Damn bear did not know he should run from people

[Vtgunner]

I was hiking this weekend in Stanislaus National Forest with my family. We end up walking right next to a Manzanita tree with a bear in it. We were about 5 feet away when we finally saw it. It never moved or even looked at us. I was always under the impresion that they would run from humans. We backed away from it but we needed to pass the tree so we waited a short distance off hoping it would leave so we could finish the hike. Once the bear finished in the tree it started walking toward us. At this point my boxer barked at it and it changed direction and ran away.

Is this normal behavior for a bear? I was surprised it would try to walk toward us since we had no food with us. I suppose we should have tried to shout at it rather than watch it eat.

I got to admit i was glad i was carrying.

[ktom300]

They're supposed to run. I'd be very concerned about any bear that didn't take off at the first sight of humans.
Sounds like your dog help a bit. Though dogs are said to bring unwanted attention from mountain lions and coyotes.

[OHOD]

Where abouts in Stanislaus?
I've been hanging out at Carson-Iceberg lately.

[bsg]

glad it worked out for you... and the bear.

[ireload]

Might be a good idea to carry a bear spray at least two cannisters. One for you and one for the wife.

In my neck of the woods no bears around but mountain lions can be found. I carry a walking staff with me made out of oak round stock and a bear spray. The spray is for second line of defense.

It is odd that the bear did not turn and ran away till your dog barked at it.

[Big Jake]

Bears have gotten way to comfortable around people but it is our fault not their's as people have encrouched on their habitat!

[SReagle]

put a bell on the dogs collar and carry one in your pocket,
next time if you happen to see another bear take it out and rattle it, they do not tend to like that and generally will
run from you, if not they have become way to comfortable around humans and are dangerous

[otteray]

Bears have gotten way to comfortable around people but it is our fault not their's as people have encrouched on their habitat!

This afternoon, in my mountain retreat's side yard up in Tahoma (Lake Tahoe) while sitting in a chair having an ice cold PBR and minding my own business; a juvenile black bear lumbered several feet past me and into the back yard. It paused,turned and gave me a glance then continued on it's journey toward Sugar Pine Point. I went indoors for a bit, just in case mama was nearby
We have a "bear highway" going by my cabin toward the lake; see 'em occasionally, like when one totaled my son's family wagon last year...

[HDoctane]

" a bear and a rabbit were takin a **** in the woods the bear looks over and exccuse me to the rabbit but do you have trouble with **** sticking to your fur the rabbit says no so the bear used the rabbit to wipe his butt!!! those damn bears

[bigkahuna04]

thanks....I needed that...good laugh and visual in my mind.

[Gryff]

put a bell on the dogs collar and carry one in your pocket,
next time if you happen to see another bear take it out and rattle it

"Honey, why is that bear over there jingling?"

[echang86]

It all depends on the bear.

I get a lot of them in my neck of the woods. Most of them run from humans. Some of them are just to lazy and don't pay any attention to you at all unless you yell at them. Every summer we get the same bear that tries to lounge in our jacuzzi. Many times I've pulled into the garage and see a large brown furball bolt out of the pool area and into the trees.

I've noticed one thing though. Every bear is afraid of a dog's bark, regardless of the size of the dog.

[HDoctane]

" i KNOW BEAR SALAMI TASTE DAMN GOOD!!!"

[okdo]

In the woods without sufficient firepower is not a risk I am willing to take. You on the other hand with your bell, dog and spray will be very tasty to a big bear who can't remember that he is supposed to be vewy vewy afwaid!!!!

[Hank Dodge]

Anybody ever heard of anyone using one of the Kimber "LifeAct" pepper spray units on a bear? I'm just curious as it's what the wife and I carry with us daily for defensive use. It's our only real option living in an anti-gun environment ( Alameda County ). I do carry a weapon when in the woods, but I didn't know if this high percentage spray would do much against a bear. Any thoughts??