Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Shmoke Shaman on October 25, 2014, 10:30:34 PM
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Curious to see if people take extra measures while fishing. I encountered a bear on a river, freaked out my wife.
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I've only encountered black bears up close but when I did they either took off faster than a greyhound or seemed oblivious to me.
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I carry bear spray all the time in canada, when I am up in AK its gun + spray. I am not sure what the rules are down here for carrying a side arm I never really looked into it other than when I used to go hunting.
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Depends where I am....
Van Island - sometimes
Lower mainland - no
Skeena and tribs - YES
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I've never carried bear spray nor do I feel the need as most of my hiking, fishing trips are in the fraser valley. Out of all my sightings of black bears they simply run away except for once.
I was walking my dog to the mouth of the spawning channel on the east side of Stave river . On our way back we encountered a bear that poked its head out from the trail and growled at the dog. Needless to say we headed back to the mouth and returned to the parking lot via a very long swampy trek. Fortunately I had the dog on its leash and the bear stayed where it was...
This was the only real encounter where I had to back track and get out of its territory. Strangely enough I have yet to see a bear during the salmon spawning season probably due to all the noise.
We get plenty of bears in the trailer park at night looking for garbage that people have left out to be picked up that morning so I imagine they also go down to the river at night.
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I carried mine for the first time yesterday. I remember hearing a report of a cougar siting where I Was going so I took it along. I would be tempted to take it with me to the upper river but I dont get up there often when fishing by myself.
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I take it when fishing the Chehalis, Squamish, and Cheakamus. I have seen larger bears on those systems, including grizzly tracks. When fishing the Vedder I don't bother as all the bears I have seen are small and flee quickly, guess I view them as less of a threat.
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I carried mine for the first time yesterday. I remember hearing a report of a cougar siting where I Was going so I took it along. I would be tempted to take it with me to the upper river but I dont get up there often when fishing by myself.
Leave the Spray at home if cougars is what your worried about, you wont see the attack coming. A knife with easy access is what you want. Cougars are pretty cowardly and any kind of resistance like a couple good knife stabs will have them thinking twice about their attack.
That being said there is a teenage black bear in the upper river around Alison i have spotted it for two seasons now and its getting pretty damn big. The house right by Alison has two dogs when they are barking like crazy thats a good sign its in the area.
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Leave the Spray at home if cougars is what your worried about, you wont see the attack coming. A knife with easy access is what you want. Cougars are pretty cowardly and any kind of resistance like a couple good knife stabs will have them thinking twice about their attack.
That being said there is a teenage black bear in the upper river around Alison i have spotted it for two seasons now and its getting pretty damn big. The house right by Alison has two dogs when they are barking like crazy thats a good sign its in the area.
May I suggest a full tang blade,don't want to be carrying a folding blade.
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I don't go into the woods anymore, but when I was young I used to carry a Cold Steel Trail Master bowie. It's not great for stabbing but it's nicely balanced for slashing.
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I always keep my blade in my hand warmer pocket for easy access.
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Had a cougar come after my dog and I this spring mushroom picking in a burn. I saw it coming for the dog from over 200 mtrs away, when I called the dog in it came straight towards us it got about half way then layed behind a big log and watched us for 10 or 15 min. when we tried to make our escape it came right towards us again with me waving my arms and yelling to let it know I was a person. It came to about 35ft away and I tried the bear spray hitting it a little on its feet and just a touch on it's nose, it snorted and circled us real real slowly at about the same distance, it got up wind and I was afraid I'd mace myself and the dog if I sprayed again and didn't hit it full in the face. When it got about 1/2 way around us my dog finally freaked out (I had ahold of his collar) so I waved my arms and yelled too. The cougar walked slowly downhill about 40 yds and lay down and watched us. then it started to rub it's nose with its paws and you could see the bear spray was starting to bug it. It started to rub it's nose on the ground like a kitten that just had it's face rubbed in poop so the dog and I slowly backed out then and it didn't follow us.It was still a km back to the truck so that was scary as it gets after we got around the corner and I had to turn my back! I'm sure without the bear spray at least one of us would be dead now, that cat had way longer arms than me, I don't think I'd of had a chance with just a knife.
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Here is some good info on how to deal with a cougar attack.
http://wildernessarena.com/dangers/animals/other-dangerous-animals/mountain-lion-danger-and-defense-against-attack
(http://wildernessarena.com/dangers/animals/other-dangerous-animals/mountain-lion-danger-and-defense-against-attack)
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VshBT5Ua4uo
The best cougar attack video out there, guaranteed to safer trips after this video
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Great response! I think I will pick up a can the next time I head out.
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There is a decent-looking Smith and Wesson knife on sale at Canadian Tire for $45.
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Leave the Spray at home if cougars is what your worried about, you wont see the attack coming. A knife with easy access is what you want. Cougars are pretty cowardly and any kind of resistance like a couple good knife stabs will have them thinking twice about their attack.
That being said there is a teenage black bear in the upper river around Alison i have spotted it for two seasons now and its getting pretty damn big. The house right by Alison has two dogs when they are barking like crazy thats a good sign its in the area.
