My neighbor shot this little critter after catching it in his chicken yard after some free food. He's estimated to be only an 8 footer. So he had a ways to go before reaching full size as a Kodiak bear. Too bad for him, but he was gonna be a perpetual problem.
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OK I suppose it wasn't fair to call it a "little critter." He is after all the same species as the largest land predator on the planet. He was one of a dozen or so wandering our little town looking for an easy meal before winter arrives. An unusually high number. This one was tagged about 200 yards from my house.
Probably no barbecues with this meat. That bear meat while edible, isn't particularly tasty without a significant amount of marinade treatment. It may get eaten or maybe not.
The bear was a victim of DLP - Defense of Life or Property and according to the the AK state troopers a justifiable homicide. However, the shooter is always required to skin the bear out and turn all remains including the hide and skull over to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. This tends to make shooters think twice before pulling the trigger.
OK I suppose it wasn't fair to call it a "little critter." He is after all the same species as the largest land predator on the planet. He was one of a dozen or so wandering our little town looking for an easy meal before winter arrives. An unusually high number. This one was tagged about 200 yards from my house.
Probably no barbecues with this meat. That bear meat while edible, isn't particularly tasty without a significant amount of marinade treatment. It may get eaten or maybe not.
The bear was a victim of DLP - Defense of Life or Property and according to the the AK state troopers a justifiable homicide. However, the shooter is always required to skin the bear out and turn all remains including the hide and skull over to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. This tends to make shooters think twice before pulling the trigger.
Here's another good profile shot:
I'm sorry, it just makes me sad to think that BEAUTIFUL Big Bear lived for Nothing! I was really hoping you'd say, something to the extent of, "We take full advantage of that meat and many people eat from it."
Oddly enough, here in Ohio we consider Rattle Snake meat a 'luxury' but in Arizona it's considered as gross as eating a street rat or pigeon from New York City!
...even the toughest, most tasteless part of a cow can make great stew!
...Why can't that bear be used? There are hungry people everywhere that would benefit from the protein of that meat.
Most large carnivores, especially the large bears, eat mostly dead animals or carrion. They don't always kill their own meals as they are opportunists and are perfectly happy to steal a meal from another predator or dine on a "found" carcasss that may be pretty ripe long before they find it.
This isn't exactly a recipe for great tasting or healthy meat and most Brown bears aren't eaten for this reason. Trichinosis is fairly common in bear populations,but the larger bears take it to another level with their diet. I believe this is why it is not required to salvage the meat of the big bears. In our area, black bears are eaten and it is considered a violation of game laws to waste the meat, but black bears have a slightly different diet than the larger bears, mostly grasses, berries, skunk cabbage, wild onion, grubs, some fresh killed deer/elk- even though they will also occasionally dine on carrion if that is what is available at the moment.
That is a big boy in anyone's book. Sure wouldn't want to run into him in the dark if I wasn't properly armed and aware.....
Bob
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I'm sorry, it just makes me sad to think that BEAUTIFUL Big Bear lived for Nothing! I was really hoping you'd say, something to the extent of, "We take full advantage of that meat and many people eat from it."
Oddly enough, here in Ohio we consider Rattle Snake meat a 'luxury' but in Arizona it's considered as gross as eating a street rat or pigeon from New York City!
...even the toughest, most tasteless part of a cow can make great stew!
...Why can't that bear be used? There are hungry people everywhere that would benefit from the protein of that meat.
Blessings,
Lisa
That bear would still be alive today had he/she not tried to make a humans property his/her own. As a hunter myself I am all for eating whatever is killed, but bear meat is known to not be particularly edible, and when you are not at the top of the food chain and under siege by those that are...well, I think your view of things might change a little. All the creatures of this earth are beautiful to me and should be respected, but that doesn't mean that some of them won't end up on a plate on my table.
