Do you have what it takes to kill a bear?

Question

If you were stuck in the woods with only a hunting knife and a stick of celery, would you have the guts to kill a bear if it was going to attack you? Or would you be nice to it and claim that you don't want to upset the balance of nature? Or would you run away? Where would you run? If you were going to try and kill it, how would you do it? Would you have prepared spears, etc., with the knife beforehand? What would you do?

Answer 1

Have the guts? Sure, I could do what needs to be done. If it came down to me or her, I'd fight hard to survive.

But what needs to be done is to stand my ground and act like a human (talk, stand) instead of acting like a prey animal (run, hide). And not act like a threat (move towards it, make eye-to-eye contact).

Bears often buff charge. Everyone one I know who's had it happen found it hard to stand their ground, but you really get it drummed into you up here.

If a bear is surprised and feels it needs to defend its food or her young, they'll swat you away and maybe give a quick chomp until you are not a threat anymore. That's why it is recommended you drop into a fetal position and cover your neck if they actually make contact. Both people I know who surprised bear so close as to get knocked around and chomped survived by playing dead, although they both had serious injuries to one lower leg.

Only if they keep chomping or start to feed, should you fight back.

Bears (except maybe a starving polar bear) don't stalk people so you don't have time to build snares or spears. Whatever happens is over in 10 seconds or less, so you better know in advance what you plan to do.

When I have encountered black bears in the lower 48 going for my food, I'll run after them, big stick in hand, and chase them off. I'd never do that with a grizzly anywhere nor a black bear near Glacier National Park (for some reason, they are more confrontational in that area).

The only unarmed and truckless guy I know up here and planning to stay that way,
David

Answer 2

if you're making plans on killing a undergo iwth a .22 rifle, you larger plan on shoving the barrel of the gun into the mouth of the undergo. Unless you hit the eyeball, or cross in by way of the mouth, the 22LR may not rationale some thing past pin-pricks to a undergo. It could provide the undergo a best sting which could be ample to ship so much bears walking, and mostly simply the sound could be ample to scare so much bears, however as for truthfully preventing a undergo that has determined to tangle with you, I do not even consider a field of 500 22LR rounds could make a lot of a change. However, a 22LR and 15 rounds is a satisfactory method to sooth the spouse's unrealistic anxieties. Pick up a few undergo spray as well, and you're going to be great.

Answer 3

Your chances of killing an adult bear with a hunting knife are SLIM to NONE. Lying face down and trying to protect your neck my allow you to survive a bear attack (badly mauled) if it is a sow protecting it's cubs, but if it's looking for food you are lunch. A healthy bear is extremely strong. After a bear is skinned, the ropey muscles on its carcass make body builders look puny. Black bear occasionally kill deer and Grizzlies kill adult moose. Running may not save you as bears are much faster than humans, but if you can get out of the area where it feel threatened, you may get away. I've been told by guides in Northern Canada that a charging bear may be bluffing, but if one follows you - it is looking at you as lunch. I've harvested bear meat, but trying to do it with only a hunting knife isn't bravery - it's stupidity.

Since posting the above I've found a site that documents the killing of a an attacking bear with a hunting size knife (had dog to help) and the recent killing of 3 individuals by bear in Canada.

Answer 4

I have been confronted with Black Bears here in California, but they always ran away as soon as they saw me, Black Bears in Canada just sat and stared at me. I worked up in the Arctic in Alaska and went through bear safety training for the Grizzlies and all we had for protection was "bear mace". If I was really attacked....it would be very hard to win a fight against a bear if the bear was seriously trying to kill and eat me. I would definitely try and fight back, but don't know if it would do much good. By the time you are actually suppossed to start fighting back...you can be pretty badly maimed!

Answer 5

I would offer it the stick of celery...with only a hunting knife there is a good chance I could not kill it. Besides why kill something if you don't have to...running is not a good idea...

Answer 6

I would not kill a bear if it was going to attack me. First, I would look big, stay calm and quiet, and wouldn't move. If it tried to attack me, I would fight back, and not run away, particularily because that represents fear, and bears can outrun humans. But, if you fight back when it attacks, it shows that you are aggressive, and are the predator, not the prey.

Answer 7

All bears want is your food so might as well be sensible and just it give it the damn food!!! When they see you have no more they will leave you alone. I don't think Bears really like to Eat Humans unless they are starving or angry.

Answer 8

first off never run from a bear if confronted lay down and cover your face the part about killing it that depends on if i was starving i guess while you was laying there if you really had to you could slice its throat hope ya got a pig pot to cook it in yummy

Answer 9

yes i do you have too kill a bear with a gun right between the eyes

Answer 10

I would kill that damn bear. Thats right tree huggers! i said it. oops wrong group.

THATS RIGHT YOU ANIMAL ADVOCATES, I'D KILL ME A BEAR - THEN MAKE A NICE COAT OF IT!