Baby Bear In The Hood

Above, a bear cub at Yellowstone Bear World in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday morning, we had a little bit of excitement in the neighborhood.

I had just gotten onto Interstate 40 to go to Gallup when my next-door neighbor called and said a baby bear was in a tree at a neighbor's down the street (about three doors away) from my home. He was concerned that the mother bear might be nearby.

Bears have been coming down from the mountains lately, probably looking for water. One was killed a month ago on I-40 and another was seen in the town of Milan (around 40 miles to the east) a couple of days ago. 

The Department of Fish and Game was called in on the baby bear and they darted her and took her away and is going to a rehabilitation center in Espinola, New Mexico. Apparently, the cub came out of Albuquerque with mom but she abandoned this one and another cub. She was already tagged.

Fish and Game was still at the neighbor's when I got back from Gallup. 

Navajo Nation Man Killed By Bear

Above, a black bear at Yellowstone Bear World. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A bear attack in the Navajo Nation resulted in a fatality.

One may ask, "There are bears in the Navajo Nation?" Incredible as it may seem (not to those of us who live in New Mexico), not all of the Navajo Nation is in the desert. There are some mountainous areas with forests within the Navajo Nation.

We have bears in the Cibola National Forest near our community of Jamestown. One bear was hit recently by a vehicle when it tried to cross Interstate 40 near our community. Personally, I have not seen any bears while driving in Six Mile Canyon of the national forest.

The bear attack took place near the community of Crystal, which is in the Chuska Mountains.  

The Santa Fe New Mexican reported:

Black bears attacked two people in New Mexico this week, killing one, as drought conditions continue to drive the animals out of their habitat, increasing human-bear encounters.

The fatality occurred Thursday in Crystal on the Navajo Nation in northwestern New Mexico, The Guardian reported Friday. The victim has not been identified.

It was only the second fatal bear attack reported in a century. The last was 25 years ago.

Navajo Nation police officers killed the bear, according to the report. Tribal officials did not respond to The New Mexican’s inquiry Friday about the incident.

To read more, go here. 

Camping With A Dog In Bear Country

Above, a mother bear and cub in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following doesn't apply to me (I have two cats), but I have relatives with RVs who camp with their dogs.

That is camping with the family dog in bear country. RV Travel posted an article on the fact that dogs can, and do, initiate conflicts with bears in campgrounds.

They begin with:

If you camp in bear country with a dog, you might figure Fido gives you an early-warning system. After all, he’ll probably smell or hear a bear long before you do.

A new study suggests you might not want to count on that.

Researchers examined 326 human-bear conflicts involving domestic dogs across North America. Dogs initiated 54% of those conflicts, according to the study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management.

And don’t count on your dog to sound the alarm. Dogs warned their owners about a bear in only 9.2% of the conflicts studied.

This isn’t just a backcountry-hiking problem, either. While 45.1% of the conflicts occurred while people were hiking in wilderness areas, 35.3% happened in front-country settings.

For RVers traveling with dogs, that’s an important distinction.

To read more, go here. 

Camper Left Food and Trash Outside, A Black Bear Paid The Price

Above, a black bear at Yellowstone Bear World in Idaho. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Just as stupid people shouldn't be allowed to vote, stupid people shouldn't be allowed to camp either. 

Neither of which will ever happen, but one has to wonder how some campers in Montana left food and garbage outside that attracted a black bear. Sadly, the bear had to euthanized. Incredibly, there was a bear-resistant storage box at the campsite for them to use.

Above, a bear-resistant storage container at a campsite in Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel posted an article on the aforementioned incident and why it is important to properly store food and garbage.

They begin it with:

Wildlife officials in Montana euthanized a black bear after it repeatedly raided campgrounds near Red Lodge. One of its last stops was an unattended campsite where food, cooking grease, dog food and garbage had reportedly been left outside, even though a bear-resistant storage box was available.

The incident is a sobering reminder that leaving food and trash unsecured in bear country isn’t simply untidy. It can teach bears that campgrounds are easy places to find meals, increasing the risk to everyone camping nearby.

To read the full article, go here. 

Poll: Have You Ever Encountered A Bear While Hiking Or Camping?

Above, a black bear at Yellowstone Bear World wildlife park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Have you ever encountered a bear while hiking or in a campground? 

I have never encountered any bears in a campground or while hiking, but I have seen a mother bear and cubs near the Sequoia National Park my daughter and were staying at from a distance. We have also seen bears while in a tour bus in Yellowstone National Park.

That is the topic of a new poll by RV Travel. 

They start it off with:

It seems like bear encounters have been making the news more frequently lately. Just this week, a hiker in Glacier National Park suffered a broken arm after a surprise encounter with a grizzly bear on a popular trail. Earlier this season, several campgrounds and trails across North America reported temporary closures or warnings due to increased bear activity.