Lisa, no one is more sad about that animal's wasted life than those of us who live here and love these animals. Our bear conservation efforts in Kodiak are world renowned. Everyone here knows they have to keep trash and dog food, etc. inaccessible to the bears. Course that's part of the problem. Experts here say our bear population is as high as it's ever been (around 4000). This causes many of them to move away from their dangerous brethren and into town where it's as bad or worse.
BS is right as to the edibility of the meat due to diet. Our bears live primarily on fish, berries and various other indigenous plants. Right now, when the fish and berries are scarce, they'll eat almost anything else. I find new piles of bear scat around here almost every day. Lately these piles included paper, plastics and styrofoam. Brings a whole new meaning to the word "omnivore."
Lisa, no one is more sad about that animal's wasted life than those of us who live here and love these animals. Our bear conservation efforts in Kodiak are world renowned. Everyone here knows they have to keep trash and dog food, etc. inaccessible to the bears. Course that's part of the problem. Experts here say our bear population is as high as it's ever been (around 4000). This causes many of them to move away from their dangerous brethren and into town where it's as bad or worse.
I agree here. I have a old friend that lives near Anchorage and can easily say Alaskans seem to have a greater grasp on animal life and protecting species than most people I have ever met.
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... Too bad for him, but he was gonna be a perpetual problem.
I think too often we forget about this part. The bear gets a decent meal from a trash can once, and he learns. The subsequent times he's bolder and less likely to be spooked if someone happens upon him mid-meal. So one dark evening you take your garbage outside and there's a 9 foot bear who's mad he got interrupted, and you're startled and panicked.... recipe for very bad things. We live worlds apart but the gators here in Florida are treated the same way. Leave them be - but don't tolerate them presenting that kind of a danger.
You'll often find those who hunt are the most concerned about wildlife conservation. Our hunting licenses pay for that and we often donate to the causes. The person who kills an animal legally is often the one who has the most respect for that life.
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big varmit, looks to be an oversized badger
maybe some bigger predators are needed in your area.
maybe some naked stew........oh.... i mean bear stew ;0)
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I spent some time on Kodiak Island in the early 60's (Navy Aviator). If I remember right there was a very large bear mounted standing on his hid legs in front of one of the buildings in town. Is it still there? -- Chuck
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I spent some time on Kodiak Island in the early 60's (Navy Aviator). If I remember right there was a very large bear mounted standing on his hid legs in front of one of the buildings in town. Is it still there? -- Chuck
LOL, yep! I believe you're referring to a bear casting on a 3' high concrete stand that was dedicated to a couple old timer guides that was posted in front of the harbor master's office downtown about 50 years ago. It was in sad shape and was warehoused about eight years ago. Five years ago, one of my scouts (I'm the scoutmaster) made it his Eagle Scout project to restore. So it's now almost as good as new and has moved a couple times to its present location in front of our Fish and Game museum downtown. I refer to as Cindy Bear (Yogi's girlfriend) because it's a really small bear (not even 8'), but appears big on the tall concrete stand.
BTW, that scout is now a plebe at the US Naval Academy. His dad (Steve Bonn) is a highly decorated HH-60 pilot for the USCG.
LOL, yep! I believe you're referring to a bear casting on a 3' high concrete stand that was dedicated to a couple old timer guides that was posted in front of the harbor master's office downtown about 50 years ago. It was in sad shape and was warehoused about eight years ago. Five years ago, one of my scouts (I'm the scoutmaster) made it his Eagle Scout project to restore. So it's now almost as good as new and has moved a couple times to its present location in front of our Fish and Game museum downtown. I refer to as Cindy Bear (Yogi's girlfriend) because it's a really small bear (not even 8'), but appears big on the tall concrete stand.
BTW, that scout is now a plebe at the US Naval Academy. His dad (Steve Bonn) is a highly decorated HH-60 pilot for the USCG.
Hunters and outdoorsmen are known to be highly interested in ensuring animal populations are supported and maintained. Long after I gave up hunting I continued to buy a license and a duck stamp just to help maintain. I have a fishing license right now and never made it out one time this season.
