to be in bear country, have bear spray and know how to use it.

Originally Posted by Wildthang

Even better, bear spray and a .454 Casull as backup!

Well, the "Better a can of bear spray rather than a firearm," and the "Better a firearm than a can of bear spray" discussions (arguments?) have been on going for quite some time. Anyone, however, who thinks that Black bears are just harmless, cuddly fuzz balls who are funny clowns out in the woods, is an extremely ignorant, naive person.

Without getting into a "This is better than that ..." discussion, here is an interesting Alaskan site where bear activity is discussed. These people are around bears, Black and Griz, very often.

http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/...-calls-at-bait

S.M.

**tsitenha** · 09-29-2013, 10:19 PM

Hi Seniorman, guess that makes me " is an extremely ignorant, naive person" oh its naive for a second I read native. There are a couple of bears in Kanata also

Bear are like people many characters out there, not all are to be feared at all cost.
I recommend caution/awareness not fear.

I do miss my friend Walter a lot and that's not a lot of bull...Oh wait... it was

**Seniorman** · 09-30-2013, 01:47 PM

TSITENHA- " ... I recommend caution/awareness not fear. ...

So do I.

I've been around Black bears quite a few times in the Sierra of California, the Rocky Mountains of Utah, Colorado, and Idaho. I don't fear them. I respect them for what they are: big, powerful, unpredictable, predators. So long as they leave me and mine alone, I'll leave them alone. But ... I never take a Black bear for granted. As I said, they're very unpredictable.

"Caution" and "awareness" are the watchwords.

S.M.