I saw it crossing the street on thursday morning to the river side....
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once in a while i carry spray, but when in more remote areas i carry my short barrelled shorty along with spray, would rather spray than shoot.
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Dumb question.. Where does one buy bear spray? I've been thinking about getting some for when I'm out on the river bush whacking
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Wholesale sports
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MEC carries spray
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Depends where I am....
Van Island - sometimes
Lower mainland - no
Skeena and tribs - YES
X2
Also bear bangers as they are more suitable when a bear is making you nervous but not attacking. I have used them to good effect on the Nitinat when a bear was obviously working himself up to being trouble. The bears on the Nitinat hear so many bangers they respond with a woof, a dash to the bushes followed by reappearance in a few seconds. The troublesome one got a banger into low bushes right at his feet whereupon he decided he had business away from the river but I noted he trotted away rather than galloping like a terrified animal.
I have seen large grizzly tracks on the Ashlu near Squamish and I believe Squamish had one removed from their garbage dump this summer so they are around.
They are dangerous but not often aggressive so don't be panicked by a bear sighting. Through family I have knowledge of over 100 years of history in the Pemberton area and although grizzlies are often seen and have scared many people, there has to my knowledge only been one fatal attack almost 100 years ago and that was the fault of the victim. He was in a bears den trying to capture a small cub when momma returned.
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I used to work on, and have fished the Horsefly River nearly religiously every fall since the early 70’s. This river, especially in the upper reaches during sockeye time has a ton of bears and I have seen many, including 7 grizzlies ( 3 really, really close ..) Scariest bear was a brown black that basically suggested I should leave and leave now .. I did.
I always carried spray while fishing and occasionally a shotgun while working on that river from that day on.
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I thought it was illegal in BC? I am obviously wrong. I wish I could carry a glock instead.
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I thought it was illegal in BC? I am obviously wrong. I wish I could carry a glock instead.
Sorry, I should have specified I was with DFO at the time and fully qualified to carry the Remington.
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Sorry, I should have specified I was with DFO at the time and fully qualified to carry the Remington.
What? Why you quoting me?
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Sorry bud, just the sequence of posts :)
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VshBT5Ua4uo
The best cougar attack video out there, guaranteed to safer trips after this video
They forgot to mention that stabbing it with any pointy weapon might prolong attack.
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They forgot to mention that stabbing it with any pointy weapon might prolong attack.
Attacks, I welcome... wait - what? I mean thats a great uh, point.
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haha that video is awesome.
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haha that video is awesome.
I thought it was pretty funny too. I use this technique when I am out in the great outdoors, y'know... John B or Woodys if you are from the bronx, I mean
Tri cities. Lol.
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They are dangerous but not often aggressive so don't be panicked by a bear sighting.
x2. If bears has even the slightest interest in us we would be hearing of a lot more attacks in BC - especially among fishermen at salmon season as we are basically standing in their buffet competing for their lunch.
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I carry spray. I seen enough bars up close while working in the woods. You never know when youll stumble upon a bear having a bad day or worse one with cubs. I generally carry a blade daily for utility purpose and I guess cougar defence if need be. I didnt even think of them. You definitely won't see them coming.
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Bear spray LOL. Practice Bear avoidence. If Bears are that big of a problem then only a 870 with 3 inch slugs will help you !
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Bear spray LOL. Practice Bear avoidence. If Bears are that big of a problem then only a 870 with 3 inch slugs will help you !
So long as your quick draw is faster than a decent size bear!
I don't know about Black bears but rest are pretty damn fast and like to ambush prey. They are always gonna smell us first.
Most cases I think we're pretty safe, they keep to themselves we keep to ours. It's pretty simple but a lot of noise goes a long way and a long with the spray, you should be more than fine. Be mindful of the surroundings. The only other thing I can think is pick your time of day.
Since bears do their best to avoid people, if you are gonna be in obvious bear territory especially along the river during a feed/spawning. Do go at first light, fishings great but all your gonna do is walk in one, surprise it and thats a worst case scenario.
Oh also... don't be these guys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TakfR9rzKTk
No dogs too.
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If I ever fish where I know there are bears. The upper vedder or northern rivers. I have the little bells that jingle when you walk. Also if I'm really remote I bring these little firecrackers that are very small and make a loud noise like the shot of a .22. They pretty much vaporize when they explode so no mess is left behind :)
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If I ever fish where I know there are bears. The upper vedder or northern rivers. I have the little bells that jingle when you walk. Also if I'm really remote I bring these little firecrackers that are very small and make a loud noise like the shot of a .22. They pretty much vaporize when they explode so no mess is left behind :)
That's what I use too! Well the stuff I use Tru Flare Bear Bangers. I don't use bells, I have my radio speakers in most cases with me, if I have to hike anywhere it straps to my bag and I just plug in my ipod (160g) so.. having like 9 months of songs, and podcasts the bears and I are usually pretty happy.
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If I ever fish where I know there are bears. The upper vedder or northern rivers. I have the little bells that jingle when you walk.