Of course, that’s not necessarily because bears are becoming more aggressive. Summer is when both people and bears are spending more time outdoors. More RVers are heading into national parks, national forests, and remote camping areas, and that means more opportunities for humans and bears to cross paths.

To read more and participate in the poll, go here. 

Yellowstone Bear Attack Near Old Faithful Geyser

Above, a mother bear and cub in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that spring has sprung, bears in our national parks are out and about. As evidence of this, two hikers were attacked on a trail near Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park.

According to an article in RV Travel:

A bear attack that injured two hikers in Yellowstone National Park this week didn’t happen deep in the backcountry. It happened near one of the most visited parts of the park—close to Old Faithful—on a trail many visitors walk every day.

What happened

According to the National Park Service, two hikers were injured May 4 on the Mystic Falls Trail, not far from Old Faithful. Rangers responded quickly, and both visitors were treated and removed from the area. Officials have not yet released details about the severity of the injuries or exactly what led to the encounter.

To read more, go here. 

Bigfoot vs. Bear

This is funny! It is likely a man in costume "fighting" a trained bear. But if Bigfoots (Bigfeet?) actually do exist, maybe there's been skirmishes between them and bears. 

Interesting food for thought. My money would be on the bear.

How Fast Can A Bear Run? Very Fast!

Above, a black bear at Yellowstone Bear World. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have seen bears at a national park twice. The first was in Sequoia National Park and the second was in Yellowstone National Park.

If one encounters a bear, keep in mind that they may be many yards away, but they are fast runners.

That is the topic of an article in RV Travel, along with a video.

It begins with:

The video below from RVingWithJoe is only 30 seconds long, but it bears watching (pun definitely intended). Why? Because it answers the question, “How fast can a bear run?” Turns out bears can run pretty darn fast when they want to.

Joe happened upon this bear rapidly running across the road. Luckily, he was safely in his vehicle, but he did manage to get footage. We might think of bears as big, slow, lumbering creatures, but this video proves that it is not true.

To read more and see the video, go here. 

Hiking & Camping In Black Bear Country

Above, a black bear at Yellowstone Bear World. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In view of my last post of a bear incident near Aspen, Colorado and that summer camping season is almost upon us, I thought it would be a good idea to post the following from the American Bear Association.

It is about hiking and camping while in bear country.

They begin with:

Hiking & Camping in Black Bear Country

Recreational use of parks and wilderness areas is increasing. Tolerance and an appreciation for the unpredictable nature of resident wildlife is increasingly important. Negative encounters are often a result of human carelessness rather than an aggressive act by the animal. This is especially true with bears. Most bear “attacks” are caused by surprising a bear and usually can be prevented. Understanding bear behavior and recognizing bear sign are important when hiking or camping in Bear Country. 

Before the Trip

Plan ahead – be prepared. Contact the local wildlife agency or park headquarters for information about the area wildlife, hiking/camping procedures and precautions as well as for any current bear activity areas.

• Familiarize yourself with bear behavior and signs.
• Avoid packing odorous food and nonfood (fragrant cosmetic, toiletries, etc.) items. Use bear-proof containers, doubled plastic bags or airtight canisters to seal in odors.
• Bring extra bags for leftovers and for packing out garbage, if necessary.
• Pack a flashlight and binoculars.
• Avoid taking a dog or keep it leashed.

 To read more (a lot more), go here.

 

Campground Bans Tents After A Bear's Visit

Above, a mother bear and her cub in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As far as I know, my campsites never received a visit by a bear while I was camping in a tent or in an RV. 

I have camped in bear country a few times. One can tell by the signs and having a bear-proof food storage locker at the campsite. 

Above, the bear-proof food storage locker at my campsite in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

However, recently some kids sleeping in a tent in a Colorado campground received a midnight visit by a black bear. Nobody was hurt and the kids took the incident in stride.  

RV Travel posted an article on the incident.

They begin it with:

When a black bear poked its nose—and claws—into a tent where two kids were sleeping at Difficult Campground near Aspen, Colorado, the U.S. Forest Service decided that “difficult” was a little too “on the nose.” The result: an emergency ban on tents and other soft-sided shelters at the site, effective immediately.

To read more, go here. 

Yellowstone Bear World

Above, a resident of Yellowstone Bear World. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My previous post on bears vs. recreational vehicles jogged a memory of ten years ago this month.

It was then that my daughter Amber and I took an RV trip to Yellowstone National Park. It was the first real trip in the RV (although we did go to Las Vegas in it a few weeks before). 

