Best biology of bear books according to redditors
We found 43 Reddit comments discussing the best biology of bear books. We ranked the 17 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 43 Reddit comments discussing the best biology of bear books. We ranked the 17 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Bear spray is much more likely to be effective in this particular situation. Don't get me wrong I love my guns (I carry a .357 in bear country, there is a time and place for it) but in this particular situation the chances of fatally shooting a bear that large which is that close are slim. Bear spray is specifically made for these kinds of encounters and has statistically much higher success compared to firearms.
For detailed breakdowns of the mechanics of bear attacks, when to use which weapon, and why certain weapons fail in certain circumstances check out the work of Stephen Herrero, especially Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance. NOLS has also put out many resources on bear country safety, and of course the copious research by Dwight K. Schrute is also invaluable.
This post inspired much discussion about taxonomic differences between "Grizzly Bears" and "Brown Bears." Both are currently classified as the same species as several comments noted. Beyond that significant detail, I'll leave it to taxonomists to distinguish subspecies, etc.. My interest is in differences between these animal in the field and how they respond to human encounters. Many authorities note important behavioral differences between "coastal brown bears" and "interior grizzlies." I have never been close enough to an interior grizzly to see anything but a small blob in the distance. I've had brown bear mothers with cubs walk right though my campsite in Katmai and not take notice of me. Tom Smith, bear expert, described in his 2012 NOLS Faculty talk that bears have a tolerance for close approach that is variable, but generally, coastal bears are more approachable -- not that you should approach them. On the other hand, interior grizzlies react at much greater distance and may be a much greater threat. Smith and Stephen Herrero both suggest that many grizz charges are bluffs. Bear spray, according to these experts, is a better counter-measure for several reasons, not least of which is that you are not wounding a bear that was just bluffing in the first place.
A lot of YNP wildlife has a different attitude about people than you or I would be used to, coming from the midwest. They can sometimes be very apathetic of human presence.
Just take pepper spray into the backcountry with you. It's the best defense. Now you are the skunk.
In 2009 I went into YNP alone totalling many weeks of time spent in backcountry. I was very paranoid and afraid, but reading a few books on the subject helped immensely: Bear Attacks, Causes, and Avoidance for example.
The two times I saw Grizzly in the backcountry, my knowledge gained from conversations and books kept me from getting more upset. I learned how to hone a knife and had a really sharp knife handy, plus the bear spray can, and both times I monitored the wind and tried to get it to smell me, both so it would go away sooner and so that the spray would be on it and not on me. Each bear just moved off with no interest in me or my camp.
You'll read things that seem impossibly strict or contradictory if you try to follow the park's guidance alone. Their guidance on food smells is impossibly strict. They expect you to change into different clothes after you're done eating and hang all that stuff up with your food bag.
Besides reading a few books about being in bear territory, one of the best things for me was to watch YouTube videos of bear encounters, and there are some documentaries with bear encounters in them. Bears and raccoon have a similar manner / personality or what have you.
Basically, you don't want to surprise a bear. Two people have a big advantage because your conversation, mass and movement will generally ward off wildlife. When cresting a little hill or coming into a thicket, just announce yourself. Yell "hey, bear."
Research has so far shown the pepper spray to be more effective than gun shots at warding off a bear. You can purchase the bear spray at many of the stores and gas stations in YNP, or in any of the surrounding towns. A nice knife or hatchet in your fist will make you feel a little better, too.
Bears in YNP aren't bad at all. They're very wild, and that's what we want when we're outdoors in its habitat. The bears that are bad to be around are ones that are quite familiar with human food. Those are dangerous bears. In the Sierra Nevada and along the King's Range coast in California, black bears are real bastards. In YNP and the surrounding ecosystem, excluding bears from food and garbage has been very effective. In the backcountry, your knowledge of bear behavior and motivations is your best resource.
Check out the book Bears without Fear if you want better advice. I understand that ParksCanada likes to freak people out.
The best trick I've ever learned is eating on trail an hour before I plan to stop. That way I air out, I start digesting and processing and my camp doesn't smell like food. I also tend to hang my food then continue on for 1km or so then set up camp, that way there has never been a strong food smell near where I'm unconscious/sleeping.