Many people carry pepper spray and wear bells in the outdoors.
You can also identify a a bear by its' scat.
The scat of a black has seeds, husks and perhaps the bones of small critters.
The scat of grizzly bears contains small bells and smells like pepper! :)
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Leave the Spray at home if cougars is what your worried about, you wont see the attack coming. A knife with easy access is what you want. Cougars are pretty cowardly and any kind of resistance like a couple good knife stabs will have them thinking twice about their attack.
umm no - cougar attacks are very rare and cougars aren't particularly common. As far as predatory animals go there are far more specialized than bears and bears mostly attack for reasons other to kill prey.
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I've had multiple bear encounters or sightings in the past few years including 3 this year. Luckily they have no interest to follow me unlike what happened to these guys in Alberta on a trail where a Suncor employee was killed just a month earlier. http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/bear-chases-joggers-on-alberta-trail-our-escape-was-not-guaranteed-1.1870339
I do carry bear spray.
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The Buddy System is the best when fishing bear country. Just be sure your Buddy is older and slower than yourself.
Remember, you don't have to be able to outrun the bear as long as you can outrun your Buddy! ;)
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Many people carry pepper spray and wear bells in the outdoors.
You can also identify a a bear by its' scat.
The scat of a black has seeds, husks and perhaps the bones of small critters.
The scat of grizzly bears contains small bells and smells like pepper! :)
Hahah awesome.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUeQTcbfss0...... Grizzly bear goes after fishermans catch.
This is the best video of them all bar none !!!!! Guys fishing on river grizzly swimming across directly toward them... First guy ..."says with all of us here he cant do much".. then another bright guy throws rocks at it.
1. My first thought for the guy who....... "says he cant do much with all of us here "
Yup you go ahead and test your theory out while I walk backwards and watch with interest by the way are you going to be the first in line if we fight the grizz.....????
2. For the guy that throws rocks at a grizzly bear .
Plain and Simple ... nothing like pissing off a brizzly bear when all you have is a rock in your hand........ and few to spare in your head !!!
I've heard and seen some some stupid things but a few of these guys take the cake
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUeQTcbfss0...... Grizzly bear goes after fishermans catch.
This is the best video of them all bar none !!!!! Guys fishing on river grizzly swimming across directly toward them... First guy ..."says with all of us here he cant do much".. then another bright guy throws rocks at it.
1. My first thought for the guy who....... "says he cant do much with all of us here "
Yup you go ahead and test your theory out while I walk backwards and watch with interest by the way are you going to be the first in line if we fight the grizz.....????
2. For the guy that throws rocks at a grizzly bear .
Plain and Simple ... nothing like pissing off a grizzly bear when all you have is a rock in your hand........ and few to spare in your head !!!
I've heard and seen some some stupid things but a few of these guys take the cake
Video 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ny3O_EpgJY
Another grizzly this time a cub but big enough that I get out of the area whats with these guys throwing rocks ???
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUeQTcbfss0...... Grizzly bear goes after fishermans catch.
This is the best video of them all bar none !!!!! Guys fishing on river grizzly swimming across directly toward them... First guy ..."says with all of us here he cant do much".. then another bright guy throws rocks at it.
1. My first thought for the guy who....... "says he cant do much with all of us here "
Yup you go ahead and test your theory out while I walk backwards and watch with interest by the way are you going to be the first in line if we fight the grizz.....????
2. For the guy that throws rocks at a grizzly bear .
Plain and Simple ... nothing like pissing off a brizzly bear when all you have is a rock in your hand........ and few to spare in your head !!!
I've heard and seen some some stupid things but a few of these guys take the cake
Ah yes Alaska where almost 99% of it is like a fishable salmon fishery except near a few places like Kodiak Island and the nature preserves and also the wildlife parks. Unlike Vancouver where its like 4-5% and the rest is ...... hush, hush, SEEEEECRET.
lol. I don't know what river that is but its probably Kenai it's one of the more popular fishing spots, its kinda like fishing the Fraser and you generally have a low guard there. So I am not surprised that happened. Most of the time the guide I go with we have bangers or a fence and the standard fire arms.
But most of the time, the locals and the guides only fish a small window in the winter during salmon returns, it allows the bears to do their thing so the conflict is minimal.
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Fish solo most of the time in local backcountry and in the Nass and Skeena area and have had a number of close bear encounters. Despite your best efforts you will from time surprise one, especially around noisy moving water, in poor light conditions and in my experience in the spring when they have just come out if hibernation and are a little dozy. Have had the spray out in my hand three times this year including when I turned round to find a grizzly cub trying to cross the river 40 feet above me as I was standing in the middle of the river with nowhere to retreat. I was sure glad to have it on all occasions even though I didn't need to use it and I honestly believe it's a better defense against a short range charge than a firearm that you have to shoulder and hit a moving target with accuracy. Spray may deter a bear from coming near people again without harming it permanently whether it's a wild bear acting territorially or defensively or a problem bear like the one following the joggers. Personally I think the best defense is to be aware of your surrounding and read up on bear behavior.