NJ has a lot of black bears where I live. This is funny and I thought you all would enjoy it. www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/black_bear_attacks_vernon_man.html
We had one out here up in San Bernardino, where the bear broke into the house and opened the fridge, where he found some chocolates and ate them, then tried to get a bottle of champagne open with no success. I wonder what he was celebrating. And nobody got hurt.
Maybe I'm missing something, but how is being attacked by a bear and potentially killed "funny". I don't want to stir any discontent, but I've been charged by a black bear while camping some years ago. Made it back to the cabin with about 10-15 yards to spare between me and the bear. It was anything but funny. Bears are way faster than you might think based on what you see on TV.
I dont have to see them on TV, I see them almost ever day in my yard, riding my dirt bike, hiking on the trails. If one jumped me and just took my lunch, I would laugh and be very happy (and thankful) Do not mean to offend you. If the gentleman was injured, I would not find that funny. When I crash hard on my bike or a friend, first reaction concern, then if everyone okay, we laugh about it.
I have spent a considerable amount of time hunting black bear in Idaho. Not that makes me an expert but I can tell you that there is no way a man can out run one. All you can hope for is a big head start. I haven't been able to figure out why it is thought that climbing a tree is a way to escape one, because bears can run up trees. My Dad worked with a woman who refused to pack while in bear country and unfortunately received a black bear mauling that included the loss of her hands and feet. I respect black bears. For the most part they are shy and keep to themselves, but just like with people, s%^# happens.
They're North Jersey Black Bears! They have a New York Metropolitan accent something like Tony Saprano. What worries me is NJ Fish and Wildlife is going to trap and then release the bear someplace down in the New Jersey Pine Barrens... just like the Sapranos use to do. Pretty tough love for a Italian hoagie.
I guess I over-reacted due to my past run-in with the bear. The lunch part was kinda funny in retrospect. No offense taken. No harm no foul... sorry if I came across as a grump.
Thanks krieg. No worries. The article gave me a little credit with the wife because I am always telling her that the only reason she wants me to take the garbage out very early before I leave is because it is like the dinner bell for the bears and she wants the insurance money! I read this thing and thought damn I was right! To be attacked over a sub! (and the bear pulled the lettuce and tomato out)What could be worse!
Dude, you should get pix of it riding your dirt bike cuz your going to get some $$$ for that footage.
I'd be pretty upset if I looked out in my yard and saw a bear riding my dirtbike! I'd probably have to replace the fork seals afterwards I've seen a few bears while riding, and for some reason it isn't as scary as seeing them when in my tent or on foot. I feel pretty invincible in my gear, even though I know it's a false sense of security. Kind of like when I stop for gas in the crappy part of Oakland at 4:30am...I don't do it in my car but have no problem doing it on the bike I had a bear steal my chocolate, pesto and bag of apples (took one bite out of each and left them in the grass) in Idaho once and from then on I was a lot more careful in how I dealt with my food and stuff. WoodsChick
North Jersey is pretty built up and bears are still thriving. South Jersey is getting there and deer are all over the place. Maybe the environmentalist theory about losing habitat will lead to endangered species is just a lie!
Havent seen one will riding yet.. I too would probally feel safer if I saw one while on the bike since at least then there is speed avalaible .. A couple months ago though I came home at about 11pm to my garbage allover the yard and a bear running down my drivway with one of the garbage bags in his mouth. About an hour later he came up to my front door, which is an all glass french style door, about 3 feet from the couch I was sitting on, and he pushed his nose up against the glass to look at me and say "hi". Now thats it's warmer, if he was to do that now, he'd probally be doing that against a screen door..Time to pack at least a small noise maker in my couch cushion maybe..
