More on this recent one in Libby:
"Amber Kornak was in her
first full week working with Montana Fish, Wildlife and parks when she was attacked in the Poorman Creek area on the morning of May 18.
She suffered two skull fractures and several lacerations to her head, neck and back Kornak then hiked two miles back to her car after the attack to get help."
I bet she won't be back.
http://www.kpax.com/story/38238559/fwp-wildlife-technician-recovering-from-bear-attack-near-libby
My heart goes out to her, it pains me that not enough training is given on this matter. The advice listed in the article is BS as it does not deal with spring bear which is hungry. Believe that stuff an you have the makings of the next victim.
It is a shame that the only really way of protection is firearm (and a big enough caliber to stop it) and even then it’s 50/50 at best.
Most of my experience is with black bear, which is considerably smaller and more skiddish than the bigger stuff out west. That said they do track and follow you (by avoid means they just stay out of sight giving you a false sense of safety). I’ve been tracked and followed at least within 50-150ft on several occasions based on tracks left on top of mine (fresh tracks in snow) when I’ve doubled back.
This means I’ve passed by extremely closely he’s just laying in wait hidden. I’m not dumb enough to follow his tracks as that leads to a certain encounter.
I mention it again for those outdoors, find and read the book, DON’T GET EATEN! in an earlier post as a primer to your safety. The short version is most animals will attack if they feel like it, the book gives advice how to stay away from situations to give them opportunity.
The most important thing is animals don’t read as a result don’t give a $#^+ about what some “expert” on animal behavior says they’ll do because if they feel like it they’ll attack. Period!
Keep your head up and alert, be aware and chances are you might avoid a bad encounter. Want to ensure it stacked in your favor carry a (big) gun and know how to use it. Even then it’s not gauranteed.