Blue's photo...advice wanted

[woodworkingboy]

I find this photo that Blue posted, to be very scary and intriguing. I don't know anything about bears, have only seen one in the wild at a national park, from a distance.

I have seen a Polar bear close up at a private zoo, and that sucker was HUGE and looking hungry, not the lazy layabouts that you generally see at zoos. A fearsome creature! I think that the bear could pretty easily pop the window latch and soon be inside. Assuming the guy was the only person in the vehicle, what would be the best way to handle this situation? Would a good punch to the nose drive the fella out?

 

[Mr. Sir]

Yup, I'm thinking a few wacks on the nose with a large heavy object might discourage him, or her. I doubt that a punch would do it though.

 

[Chisel Tooth]

I saw a program the other night, the guy said to punch the nose, poke the eyes, do what ever, because the bear is going to eat you. He also said the best thing to repell a bear was pepper spray, however this would not be a good idea inside the bus.
I've also seen where when they relocate a bear, they shoot it with rubber bullets, and shoot some kind of an exploding rounds in the air.

 

[MasterBlaster]

If that bear was hungry, that guy would soon be bear poop. No simple swat on the nose will deter him.

 

[woodworkingboy]

I think the first thing that might come to my mind, would be to take that tripod and whatever is on the end of it, and ram that big boy in the kisser with all my might. Do bears get pissed if you try to hurt them, and want to kill you even more? Guess it's a mute point

 

[MasterBlaster]

Wouldn't you get more pissed? I would. Hit me in the nose and I'm gonna eat you.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Here's Johnny!

 

[Mr. Sir]

That's why I said use something LARGE and HEAVY. Make it HURT! He'll get discouraged and go off to find an easier and less painful meal.

It looks like the guy was taking pictures and the bear is just curious.

 

[TheTreeWiseMen]

They do love a good BBQ though....

 

[woodworkingboy]

I think they generally look that way when making up their minds about what they have before them, a promising smell, or.... that kind of thing. Once they make up their minds though, they can get awfully focused. They seem to be less outwardly aggressive appearing than grizzlies or blacks, from the films I have seen.

Can't tell from the photo if the guy there is antsy about missing the shot, or starting to panic? He appears to be backing away.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Polar bears are the most aggressive of all the bears. They've no natural instinctive fear of man.

 

[Stumper]

Bears are unpredictable. I would suggest thgat the driver drive. Nose punching is a last ditch desperation effort. It has worked on black and grizzly bears upon occassion but with all bears there is a real possibility of take punch and munch.

 

[TheTreeWiseMen]

I heard the same Chief. If a polar bear gets on your case (they can smell prey from up to 5 miles away, and then RUN those 5 miles to get to you) you are truly screwed. Apparently they are relentless hunters and will not quit until they have caught you and eaten you. And nothing short of a LARGE calibre bullet or a slug from a shotgun is gonna make 'em change their mind.

 

[sotc]

i think id back off unless it was starting to tear out the windows, then id go for the eyes.

 

[Chisel Tooth]

Bear attacks can be savage!

 

[sotc]

man thats horrific!

 

[Stumper]

It is safe and desirable to look Gigi.

 

[lumberjack]

Sharks are also susceptible to the nose shot.

To me the camera dude looks like he's looking at his camera and moving for a better shot.

If the bear was just seeing what was happening in the smelly bus, I'd keep firing my camera. If he's coming for breakfast, I'd shoot to kill. I would NOT go to on a trip to take pictures of wild bears w/o a firearm or two of my choice. Pepper/Mace/OC spray can be effective against bears, but that's not what I'd use.

 

[squisher]

If it's a Canadian bear, no worries he's probably just looking for beer.

Never seen a polar bear in the wild but black bears are everywhere here, sometimes in my yard. They're very fearful, and unless one was sick or something I'd never have any worries about it. I've chased many a black bear in my day just by raising my arms up and shouting. Grizzlies, I wouldn't mess with, give me a gun or give me wings cause either way I want away from those buggers as quickly and quietly as possible.

Cougars kinda freak me out too, but I've been face to face with a few and never been eaten. They have that look though like they're atleast considering it.

 

[Burnham]

Cougar is definitely a critter that would have absolutely no trouble making a meal out of us soft, slow humans. I don't fear them, but I figure if one decides I'm lunch, then that will be the end of my time on the planet, no question about it.

But that knowlege doesn't tempt me to go about my work and play armed against them. Just not the response I make to the natural world.

 

[blue]

bit more info
http://www.geocities.com/mikepolarbear/parts.html

 

[Bounce]

It may sound crazy, but I heard that crapping your pants can put a bear off his appetite. Which is just as well, since you may not be able to help it.

 

[inztrees]

Yup, I'm thinking a few wacks on the nose with a large heavy object might discourage him, or her. I doubt that a punch would do it though.

me too then I would throw that little dog out for a snack so is could get the hell out of there

 

[OTGBOSTON]

I dunno Scotty, that kinda looks like a glove to me

I always carry a knife, I'd stab the sucker in the neck.

 

[inztrees]

kill it and make new gloves