Meet a bear

Skybird · 04-11-12, 06:38 AM

It can happen to you, though very very rarely, that you meet brown bears in European forest, namely the Alpine region, Northern Italy, Switzerland, some years ago even Bavaria.

The swiss authorities made a program, or better an advisory text named "Konzept Bär", where they laid down in text how people should behave when they meet a brown bear. In this German news they get quoted with recommending that people lay flat on the ground and don't move, the bear will approach and examine them, understand that they do not pose a threat to him, and leave.

???

I would do that when meeting a wolf: freeze and see what happens. But a bear...?

I follow where they say not to just turn and run, but to slowly retreat. I would even consider to hold my position. But laying on the ground and letting him sniff my threat potential out? I surely wouldn't desire to do that with ice bears or grizzlies. Don't know about brown bears, though.

Also I question the wisdom with regard to people'S self control and discipline in such a situation where potentially plenty of adrenaline and fear is involved.

I probbaly would play a game of stop and slowly retreat, if possible, and if he does not give up interest and approaches, would try to intimdate and surprise him by becoming loud in yelling, throwing things at him and "attack" him with anything I find in sticks and stones. Laying flat on the ground - what if he is curious to see what happens if he bites just for fun, or gives we a swing with his prank because I'm just laying in his path? Or he is insecure due to my alieness and attacks for that reason?

04-11-12, 06:38 AM	#1
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,624 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Meet a bear It can happen to you, though very very rarely, that you meet brown bears in European forest, namely the Alpine region, Northern Italy, Switzerland, some years ago even Bavaria. The swiss authorities made a program, or better an advisory text named "Konzept Bär", where they laid down in text how people should behave when they meet a brown bear. In this German news they get quoted with recommending that people lay flat on the ground and don't move, the bear will approach and examine them, understand that they do not pose a threat to him, and leave. ??? I would do that when meeting a wolf: freeze and see what happens. But a bear...? I follow where they say not to just turn and run, but to slowly retreat. I would even consider to hold my position. But laying on the ground and letting him sniff my threat potential out? I surely wouldn't desire to do that with ice bears or grizzlies. Don't know about brown bears, though. Also I question the wisdom with regard to people'S self control and discipline in such a situation where potentially plenty of adrenaline and fear is involved. I probbaly would play a game of stop and slowly retreat, if possible, and if he does not give up interest and approaches, would try to intimdate and surprise him by becoming loud in yelling, throwing things at him and "attack" him with anything I find in sticks and stones. Laying flat on the ground - what if he is curious to see what happens if he bites just for fun, or gives we a swing with his prank because I'm just laying in his path? Or he is insecure due to my alieness and attacks for that reason? __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.