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Message
GPS study tracks grizzlies as they follow hunters
Posted on 11/24/14 at 6:35 pm
Posted on 11/24/14 at 6:35 pm
LINK
quote:
Eight Montana grizzly bears have been outfitted with GPS trackers in an ongoing study that could bring some unnerving news to hunters.
The study is aimed at bolstering the theory that grizzlies, which can be as stealthy as they are ferocious, stalk hunters from as close as the length of a football field in order to steal their prey. Already, data has shown at least one grizzly following oblivious elk hunters almost from the moment they left the parking lot, according to the Billings Gazette. Scientists believe the bear may have been following the humans in hopes of getting to a fallen elk before they did.
quote:
In the most clearly detailed example, a group of hunters turned on their GPS devices moments after leaving a parking area at around 6 a.m. When scientists analyzed their movements later and contrasted them with those of a nearby grizzly, it became clear the bear was tailing them.
The bruin stayed downwind of the hunters, at one point coming within 100 yards of them as they moved around a lake. At around noon, the bear bedded down for a nap, but easily picked up the hunters’ trail again when it awoke, according to the report. Grizzly bears’ have a sense of smell seven times greater than that of a bloodhound, and 100 times that of a human by some estimates. Grizzlies also possess a Jacobson’s organ in the roof of their mouth that can detect heavier moisture-borne odors.
Scientists tracked the bear as it appeared to smell an elk carcass from 4 miles away, follow the scent and even wound up swimming across the lake to get to it, according to the report. They also observed that the bear made some evasive maneuvers, possibly to avoid an untagged grizzly competing for the same meat.
8
Posted on 11/24/14 at 6:44 pm to wickowick
Good stuff. Smart animals.
Posted on 11/24/14 at 7:03 pm to wickowick
Friend of mine who used to fly a helicopter for F&WS said he would see bears literally a few feet from hunters and hikers and the people never knew. Bears would be hiding behind the foliage.
Posted on 11/24/14 at 7:42 pm to wickowick
Very interesting.
Posted on 11/24/14 at 7:45 pm to wickowick
Interesting, but not surprising. I've had foxes and coyotes follow me all the time. Although, if it were bears I probably wouldn't be hunting in that area. 
Posted on 11/24/14 at 9:49 pm to ZacAttack
My dad used to live in Alaska and they knew bears did that in the 60's. Hence everyone carried a 357 mag or better handgun or sawed off shotgun for bear protection and prayed. Bears would kill a few people every Spring Summer.
My dad used to hunt Dahl sheep and say as hard as it was to bag one getting down the mountain with it was even more difficult. And scarier. He used to say you hear the damn bear outside middle of night getting the sheep and it was like frick it I hope he leaves me something. Nothing else you can do.
My dad used to hunt Dahl sheep and say as hard as it was to bag one getting down the mountain with it was even more difficult. And scarier. He used to say you hear the damn bear outside middle of night getting the sheep and it was like frick it I hope he leaves me something. Nothing else you can do.
This post was edited on 11/24/14 at 9:51 pm
Posted on 11/25/14 at 3:44 am to wickowick
No doubt that bears can be dangerous creatures but this reminds me of all the reports of people seeing sharks swimming very close to oblivious swimmers. Is there more imminent danger or does this just prove that although often close, bears are unlikely to attack humans?
Posted on 11/25/14 at 8:42 am to MC5601
quote:
Is there more imminent danger or does this just prove that although often close, bears are unlikely to attack humans?
I would think that the bear knows we are a threat and it's main goal is a free meal. The fact that the bear follows but, doesn't attack the hunters on a regular basis proves that.
Posted on 11/25/14 at 8:45 am to eyepooted
I think you just contradicted yourself…unless I'm misunderstanding you. Which is always possible.
Posted on 11/25/14 at 8:49 am to wickowick
An old guy that hunts on a friend's property in Madison told me about a woman that shot a deer. Before she could get down to take a look a black bear sow and 2 cubs started eating it. She called her husband and he had to shoot in the air to get the bears to run away. Happened last week.
Posted on 11/25/14 at 8:58 am to eyepooted
quote:
I would think that the bear knows we are a treat and it's main goal is a free meal.
how i read it
Posted on 11/25/14 at 9:08 am to TexasTiger34
This post was edited on 11/25/14 at 9:12 am
Posted on 11/25/14 at 9:17 am to TexasTiger34
quote:
Grizzly bears’ have a sense of smell seven times greater than that of a bloodhound, and 100 times that of a human by some estimates.
Dang, I guess that is why a bear will always know you are around before you ever see him.
Posted on 11/25/14 at 12:12 pm to ctiger69
quote:
Dang, I guess that is why a bear will always know you are around before you ever see him.
except for that one bear that climbed up that tree next to a guy on a tree stand
Posted on 11/25/14 at 12:20 pm to wickowick
quote:Sounds more like black bears to me.
that grizzlies, which can be as stealthy as they are ferocious, stalk hunters from as close as the length of a football field in order to steal their prey.
Posted on 11/25/14 at 12:29 pm to MC5601
quote:
does this just prove that although often close, bears are unlikely to attack humans?
Yes. Brown bears are territorial though and can bluff you which will scare the crap out of anyone. I'm surprised there are so few bear attacks considering how many times we come in contact with them.
Posted on 11/25/14 at 12:32 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Don't polar bears actively stalk and hunt humans?
Posted on 11/25/14 at 12:49 pm to wickowick
supposedly the sound of a shot means frsh meat on the ground to a smart grizzly. This is just the culmination of that knowledge, ie. get there before the shot.
Posted on 11/25/14 at 1:13 pm to KosmoCramer
quote:
Don't polar bears actively stalk and hunt humans?
Don't know, we're pretty far removed from polar bears. They are marine mammals technically and spend a lot of their life on sea ice.
Posted on 11/25/14 at 5:36 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Seems like I remember reading that Polars were the most aggressive of the bears?
Those Coke commercials are nothing like reality.
Those Coke commercials are nothing like reality.
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