OTOH, I get so angry when I hear, for example, about people who have moved into the foothills of Colorado because they want to get out into the country and away from the city and then are dismayed and upset when they find cougar tracks across their property. Well duh, you moved into their neighborhood, what did you expect? Learn to coexist.
d
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Just a random thought. Couldn't you load up the 12 gauge so the first two rounds are the pepper spray/capsasian that the police use (non-lethal), followed up by slugs so if the pepper rounds didn't work ...well you'd have a plan "B" ????
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Just a random thought. Couldn't you load up the 12 gauge so the first two rounds are the pepper spray/capsasian that the police use (non-lethal), followed up by slugs so if the pepper rounds didn't work ...well you'd have a plan "B" ????
Not really. Consider that once a bear is habituated to getting his meals in a populated area, sooner or later somebody is going to come along that isn't aware or prepared for the presence of this monster and is going to end up getting hurt (or worse). Best to take care of the problem as soon as possible while you can control the situation.
The pepper spray would be a temporary deterrent (if it worked), and slugs are considered a poor bear killing round in most circles- at least for bears this size.
Bob
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Just a random thought. Couldn't you load up the 12 gauge so the first two rounds are the pepper spray/capsasian that the police use (non-lethal), followed up by slugs so if the pepper rounds didn't work ...well you'd have a plan "B" ????
I assume you know how to tell whether you are in the midst of black bears or grizzly/brown bears?
Not really. Consider that once a bear is habituated to getting his meals in a populated area, sooner or later somebody is going to come along that isn't aware or prepared for the presence of this monster and is going to end up getting hurt (or worse). Best to take care of the problem as soon as possible while you can control the situation.
The pepper spray would be a temporary deterrent (if it worked), and slugs are considered a poor bear killing round in most circles- at least for bears this size.
Bob
Besides that, and I am no expert, but I was told this by an individual that hunts bear WITH A BOW!, that if you stimulate a bears adrenal glands and have not landed a fatal blow to either his heart or his head with the first shot, there is a good chance he/she will come after you with a vengence and NOT STOP. He always hunts with another person that is armed with a high powered rifle as a backup, but he said that it is still an extremely dangerous hunt. These are BIG and POWERFUL animals.
Just a random thought. Couldn't you load up the 12 gauge so the first two rounds are the pepper spray/capsasian that the police use (non-lethal), followed up by slugs so if the pepper rounds didn't work ...well you'd have a plan "B" ????
As mentioned above, it's been habituated to humans.
I was in Denali the last week in August when the guy from California was killed by a grizzly and they found and killed the bear. We were wondering why they'd kill the bear and we talked to some rangers. They said if the bear killed the guy, and went on his way, they'd have done nothing. However the bear consumed part of the person and now views humans as a food source so they bear had to be destroyed. Bad situation for the bear, but that's how it goes.
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OK Thanks....I don't much about grizzlys. I guess that makes sense. I was always told that for protection in grizzly bear country a shotgun with alternating 00buck and slugs was a preferred method of protection (obviously not the preferred hunting weapon) I guess that's assuming you would be firing at very close range. I have no interest in ever killing one, I believe you eat what you kill and they aren't very good eating.
The National Park Rangers are advising hikers in Glacier National Park and other Rocky Mountain parks to be alert for bears and take extra precautions to avoid an encounter.
They advise park visitors to wear little bells on their clothes so they make noise when hiking. The bell noise allows bears to hear them coming from a distance and not be startled by a hiker accidentally sneaking up on them. This might cause a bear to charge.
Visitors should also carry a pepper spray can just in case a bear is encountered. Spraying the pepper into the air will irritate the bear's sensitive nose and it will run away.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh bear scat so you have an idea if bears are in the area. People should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat.
Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper.
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"A parent's only as good as their dumbest kid. If one wins a Nobel Prize but the other gets robbed by a hooker, you failed."
I was in Denali the last week in August when the guy from California was killed by a grizzly and they found and killed the bear. We were wondering why they'd kill the bear and we talked to some rangers. They said if the bear killed the guy, and went on his way, they'd have done nothing. However the bear consumed part of the person and now views humans as a food source so they bear had to be destroyed. Bad situation for the bear, but that's how it goes.
