RE: [Philmont]: Bears

Last I heard, in 2000 there were 1 bear per square mile. That's a bunch.
Our crew sited a mom and her 2 cubs last year in August (808). Toothpaste
can't get on the tent, right? It never gets that close to it since it was
bear bagged and in ziplocks when it was in the pack.

Although it's important not to come in contact with the black bear because
of the safety of the crew, it is also vitally important not to come in
contact with that bear for IT'S safety. You see, there is a 2 (sometimes 3)
strikes and you're out policy at Philmont for the bear. If that bear comes
into a camp, once it's found, it will be tagged and relocated. If it ever
comes into a camp again, then it is put down. I have heard that some years
they can mess up twice, other years, only one grace mess up.

Oh, and by the way, if a bear is put down due to negligence of a crew or
crew member, they can be held criminally liable since there are laws about
that sort of thing.

Bears are dangerous, but if we all follow all the rules, all the time, with
regards to bear safety, then they can peacefully live in THEIR HOME and we
can peacefully not interfere with their lifestyle.

I wouldn't understand why anyone would have it any other way.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Rick Tyler
Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2005 12:39 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: [Philmont]: Bears

I grew up backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, where bears are numerous and
talented. I've had backpacking partners had to chase bears through Little
Yosemite Valley to retrieve a pack (the bear was carrying the whole thing),
and had bears scratch my car's paint and rip the bottom out of a completely
empty pack. In 40-ish years of travel in the Sierras I've had backcountry
bear problems twice.

So, the question is, how many bear sightings does the typical crew usually
have? If someone accidentally gets a spot of toothpaste on their Bibler
tent, do they really have to ritually dispose of it? I know I'm getting
facetious, but how much of this bear advice is good advice that is rarely
required, and how much is it sober precautions for a real risk? I'm mostly
interested in stories from folks that have been there. I already understand
the argument, "It's a good practice and it certainly doesn't hurt anything."

We teach bear-awareness here in Washington, but I have to confess that the
local wildlife are a bunch of wimps compared to the chipmunks, raccoons,
squirrels, jays, and bears of the Sierra Nevada. I have routinely done all
sorts of really silly things with food here in Washington, and have never
had an animal problem. We teach food-discipline, but it just doesn't seem
to matter here.

So, is Northern New Mexico really like the high Sierra, or are we just being
properly cautious?

Yours in Scouting,

Rick Tyler
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 575, Chief Seattle Council
 
 

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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