After work one evening, two young men drove the truck three miles down a
narrow logging road looking for a perfect fishing hole where cutthroat trout
patrolled picking up floating salmon roe. It was salmon spawning season on the
river and the valley reeked of rotting fish mixed with berry engorged bear
scat. Gulls, crows, and eagles perched in the huge spruce, fir and alder trees
overhanging the river waiting for full crops to digest before going for more of
the plentiful feed. Large padded, five-clawed prints marked the sandy river
banks as the men made their way to the river edge loaded down with fishing
rods, hooks and carefree optimism. As they cast their roe baited hooks into the
pool they could see flashes of silver flicker out of the deep dark shadows checking
for easy red meals. One cutty went for the bait and swallowed it greedily,
unaware of the danger until the hook set suddenly and securely into its bony jaw.
It shook its head and tugged violently against the sting, pain and resistance
that incessantly towed it to the exposed shallows. It ran hard, down stream
towing Jack along the sandy riverbank. They fought and tugged to and fro for a
couple of minutes before the three-pound trout lay panting on the shore. Jack
quickly released the hook and cast it back into the river. Fishing was great
and both men soon had a couple of fish lined up on the river bank when a bear
emerged from upstream, slowly and methodically casting his huge nose back and
forth searching for the fresh smell of free meal. Andy was further downstream
and noticed the bear coming behind Jack and called a warning. Jack spun around
reaching for his bear spray canister hanging from the holster on his hip.
 |
| Hungry for Fish |
The
bear spotted the fish lying on the bank and sprang forward, splashing
downstream claiming the beached trout. Andy, wisely backed off, abandoning his
catch, but prepared to defend himself if the bear wanted more. He popped the
safety clip off the trigger as he continued to make his way downstream. Grizzly
stopped and nuzzled then ate his free fish and the men managed to make their
way safely to the truck.
Before they boarded Jack struggled to replace the safety clip onto the
trigger of the canister. Andy
supervised passing out instructions, as Jack got more frustrated. They were
both soon huddled over the canister, trying in vain to snap the clip into
place. Somehow, Jack’s finger slipped onto the trigger, releasing a sudden
orange bomb of spray directly into the palm of his hand, which deflected the fire
into both fellows’ faces. Instant burning, gasping, swearing, fumbling, can’t see,
can’t breathe, and can’t drive.
 |
| Laughing Bear |
“Where is that bear?” they are wondering through the foggy background of
pain and confusion. Need water but got none; the river is right there but so is
the bear. All these thoughts ricochet around their fogged brains and burning
sinuses that are trying to get reloaded with fresh oxygen but can’t. They are
finally able to get in the truck but can’t see to drive through tear filled
eyes. The radio doesn’t reach camp from here. They finally are able to get
turned around and fumble their way toward safety. Finally they reach camp and
rush into their rooms, shed their clothes and pile into the shower, fighting
for the same nozzle of cold relief. By this time a crowd of very unsympathetic
co-workers arrived in time to hear renewed gasps and cries of burning pain, now
expanding downward. The oil-based pepper is flowing down onto tender bellies
and cascading even further downward over even tenderer, dangling body parts. It
seems to have no mercy on the men and their laughing mates seem to have even
less. There seems to be no end to the fire and even cold water cannot
extinguish their anguish.
Finally someone takes pity and calls the hospital to try to figure out
what to do. The sympathetic but snickering nurse orders the burning men out of
the crowded shower. This is about the worse first aid you can provide. “Flood
them with whole milk.” she advises. “The milk will absorb the peppery oil and
don’t rub it in any more. After a bit get some Dawn dish soap and slowly rinse
off the milk and pepper spray. They should be okay in a little while!”
Bear spray is probably the best and safest deterrent you can take to the
bush if there may be bears or other predators in the area. It is light and easy
to carry on your belt where it can be easily and readily grasped if required. It
does you no good to be buried in the bottom of you pack. If a bear approaches,
slowly back off while speaking in a calm voice trying not to stare a challenge
eye to eye. Get your bear spray out and release the safety. Make sure your
companions are also slowly and calmly backing off, not running. If the bear
continues its advance with ears back, lips curled be prepared. You must wait
until it is quite close to you, ten feet or a bit more before you spray a short
two or 3 second burst in a sweeping motion toward its face. Hopefully it is
downwind from you but be sure to make sure it is making contact with the bear.
You may need another burst so try not to empty your canister.
Studies have found that good bear repellent is about 95% effective in
stopping bear attacks or advances. A rifle or shotgun is effective in about 45%
of the time in skilled hands. Pepper spray can also be used if the bear already
has a hold on you or your partner. You can spray him but you probably should
not shoot your rifle into that squirming, squalling mass of fur and friend.
Before you ever get in the position of needing it, you should practise.
Go out with your hiking companions and practise drawing the canister, releasing
the safety and pressing the trigger. Aim the spray down toward an imaginary
bear face and fan it back and forth being sure the charging bear has to pass
through the peppery cloud. By all means don’t intentionally entice a bear to
your camp or your body. Keep food away from both, make a bit of noise and hike
with a group when in bear country. Get out and enjoy the wilderness and her
critters but be prepared for all emergencies of which charging bears are
probably one of the fewer.
The above episode is true and happened more or less like explained. The
guys suffered no permanent harm except for the emotional scarring caused by
unending teasing and long memories of all who were witness to their
embarrassing episode.
No comments:
Post a Comment