lancetkenyon Report post Posted September 18, 2014 I have one account of a bear incident involving a fisherman here in AZ. One of my Dad's good friends went to the San Carlos Res and was fishing the Black River 30+ years ago. He was alone. Scheduled to be gone 4 days. Day 5, no word of him. Day 6, authorities are called. Day 8, his camp is found. Tent is torn up, sleeping bag is torn up, nothing of the guy at first. Some remains were found, along with lots of bear sign around the tent. No bear was ever found to confirm. It is not known if the bear/bears got to the guy pre or post death. It is probable he died from something and the bear/bears just found the remains. He was not suicidal, no weapons were missing/found fired, no knife with human blood, no pills, etc. No other human traffic was noted near the site either. A tragic mystery either way. Back about 20 years ago, I went to the same river, and thought about this the entire time. On my third day, I came to the river early in the morning, and on the opposite bank with about 20' of 6" deep water separating us, was a big black bear.....we eyed each other for all of 2 seconds before it bolted into the woods...and I nearly had to wash out my shorts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bhuntin Report post Posted September 20, 2014 TRU DAT FLATLANDER!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZLance Report post Posted September 23, 2014 http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/09/23/rutgers-student-believed-killed-by-new-jersey-first-fatal-bear-attack-in-150/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted September 23, 2014 Chalk another attack up to gun control laws. Do you think that attack would happen in AZ? 5 guys hiking in AZ would have at least 3 guns on them... To the young man and his family, truly a tragic attack. A little "stand your ground" by the 5 guys might have avoided this too. I doubt the bear would have attacked if they didn't scatter and run. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjvcon Report post Posted October 1, 2014 True...most bears don't want any part of a hunter...but I give them their due. Even a smaller bear is capable of delivering some major damage if pressed. I don't get scared if I see a bear...its pretty cool. But I don't try to agitate them...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjvcon Report post Posted October 1, 2014 And there is always that one that does what you don't expect..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted October 1, 2014 I've been hunting over 30 years in one of the densest bear units in the state. Never had a problem. I glassed up a sow with 2 cubs one day, and they decided to visit our camp that night. Momma gave the cubs a scolding and they ran off into the night, No harm done. However, I was on the other side of the tent wall with a loaded rifle, fully aware of what was outside, If any claws came through the side of the tent it would have ended badly for the bear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
