WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2024 - MAN OR BEAR

 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024 - MAN OR BEAR?

Recently, a viral video asked women if they would rather be alone in the woods with a bear or a man has sparked a debate about women's safety. Comments have been coming in from all over the world. "I know a bear's intention. I don't know a man's intentions.” According to online responses, most women would choose to be with a bear. Some reasons women say they would prefer a bear include:

• Bears will only kill you, not rape you

• Bears will often leave when told to

• Bears always see you as a human

• People will believe you if you say a bear attacked you 

Bear attacks are rare, and most are only interested in protecting their food, cubs, or space. Bears are generally uninterested in humans and retreat once they recognize a human. However, bears may attack humans for several reasons, including Surprise, Hunger, protecting their young, Protecting a kill, and Predation

Statistics say there are about 433,000 rapes annually in the United States.  

Since 1784, wild black bears have had 66 fatal human/bear conflicts. Less than a dozen non-fatal conflicts happen yearly, and most encounters end with zero bodily contact. Why? Because black bears are far more likely to run away from you than engage 

Offensive attacks are sporadic and include all of the killings by black bears. These are generally unprovoked predatory attacks in remote areas where bears have the slightest contact with people. Bears that visit campgrounds, bird feeders, and garbage cans rarely kill people, even though these bears have the most contact with people. The 750,000 black bears in North America kill less than one person per year on average, while men ages 18-24 are 167 times more likely to kill someone than a black bear.

Following viewing etiquette is the first step to avoiding an encounter with a bear that could escalate into an attack. Keeping your distance and not surprising bears are some of the most important things you can do. Most bears will avoid humans if they hear them coming. Pay attention to your surroundings and make a special effort to be noticeable in an area with known bear activity or a good food source, such as berry bushes.

Once a bear has noticed you and is paying attention to you, additional strategies can help prevent the situation from escalating. Here are some general tips. However, please check recommendations for each park you visit: recommendations vary from park to park based on local bear behavior.

• Identify yourself by talking calmly so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Remain still; stand your ground, but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs for a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.

• Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Bears may bluff out of an encounter by charging and turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer and won't be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.

• Pick up small children immediately. Do not make loud noises or screams—the bear may think it’s the sound of a prey animal. Slowly wave your arms above your head and tell the bear to back off. Do NOT run or make any sudden movements. Do not make loud noises or screams—the bear may think it’s the sound of a prey animal.

• Hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size, groups are also intimidating to bears.

• Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground).

• Do NOT allow the bear access to your food. Getting your food will only encourage the bear and worsen the problem for others.

• Do NOT drop your pack, as it protects your back and prevents a bear from accessing your food.

• If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways. This allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping, and moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears.

• Do NOT run, but stop and hold your ground if the bear follows. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse, both uphill and down. Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals.

• Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees.

• Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.

• Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs. Never place yourself between a mother and her cubs or attempt to approach them. 

*****

Okay, at age 76, most (all?) men I know well are not interested in rapping a woman.   In my academic career, I sense that young men - 18 to 30 are much more interested in rape.  (I also suspect that alcohol and peer pressure might play a part.)

As for me, if I had to answer the question - man or bear?   I’d like to know more about the man.  Over fifty?  Probably safe.  If I am camping (as I will be doing in the next two weeks, a man might help me pitch my tent.  And a man will be much nicer to talk to around a campfire.  (Bears don’t speak English!!!).  Yes, I’d be scared of a bear sniffing around my tent.  I don’t know if the old wife's tale is accurate - but I might empty my bladder!! 

Last year, while camping at Big Bend National Park, a pack of coyotes (or so I guessed) came into the campground and howled. It was scary, but I was in my tent trying to sleep. They yipped and walked around, and I stayed put. Nature is their home.

But a man might want to force himself on there for a younger lady in her 20s or 30s - in a wilderness area backpacking.

*****

I know women who were raped.  It seems that men lose their civility and kindness if they are alone with a beautiful woman.  (The concept of “I am God’s Gift to woman”!!!)

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

BE CAREFUL AMONG MEN AND BEARS!!!

Karen Anne White, May 22, 20243