Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: frozensalmon on August 30, 2011, 10:47:03 AM

Title: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: frozensalmon on August 30, 2011, 10:47:03 AM
Have anyone seen bears or cougars around that river recently or in the past?

*sorry it's not really related to fishing but I want to explore that river fishing spot and kinda of afraid of encounting with those animals...
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: cutthroat22 on August 30, 2011, 10:56:44 AM
I have seen cougar tracks when it snowed @ my favorite fishing hole.  Also seen the leftover feathers from birds.

Never seen a bear or scat but they have "bear in area" signs.

Personally I think rafting a cold river with no helmets or lifejackets is 10000000X more frightening then the risk of a wild animal attack.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: nickredway on August 30, 2011, 12:20:01 PM
Have seen the odd bear now and again and cougar tracks last winter.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: carpenter on August 30, 2011, 12:38:00 PM
havemt seen any of the above except for scat on occasion ;D
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: Tee on August 30, 2011, 12:41:57 PM
Bears certainly are around. I encountered one last spring across the river where I was fishing.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: urbanflyfisher on August 30, 2011, 12:53:12 PM
Ive seen a few bears in the years ive spent on that river, one snuck up behind me whille i was fishing by house rock... this one guy i fish with got chased by one before.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: clarki on August 30, 2011, 01:01:26 PM
Undoubtedly there are cougars around too..and they are watching you. Just because you can't see them... ;D

Many years ago when I spent a great deal of time fishing the Seymopur River canyon there was a cougar in the area that had been sighted down near Maplewood Farms. I was a little more cautious on subsequent trips...     

On any North Shore stream, you need to assume that predators could (and are) in proximity. Heck, there was one in Surrey last week. 
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: Fish Assassin on August 30, 2011, 01:15:37 PM
Never saw any cougars but did witness a bear crossing the road near Camp Capilano
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: one more cast on August 30, 2011, 01:42:36 PM
Have seen the odd bear now and again and cougar tracks last winter.

Same here but last fall. So close I seen the white in his eyes as he eyeballed me walking along the opposite side of the river...stupid me, I was a bit in shock and kept fishing. ::)
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: cutthroat22 on August 30, 2011, 01:49:26 PM
Undoubtedly there are cougars around too..and they are watching you. Just because you can't see them... ;D

Yeah, it's the forest. 
Just to add I saw the first deer I'd ever seen @ the Cap during July.  I had never seen sign of deer before.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: Tex on August 30, 2011, 01:52:58 PM
There is a good chance there will be bears and/or cougars around just about any place you go fishing in BC.  Wildlife is part of the deal.  Personally, I like it that way, but I understand that's not the case with everyone.

That said, there's no need to be scared.  I heartily advice a healthy respect for and awareness of the fact that these animals are around, but worrying about them all the time won't help.  Be prepared (bear spray, bangers, knife, etc) and be aware (make noise, don't leave garbage around, etc) and you should be just fine.

Good luck!
:D
Tex - prefers the bears and cougars of BC to the spiders and snakes of other parts of the world...
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: Gooey on August 30, 2011, 06:36:31 PM
there are a couple regular bears up there.  one was camped out at the cable pool 2 weeks back, he was on the little hill directly behind the platform at the cable pool.  sat there for 15 min eating berries as tourist snapped pics.  i called conservation but they showed after the bear left.  i chatted with the guy for a few and apperantly there is a problem bear in that area.  its been getting in trash and being aggressive so be careful in that area.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: dmoney on August 31, 2011, 07:57:37 AM
there are a couple regular bears up there.  one was camped out at the cable pool 2 weeks back, he was on the little hill directly behind the platform at the cable pool.  sat there for 15 min eating berries as tourist snapped pics.  i called conservation but they showed after the bear left. 

Why did you call them? What action did you want them to take?

D$
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: JAwrey on August 31, 2011, 09:31:22 AM
Why did you call them? What action did you want them to take?

D$

Hmm, he might have wanted them to perhaps educate those taking photos.  Maybe some were becoming too bold and wandering too close for the umpteenth bear photo.  Maybe he wanted them to get a look at the animal in question, maybe try to evaluate it's behaviour around humnas.  Maybe it was a bear they had been monitoring.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: dmoney on August 31, 2011, 11:32:50 AM
That's a lot of maybes, let's see what the poster says his reasons were.

D$
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: YetiHunter on August 31, 2011, 12:41:23 PM
A couple years ago, I ran into what might have been the biggest black bear I have ever seen, less than a mile from the Cap. Sucker had to go over 400 lbs. Some of those West Van blackies are pretty well fed.
I walk my dog on the north shore pretty often and try to remember to take pepper spray with me. I have never run into a cougar up there, but have no doubt they are around.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: blaydRnr on August 31, 2011, 12:53:17 PM
Why did you call them? What action did you want them to take?

D$

the cap is heavily used, not only by fishermen, but also hikers and tourists. obviously if the CO's felt it was concerning enough to come by, then calling them was the right thing to do.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: JAwrey on August 31, 2011, 01:04:35 PM
That's a lot of maybes, let's see what the poster says his reasons were.

D$

The fact still stands that he had reason to call them, and you questioning his reasons is pointless.  He did what he felt was right, which it probably is in this situation.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: dmoney on August 31, 2011, 03:40:15 PM
The fact still stands that he had reason to call them, and you questioning his reasons is pointless..

