questions about bear behavior

[sope]

I live in an area that you run in to the occasional small black bear that usually bolt as soon as they see you. The other day I was out riding my very loud 2 stroke bike on the back roads and I was buzzing along and came across a unussually large black bear for the area. I managed to stop about 200 feet from it. It was pretty cool it just watched me and I watched it for probably 20 seconds. I snapped my throttle a couple times and it headed off in to the bush in no hurry.

I ride this same area with my 6 year old often. He's on a slow 50 and would probably panic if a bear like this was to walk towards us. My question is, should I be worried? It really suprized me that this bear didn't take off emediately or that he was still there with the sound of my bike. I don't have guns and really have no interest in getting one.

I was thinking of carrying bear spray when I take my son out. We also have cougars here but I have never seen one. Am I over reacting or is bear spray a good idea? Was the behavior of this bear unusual for a large one?

Any input would be great especially from hunters or anyone that knows much about bear behavior.

Thanks
JP

 

[eagle mark]

200 feet? and he heard you for six miles... so you didn't spook him.

Your actually lucky to see them and get that close. Here I have seen a dozen or so in ten years. Never that close. But I am told if you happen to bump into one close, stand your ground ... DON'T RUN! Yell at the bear, arms up... back away slow....

























Then go home and change your underwear!

 

[SShultz]

What I would give to be able to come up there to BC and hunt black bears! I'd be happy to "rid you of your problem" for the price of a plane ticket! .

 

[sope]

It's not a problem I love seein them. This was just a different experience for me in the fact that it was big and didn't run. Most of the time my six year old is riding with me and I know he couldn't out ride one if he needed to.
Would a bear chase his bike like a dog?
What can I do to avoid a bad situation? I'm probably going to get some bear spray. I haven't thought much about it because we've beein stayin out of the bush to to the fire hazzard but in the fall we'll be back often.

 

[SShultz]

The bear you had the run in with was more than likely an old dominant boar. He doesn't have much to fear, and he's probably had several run in's with dirtbikes and realized they offer no threat. My first option would be to have a ruger alaskan strapped on me but if you have no interest in owning a firearm then the next choice is the bear spray. I have never seen a bear chase a dirtbike before. The only problem I could forsee with bears is if you were to spook one. (and that would be pretty tough as mentioned before) Or if you were to come up on momma and her cubs. Given all the noise the bikes make I don't forsee that happening either cause she'd have hurried the cubs in a different direction long before you get there. The number one rule for being in bear country is to make alot of noise so you don't get right up on one and spook it. I would say that the bikes have that taken care of for you.
Hope that helps some.
SShultz

 

[sope]

Thanks. I will bring spray when I ride with my son.

 

[SShultz]

OK I'm usually the first to admit when I'm wrong and this will probably make you feel even better about your choice. I just finished reading an article in the latest field and stream that bear spray is more effective and recommended over a firearm in preventing and stopping a bear attack. If you would like I can even take a picture of the article and send it to you.
SShultz

 

[sope]

That's cool. Don't bother sending the lnk. I'm not against fire arms at all. I just don't hunt and I'm really not sure about the laws of carrying side arms here (Canada). Liscences and courses are involved before you can buy a gun legally and I just don't have that much interest. As I said, running in to black bears here is common and I love seeing them. It's just the behavior of this one bear and the fact that my son is now riding with me in the bush that got me thinkin. Bear spray it is while riding with my son.

Thanks again