Re: [Philmont]: Bears

California, especially the Yosemite area and the Sierras have some of
the most crafty bears around. Philmont's bears aren't quite that
smart yet. For example, you can still leave food in your car without
worrying about a bear getting into it.

I doubt that most crews see a bear. I have lost count of how many I've
seen while I was out there. But I hope that Scouts do get to see a
bear, from a far distance because it is a really cool sight to see.

Some of the more notable bear incidents were 1997 at Copper Park, the
one mentioned earlier in 2000 (that bear was never found), and at
Indian Writtings in 2001. The one in '01 was the worst that I know
about. The bear was half crazed and the campers were also at fault.
One of the campers was pulled out of the tent by the bear and cut up
pretty bad. But amazingly, that camper returned the next year to work
in the Trading Post. We had pictures in the Ranger office that summer
of what happened there. I think it would be sobering if all scouts who
came to Philmont saw what that bear did. I know I got more serious
about bear precautions after that.

I believe that it is vitally important that Scouts learn to respect
the bears and take ALL of the bear precautions that the Rangers teach.
 If you spill food or any smellable on clothing or anything, yes, it
needs to be cleaned or hung up.

Philmont is unique in that you have over 20,000 people all going to
the same campsites day in and day out for about 2 1/2 months. Bears
aren't stupid. They know you have food and they know EXACTLY where
there is going to be people every day.

Black bears are very curious. If they smell something out of the
ordinary, they are going to check it out. Heck, it probably smells
better than the grubs and berries they've been foraging for all this
time.

As to the comment on mountain lions. Yes, there are mt lions at
Philmont. They sound like a woman with a blood curdling scream when
they make a noise. I never got to see one, but that was something I
did want to see. There was a particular problem with them in '99. I
remember a few Rangers getting stalked by them. Philmont did some
hunting in the off season to curb the population and things got better
after that. But I seriously doubt that anyone is going to be having
problems with Mt. lions at Philmont. There are far less of them than
there are of bears. They also tend to feast on mule deer, elk, and
turkey. A scout wearing a backpack is not quite the target of
opportunity.

-- 
Jason Cotting
Retired Ranger
><>
My Philmont gear advice:
http://anvilgear.com/jason/backpacking
Resume: http://anvilgear.com/fire
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