Two things JAwrey - I'm not "questioning his reasons", I don't know his reason(s) so how can I question them? I'm just asking why he called the conservation officer and what he expected them to do. You've jumped to a conclusion that I'm busting his chops for calling the C.O. From his brief post, I didn't see a reason to call them so I was curious what the reason was.

Secondly, whether my questions are pointless isn't for you to say. I'm sure Gooey can speak for himself, so you probably don't need to defend him, when a) he's not under attack, and b) you don't know what his reasoning was either :)

D$
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: silver ghost on August 31, 2011, 03:57:34 PM
If it were me I would call because tourists don't understand and/or respect wildlife and what they are capable of and what can happen TO them by our actions
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: salmonlover on August 31, 2011, 04:23:20 PM
as if i wasnt already a paranoid person. thanks for adding another thing to my list guys :(
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: summersteel on August 31, 2011, 06:08:29 PM
dmoney,  when the reason for calling is so obvious, as it is in this case, your question does seem like an attack.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: JAwrey on August 31, 2011, 09:56:12 PM
I'm not "questioning his reasons", I don't know his reason(s) so how can I question them?

I'm not sure who told you that you must intimately understand a person's reasoning to question it, but you clearly did question his reasoning.  When you inquired as to why he did it, and asked for further information regarding his decision, you questioned his reasoning.  Furthermore, you posted something that can be construed as nothing other than aggressive.  What, honestly, was the point of that comment?  A couple of us have proposed reasoning, but you sit there and demand his reasoning.  For what purpose, to what end?  I'm not sure why you felt you had to regulate Gooey's use of the C.O. hotline.  If you have a problem with him calling, say so.  But do not post a comment as idle as that.  He had reasons - that's why he called them.  Other reasons have been proposed.  Whatever you hope to gain from the divulgence of his reasoning is likely going to be somewhat similar to what has been posted.

But that's cool, next time I call the hotline I'll ask you first.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: doja on August 31, 2011, 11:36:52 PM
JAwrey.... He questioned his decision to call, not his reason. He never gave a reason nor did he provided any info about any concerns. You also might want to do your home work before you "tell someone how it is".... ::)  Young kids these days, LOL


dmoney's question is quite valid as I also wondered the same thing.

My "reasoning" for wondering why may not be negative but positive, possibly gaining some insightful knowledge in to the bear/public/CO interaction on the cap from a regular visitor... Just saying. 8)

Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: JAwrey on September 01, 2011, 10:17:28 AM

Decision should be based on reason and causation, yes?  By questioning his decision, he has inherently called the reasoning and causation involved into question.  Homework indeed.  The initial issue I had with DMoney is how he phrased the question.  If he really wanted to know what prompted him to call, he could have phrased it in countless different ways, all of which could be friendlier. 

My "reasoning" for wondering why may not be negative but positive, possibly gaining some insightful knowledge in to the bear/public/CO interaction on the cap from a regular visitor... Just saying. 8)

And thats all that needs to be said!  All that should have been said in the first place
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: doja on September 01, 2011, 11:58:30 AM
Decision should be based on reason and causation, yes?  By questioning his decision, he has inherently called the reasoning and causation involved into question.  Homework indeed.  The initial issue I had with DMoney is how he phrased the question.  If he really wanted to know what prompted him to call, he could have phrased it in countless different ways, all of which could be friendlier. 

LOL... so is what you are saying is Dmoney should consult you first just to make sure all is well as you "clearly" know best???

He posted a fair no frills question and YOU attacked him.... Nicely done, LOL

Good to know you are keeping the spirit of the forum alive by attacking a question just because it doesn't meet your standards...


And thats all that needs to be said!  All that should have been said in the first place


I only said it to prevent YOU from attacking me like you did dmoney..... ::)

Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: newb33 on September 01, 2011, 01:06:21 PM
Nobody needs to explain nothin dmoney why are you so adamant on knowing why he called I wanna know why you care so much as to ask him the same question twice.
Title: Re: bears, cougars around capilano river?
Post by: dmoney on September 01, 2011, 04:46:36 PM
I'm not sure who told you that you must intimately understand a person's reasoning to question it, but you clearly did question his reasoning.  When you inquired as to why he did it, and asked for further information regarding his decision, you questioned his reasoning.  Furthermore, you posted something that can be construed as nothing other than aggressive.  What, honestly, was the point of that comment?  A couple of us have proposed reasoning, but you sit there and demand his reasoning.  For what purpose, to what end?  I'm not sure why you felt you had to regulate Gooey's use of the C.O. hotline.  If you have a problem with him calling, say so.  But do not post a comment as idle as that.  He had reasons - that's why he called them.  Other reasons have been proposed.  Whatever you hope to gain from the divulgence of his reasoning is likely going to be somewhat similar to what has been posted.

But that's cool, next time I call the hotline I'll ask you first.

Thanks for the laugh JAwrey, it really is amusing how you're taking this personally. You've given a bunch of speculation as to why Gooey called the CO but frankly, no one asked you. Let me make this clear- I'm not interested in why you thought gooey called. Like me, you weren't there. Gooey was, he made the call and I'm curious as to why. I'm sure he had his reasons, I'm not judging, I'm just curious what they are. Personally, I didn't read anything in the post that explained it (bear chowing down on berries, that's what they're supposed to be doing) so I'm asking for clarification.

As for this: "But that's cool, next time I call the hotline I'll ask you first." request denied, in perpituity. You're too cranky, I don't want you calling me under any circumstances.  :D

Gooey- just curious what prompted the call. If you want to keep that your business, that's cool with me :)

D$