[Philmont] Black Bear Attack

FWIW: In addition to training my Crews to death about bear safety, I
always place a large rock next to my tent whenever we're in bear
territory, and have my headlight flashlight in the tent with me. If I
have to do the caveman thing with a bear that is attacking mine or a
neighboring Crew in the middle of the night, I need a little more than
harsh language and hand-to-paw combat. You may wish to do similarly. I
will add that I have now seen somewhere on the order of 70 bears in my
lifetime, the closest one at about 4 feet, and all were well behaved
(which is why I am able to write this post). I will note that frankly I
think it far more likely that I will have to go in attack (and probably
get horribly mauled or die) mode on behalf of someone in a neighboring
Crew who didn't take the warnings seriously. Every experienced Advisor
and Ranger on this List can recite plenty of stories of Crews that were
begging for bear trouble. That ain't so good when you're camped next
door, or if you're camping on their site the next night. Wally Feurtado
has relayed to me that according to the bear squad at the Ranch,
virtually every attack on a Scout or Advisor was the fault of the human,
not the bear. My personal observations (from 1972 on) would call that
assertion 100 percent accurate. So I make sure we're safe - and I got
the rock just in case someone else ain't. We all know that the Scout
Motto isn't just about having a pack of waterproof matches, etc.

- Dr. Bob

John LeBlanc wrote:
> I think you mean this article:
> http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Jun18/0,4670,BRFBearAttack,00.html
>
> http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070619-1234-wst-bearattack.html
> <http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070619-1234-wst-bearattack.html>
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Yes, I do. I read all the available articles about the attack hoping to
> post a link to the most complete article and I simply failed at that
> endeavor in my haste to get it posted and leave for work. I apologise
> for that. Now I am at work and like some others on this list, have a
> little time on my hands.
>
> It is very sad and unfortunate for this young man and his family. The
> grandfather has lashed out in his anger and frustration and
> helplessness. I am sorry for that.
>
> And as expected, like Rush calls them "the drive by media" has made a
> circus of the reports. The simple truth is a lot of things were done or
> not done that shouldn't have occurred. The stage for a death was set
> through ignorance and lack of knowledge.
>
> The first thing I noticed from the sketchy report was the father could
> not follow and find his son just 400 yards from the tent and had to
> leave to get help because he did not have a flashlight and was in shower
> shoes. this is a shame because he might just possibly could have fended
> off the bear and saved his sons life. In events like this, time is of
> essense.
>
> In Handbook for Boys, 1956 edition which I memorized before becoming a
> Scout, the three items on top of the pack were a flashlight, first aid
> kit and poncho or raincoat.
>
> Now I rest my case of all the posts I have made stating all the various
> flimsy "camp shoes" "Crocks" and other such drival were inappropriate.
> I rest my case for owning a North Face sleeping bag with a pocket near
> the head opening which contains my flashlight.
>
> When I was a combat medic in the U S Army, we slept prepared for
> whatever occurred knowing that it would occur. Murphy is still in charge.
>
> When sleeping in bear country, you MUST sleep prepared for whatever will
> occur and be ready to act in a moments notice.
>
> I don't live in Bear country, I live in Alligator country. The same
> goes here. It will occur and you better be ready for it.
>
> This father has a miserable burden to carry the rest of his life and I
> am not condeming him. I feel really compasionate. However, my advise
> to adult advisors is to stop and think of your charges ahd the action
> you will take should the inevitable occur. Pre plan for the inevetable.
>
> As a Scout, old or young, you must remain "Be Prepared" at all times.
>
> And finally, I pray for the family of this young man and share in their
> loss. May God rest his soul.
>
> John LeBlanc
>
> PS I'll dig up the story of my Philmont bear experience from 1959 and
> repost it on this list. I haven't done that in a few years. It will
> simply illustrate that some things change and some things stay the same
> when dealing with bears.
>

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Received on Tue Jun 19 20:36:40 2007