There are two kinds of California bears, those that are hunted and those that aren't. Those in Yosemite, and this drought year those in populated areas of the Sierra, will eat your food. One woman in South Tahoe reported a bear tapped her on the side while she was emptying garbage into her garbage can - a very polite bear. If a campground has bear boxes, use them. Bears have been known to break into cars based on food in coolers. Yosemite keeps a running count of the damage done by bears to cars each year - it's hundreds of thousands of dollars. You will have nocturnal visitors, bears and raccoons. But most bears are hunted and afraid of humans. There is a small minority that will not fear you. Throw rocks at them and make loud noises - bang big spoons on metal pots and yell. Shine your million candlepower flashlight in their eyes and whoop. This usually works. It's all part of the experience after all - enjoy your contact with nature!!! It's their world... Jeff Olson Martin, SD
> Anyone have any estimate of what's "safe" versus what's "paranoid"? > I'd really like to go happily back up into bear country (California's > Sierras ... among the most glorious parts of this earth that I've ever > seen!!! :-D) > > > (Just becuz yer paranoid duzn't mean they're not out to get ya!!!) > > |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.