Downvote to everyone recommending bear bells.
Bear bells are NOT a good idea, but a terrible one, as they give people a false sense of security. Bears need to hear you coming. But particularly, bears need to hear YOU coming. Human sounds are what make a difference. The way you walk alone is relevant, but the absolute best thing you can do is make noise. If you are chatting along the trail, you're doing what you need to do. Your voice carries farther than a bear bell, and is a distinctively human sound.
In places, that might not be enough - tight bushes, where you can't see what's ahead, and neither can a bear, berry patches, where a bear might be busier and inattentive, along a creek, where the water makes noise, when you are hiking into the wind, and such. In those places, you want to give out an occasional loud yell, and keep yourselves additionally aware.
Bear bells are not loud enough to carry far for a bear, and they are not a distinctively human sound, so if a bear does notice it, he is at least as likely to become curious and investigate as he is to move off. But again, the upside of that is that the fact that they don't carry means you're pretty good.
The only thing bear bells protect you against is hiking partners.
If you can hike with more people, that is a good idea. But if the two of you are aware and making human noise, you're in pretty good shape.
If you really want to save your breath, an air horn has been shown to possibly help, but really, if you're not able to give an occasional shout, maybe slow down and take it a little easier.
Bear spray is a last-chance effort. If a bear is actually charging you, and gets within a few metres, you can spray, and it has a good chance of stopping the attack. It is a nice idea to carry as a last option, but you should change none of your other choices on the basis of whether or not you are carrying bear spray. It's something you don't want to use, but have just in case.
If you do want it, you can purchase at most gear stores.
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Since this thread insists on filling up with terrible bear advice, I recommend you the definitive book if you want to get the proper word.
Knowing what state or region would really help. Salmon fishing on coastal Alaskan rivers is different than hiking in Wyoming.
For lots of reasons, people think of guns first as bear protection. Guns are definitely an important and valid tool (when I worked in Alaska, I carried a shotgun at all times in the backcountry), but they are not your first line of defense. This is going to sound cliche, but it's absolutely true: knowledge is your best defense.
When you're hiking, are you aware of the wind direction? Or how wind or creek noise could make it hard for a bear to hear you approach? Are you thinking about seasonal food sources and where bears are more likely to be? Do you have a good understanding of black bear vs brown bear behavior, and common reasons for attacks? Beyond just "if it's black fight back, if it's brown lay down". Can you tell the difference between them, even with a black bear that has a brown coat? I've also seen brown bears with a black coat.
This is the best book I've seen on the subject. I highly recommend it.
https://www.amazon.com/Bear-Attacks-Causes-Avoidance-revised/dp/158574557X
It's kind of like self defense classes. Everyone wants to learn cool moves to disarm a knife and stuff, but realistically the most helpful practice is just being observant and avoiding high risk situations.
Of course, even with good awareness and best practices, there's still a chance of getting attacked. It happens (rarely). That's the point where you need to decide between bear spray, handgun, shotgun, etc, but if you're not starting out from a solid base of knowledge you're doing it wrong.
Handguns are terrible, but better than nothing. They're hard to aim, especially under pressure, so if you're not interested in target shooting regularly, this is a bad choice.
Shotguns are powerful, easy to reload, and fairly easy to aim, but are a bitch to carry and still require some practice.
Bear spray is just about ideal. It's nonlethal, so you're more likely to actually use it in time. With a gun, there's going to be hesitation: if a bear is just sauntering towards you, ignoring your yelling and attempts to retreat, at what distance do you decide to kill it? With bear spray, there's no worry. Hose it.
It's also lightweight and requires virtually no practice. You should practice drawing it, and consider buying a practice dummy canister to see what the range/spread is, but that's about it.
There have been instances where it's failed to stop a charge. They're rare, but they happen. But guns fail too, especially if you're not a practiced shot. Nothing's perfect. That's why good behavioral practices have to come first, it'll avoid 99% of possible encounters.