Above, here, visitors can feed bear cubs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along the way to Yellowstone National Park, we stopped at Yellowstone Bear World in Rexburg, Idaho. It is a wildlife park in which visitors can drive in areas set aside for different species of animals including, of course, bears.

Above, outside of the gift shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From Yellowstone Bear World's website:

About Us

No vacation to the Yellowstone National Park or Grand Teton National Park region is complete without an adventure into the wild at Yellowstone Bear World, a drive-thru wildlife park. During your visit you will be surrounded by the free-roaming wildlife of North America as you drive your personal vehicle through the park.

Wildlife you will see includes Rocky Mountain Elk, Bison, White-tail Deer, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Goats, and of course American Black Bear and Grizzly Bear. Remember to visit our petting zoo, enjoy the amusement rides, dine at the Hungry Bear Cafe, and explore the animatronic dinosaurs in Jurassic Creek! Located 5 miles south of Rexburg, Idaho on US HWY 20 we are easily accessible from both Jackson Hole, Wyoming and West Yellowstone, Montana. (see map) When you visit this beautiful region don’t miss Idaho’s #1 wildlife attraction, Yellowstone Bear World.

Above, a moose relaxing in his section. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 It was a fun park to visit. to access their website, go here. 

Your RV Won't Stand A Chance Against a Bear! (Video)

Above, a black bear at Yellowstone Bear World. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Are RVs impervious to bear attacks?

Apparently not! A northern California man's fifth wheel trailer was trashed by a California black bear. The bear tore a big hole in the trailer's roof to get inside to feast upon stored foods.

RVingWithJoe posted the following video:

Photographing Yellowstone Wildlife Safely

Above, a zoom shot of a mother bear and cub in Yellowstone. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Because people do dumb things, such as approaching bison too close, Yellowstone National Park officials have to remind people on how to safely photograph wildlife.

ABC Fox Montana posted an article on safely photographing Yellowstone's wildlife.

They begin with:

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. - Officials from Yellowstone reached out Saturday to remind photographers how to safely get the best shots of the many wildlife encounters that can occur in the park, such as grizzlies and wolves fighting over food sources. 

The first step in capturing the moment, according to the park, is to zoom with the camera lens, not your feet. Park rules are to keep a distance of 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (23 m) from all other wildlife.

To read more, go here. 

Man Attacked By Grizzly in Grand Teton National Park Survives

Above, Grand Teton National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A man hiking in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming was attacked by a grizzly bear.

Fortunately, he survived the attack because the bear activated a can of bear spray on herself. The bear was protecting her cubs, by the way.

RV Travel begins their article on the attack with:

A hiker in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park was miraculously saved this past week when a grizzly bear used bear spray on itself!

Shayne Patrick Burke, a disabled Army Reserve veteran, described his encounter with a grizzly bear in Grand Teton National Park as “the most violent” experience of his life. On a hike to photograph owls, Burke spotted a grizzly cub and was soon attacked by its mother. 

To read the full story, go here. 

Don’t Make These 5 National Parks Mistakes!

Above, wildlife should only be observed from a safe distance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A new term has been coined for stupid people doing stupid things in our national parks. It is touron. It is a combination of the words tourist and moron.

There seems to a lot of tourons out in the national parks these days. 

RV Travel has posted a video and article on five mistakes people make in our national parks.

They begin it with:

The team from CampBrood says there are some surefire ways to spot a National Park beginner and these 5 national park mistakes are a dead giveaway that the person is a new, inexperienced visitor in the national parks.

But fear not. Not only does the video show you five beginner national park mistakes—it also shows how to correct them. The video also says that from time to time, even experienced travelers make some of these national park mistakes.

To read more and see the video, go here. 

Stay Alive and Unhurt In Visiting National Parks

Above, Yellowstone's bears are best seen from a safe distance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The frequency of moronic actions by tourists in Yellowstone National Park (and in some other national parks) seems to be on the rise.

Encounters between tourists and wild animals sometimes turn deadly. Also, not following the rules by staying on designated boardwalks can literally get one in to hot water. Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan is in trouble for going off a designated boardwalk near a hot water feature. He is to go to trial over this.

RV Travel has some tips on how not to become a tragic "statistic".

They begin with:

A highly popular social media site, TouronsOfYellowstone, brings home the antics of “stupid” Yellowstone National Park visitors. Scores of film clips show human beings showing far less sense than “dumb animals.” How many times do visitors need to be reminded that bison don’t want to be ridden, bears fiercely guard their cubs, and moose on the loose are dangerous? Want to stay alive and unhurt while visiting the parks? Stick around—we have a few tips. 

To read more, go here. 

5 Things To Never Do In National Parks

Above, lounging bison in a Yellowstone meadow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sometimes I have to wonder if people visiting our national parks are leaving their commons sense at the entrance gates.