That story became national news but this story I found interesting and frightening. Poor dude didn't really do anything to deserve getting eaten...
Despite what you may think, I'm on NO-ONES side (bear -vs- human)!
I deal with harmless deer (except when they hit your car!!!) in Ohio, which are hunted and eaten all the time in this area.
I DO understand the threat to humans in Alaska and any National Park area, as well as suburban areas where they Do Not belong.
My point was simply, "It was sad, TO ME, that the bear meat could not be used for something." ...I'm pretty darn sure my dog would Love eating dried bear meat!
Not really. Consider that once a bear is habituated to getting his meals in a populated area, sooner or later somebody is going to come along that isn't aware or prepared for the presence of this monster and is going to end up getting hurt (or worse). Best to take care of the problem as soon as possible while you can control the situation.
The pepper spray would be a temporary deterrent (if it worked), and slugs are considered a poor bear killing round in most circles- at least for bears this size.
Bob
What would be a more appropriate weapon/round? I've heard of a .45-70 being a good "Bear gun"
Keeping this in the spirit of the thread, keep in mind this bear was killed while raiding someone's garbage. That means it was close to civilization. In that case, if you lived in this area you would probably have an appropriate rifle/pistol in the corner by the back door- be it a 45/70, etc.... You don't want to be shooting through a couple houses protecting your garbage, which is probably why some use buckshot/slugs in situations like this.
If you're going on a hunt for a bear this size, that is another ball game and most guys I know who have hunted Brown bears, start at the .338 Win mag and go up from there. I know a couple who use .375 H&H, 458 Win mag, 378 Weatherby, etc... basically the biggest round you can manage.
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Building an original style CSX 427SC frame/body car with Carbon fiber body, 393W stroker, T5 (for now), T-bird IRS w/3.27 gears, dual roll bars, and lots of decisions yet to make.
LOL, yep! I believe you're referring to a bear casting on a 3' high concrete stand that was dedicated to a couple old timer guides that was posted in front of the harbor master's office downtown about 50 years ago. It was in sad shape and was warehoused about eight years ago. Five years ago, one of my scouts (I'm the scoutmaster) made it his Eagle Scout project to restore. So it's now almost as good as new and has moved a couple times to its present location in front of our Fish and Game museum downtown. I refer to as Cindy Bear (Yogi's girlfriend) because it's a really small bear (not even 8'), but appears big on the tall concrete stand.
BTW, that scout is now a plebe at the US Naval Academy. His dad (Steve Bonn) is a highly decorated HH-60 pilot for the USCG.
Yep, that is the one..........I was last in kodiak in 1964 and remember going past the bear. You are right it looked big to me. One of my memorys of Kodiak was the squadron buying king crab CHEAP right off the boats and cooking them in a split 55 gallon drum. Thanks -- Chuck
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What would be a more appropriate weapon/round? I've heard of a .45-70 being a good "Bear gun"
The .45-70 is a good close-in big bear gun and a popular choice for guides. BS is right on the money with other hunting options but I would say the .338 Win mag is probably the most popular. I'm not sure exactly what the shooter used here, but he shot him in the mouth from about 30' and he dropped like a rock.
For protection, IMHO, a good oil-based spray (e.g., Counter Assault) is the best defense. Most people 1) just aren't that proficient with guns and 2) just aren't proficient at skinning a bear either. In any case, this bear's days were numbered.
BTW, I just discovered this bear had just finished ravaging several domestic ducks and their pen belonging to some friends about 1/4 mile up the road.
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, that if you stimulate a bears adrenal glands and have not landed a fatal blow to either his heart or his head with the first shot, there is a good chance he/she will come after you with a vengence and NOT STOP. He always hunts with another person that is armed with a high powered rifle as a backup, but he said that it is still an extremely dangerous hunt. These are BIG and POWERFUL animals.
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