Date:         Tue, 26 Jul 2005 21:54:04 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis <guskersthecat@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis <guskersthecat@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Black Bears vs Westy Canvas?

I live in black bear heaven....even more so now that our rather infamous
spring bear hunt has been cancelled for several years.  I also had the joy
of being "sacked" by a bear while on a canoe trip in one of our larger
provincial parks.  Four men, camping on an island (the buggers swim like
olympic athletes) woken up in the middle of the night by the snuffling and
grunting of a foraging bear.  Four men, yelling and banging pots together
behind the dubious shelter of a large tent sans fly...bear, oblivious.  The
next morning, bear scat sporting granola bar wrappers...not our brand.
They never get shot at in the parks, so they're very bold.  This was the
one night we didnt suspend our food packs from a rope strung between two
trees.  I blame the booze.

Black bears are great climbers, so I'm not too confident on the poptop
canvas.  Having said that, I've never heard of one infiltrating an occupied
vehicle. Standing up and shaking an occupied camper, yes, but bailing when
human presence (with large guns) was made known.  It seems the park bears
know the routine, the "wild" ones aren't too concerned about the rules.

Another tip on bears.  Don't worry about running faster than the bear.  You
can't.  Just make sure you can run faster than the folks you're camping
with :-)