There's been a spate of encounters between people and bison and people chasing after bears.

Sunset Magazine's website has a list of five things one should never do in national parks.

They begin with:

While the peak of summer travel season in our majestic National Parks is coming to a close, fall is still a busy (and very beautiful) time to visit, especially with the leaves changing colors. But given the number of altercations between humans and wildlife as of late—with viral videos of tourists chasing bears and being gored by bison in Yellowstone—perhaps it’s time for a refresher on what you shouldn’t do when visiting our National Parks. The basic principles of Leave No Trace are important guidelines to follow so that you and your family stay safe, and to ensure that the natural environment remains intact for future generations to enjoy it.

Though incidences of injury from animals are indeed on the rise, the risk of being attacked is still relatively low, but with so many people in the park during peak season, it’s not surprising that this many things happen. Overwhelmingly, the incidents are a result of the people getting too close to the animals, like the scenario in Yellowstone where tourists were racing towards a family of bears.

“A lot of people don’t have familiarity with real, authentic wildlife. When they come into these areas they think that they’re essentially visiting a zoo. This is not a zoo. These are National Parks,” said Grant T. Johnson, a wildlife guide in Yellowstone in a recent CNN broadcast. “These are true wild, authentic wildernesses, and these animals are wild and they’re potentially dangerous if you push the limits with them.”

As fall travel season approaches, here’s a reminder of what you absolutely shouldn’t do when traveling to National Parks, or other wild lands for that matter. Ultimately, staying safe and keeping wildlife wild is up to us as visitors, so do so responsibly.

To read more, go here. 

Tourists Sprint Towards Mama Bear and Cubs

Above, a mother bear and cub at Yellowstone National Park in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After reading the following (and seeing a video) one can only conclude that this is a stupid world we now live in.

The Daily Mail (U.K.) reported:

A shocking video of tourists sprinting towards a bear at Yellowstone National Park has gone viral and prompted backlash on social media. 

The clip shows a mother black bear and her two cubs sniffing around in the grass, alongside a road full of queuing cars.

Suddenly, a group of tourists jump out of their vehicles, point, and then begin to sprint towards the bears.

There are four men running, one of whom appears to be carrying a toddler in his arms, while a woman comes into shot approaching the animals with a camera.

Thankfully, the mama bear and her cubs seemed to be startled by the approaching people and quickly ran away from the cars.

To read more and see the video, go here.     

Black Bears Are Scaling Yosemite's Half Dome

Above, Half Dome. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Black bears inhabit Yosemite National Park in California. They're pretty much everywhere. Campsites in Yosemite Valley each have a bear-proof storage bin for campers to use.

Recently, evidence of a black bear at the top of the park's Half Dome was recently found.

From the Spokane, Washington The Spokesman-Review:

Climbers who summit Yosemite’s Half Dome can expect panoramic views of the national park’s luscious valley – but now park rangers say they might also spot traces of black bears, or even the animal itself.

Park rangers recently found evidence pointing to the presence of a black bear at the top of Half Dome, Yosemite officials said. The animals are natural climbers and, unlike people, do not need 425 feet of cable to scale the quartz rock formation’s 46-degree angle.

“This observation serves as a good reminder that bear safety applies EVERYWHERE in Yosemite,” park officials said on Facebook. “For the safety of people and animals alike, keep your friends close and your food closer.”

Yosemite officials reminded visitors to keep smelly objects like food or sunscreen locked away in lockers or canisters. On the trail, hikers should keep backpacks and other items within reach lest they be ransacked by bears or the Half Dome ground squirrels.

Bear encounters are not uncommon in Yosemite, which is home to an estimated 300 to 500 black bears. The animals usually cause property damage or snatch food. People are rarely injured, and no one has died of a bear attack in Yosemite, according to the park service.

 

Above, a North American black bear. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

Grand Teton Bears Raiding Coolers, Backpacks of Swimmers

Above, a North American black bear. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yogi Bear appears to have left Jellystone park and has migrated to Grand Teton National Park where he has started a pastime: raiding coolers and backpacks of swimmers.

According to the Billings Gazette:

Visitors soaking in Grand Teton National Park's waters have unintentionally caused problems with black bears.

On Aug. 11, a black bear at Phelps Lake found an unattended backpack and consumed human food. This follows three other recent incidents of black bears accessing human items left along lakeshores while visitors were in the water. In the last five years, almost half of all human-black bear conflicts within Grand Teton have occurred around lakes, according to the National Park Service

Proper food storage is mandatory in Grand Teton and visitors are required to secure all attractants for the protection of bears and other wildlife, as well as for human safety. These regulations apply whether you are camping, having a picnic, or swimming. 

To read more, go here.