TL;DR- keep carrying bear spray, but you need to study. Read the book I linked, then email or visit your local ranger station or fish and wildlife office and ask about bear populations, known encounters, and high risk areas.
For reference, grizzly bears are brown bears. Grizzly usually refers to interior bears, while brown bears usually refers to the larger coastal Alaskan bears. But they're the same species.
Oh, and bears can swim faster than you.
Pronghorns are a living Artifact in thay sense. As it sits, no predator in their natural range can catch them unless they get an ambush or the prey is wounded.
The Americas had a great diversity of large wildlife several thousand years ago. For anyone interested, I would recommend the book American Serengeti by Dan Flores.
In general you should set up your shelter away from where you prepare and cook food, never store any food in your shelter, and store your food away from your shelter. The distance varies, but it should be at least 50 feet and possibly much more if you have really dangerous animals (grizzly bear, for example) in the area. Also, be a bit noisy around your campsite and when you're hiking to alert the local bears to your presence. Most bear attacks are not predatory in nature, but because a bear was surprised by a human suddenly appearing. They really do prefer not to deal with people. You should also consider (in fact, I'd strongly suggest) asking the local camping organization what tips they have for camping and hiking on the island. It's probably a good idea to bring bear spray and a powerful flashlight to deter any unwanted advances into your campsite.
/edit-some other things to consider-non cook meals, bring a partner, and please leave a detailed itinerary with a trusted person before you leave. For what it's worth, bears very rarely attacks groups of people-a camping buddy not only provides an extra pair of eyes and ears but is a deterrent by himself/herself. Also, get a copy of Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance which is the classic on how to deal with bears.
Please don’t make yourself big for a bear as raising your arms is seen as aggressive by the bear. Similarly, you don’t want to spray a bear unless it has started to charge you. Both those actions make the bear see you as a threat, and their reaction to a nearby threat can be to attack. Talk to it if you want, make sure it’s aware of you.
Assuming you’ve got your food and smelly stuff properly hung/protected and NOT in your tent, just leave it alone and go to bed. Sounds unsettling, I know, but most black bears are only interested in your food, not you, unless you scare them. Ive spent more than a few nights sleeping while a black bear sat under my food bag wondering how to get it. Biggest problem was I didn’t want to go outside the tent to pee. Human acclimatized grizzlies are a different case.
Read some of the good (not horror story) books on bears like NOLS Bear Essentials.
More for food protection: http://andrewskurka.com/2011/food-protection-techniques-in-bear-country/
If you're spending a lot of time in grizzly country, understanding their food/behavioral cycle can be helpful too so a book like this would be good: https://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-Bear-Thomas-McNamee/dp/0394529987
If you're always together a bear attack is statistically less likely than solo but it's worth each getting bear spray and having it handy when you're out.
No, sir, that is not correct. According to a 2008 study co-authored by Dr. Stephen Herrero—whose Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance (1985) is the definitive book on the subject—bear spray is considerably more effective than a gun when it comes to deterring bear attacks. The researchers studied the use of bear spray in Alaska over a 20-year period and found that the spray stopped “undesirable” behavior an impressive 94% of the time with grizzlies and 100% with black bears.
Some terrible bear advice in this thread, thanks for your comment.
For those who actually want to be informed rather than needlessly fear and as a result, not enjoy nature, I recommend Backcountry Bear Basics.
A predatory response is a function of multiple things, but most notably, the level of satiation. A bear will not fuck with you if it's full and you aren't otherwise threatening it. That guy saying that "grizzlies will kill for fun" is spreading absolute nonsense. A bear, regardless of color, will decide to kill you if it's desperate for food or you threaten it. As for the latter, even if you threaten it, you will more often be let off the hook than attacked (especially with black bears). Grizzlies are protective of two things: their cubs and their food source. Don't fuck with those and you'll be fine, as the drive to get to the trailhead is MUCH more dangerous than a wildlife attack scenario.
Black bears are much less protective of their cubs. Ecologists can (and do) fucking run at black bear sows. Guess what happens? They almost always abandon their cubs.
Death in the Grizzly Maze
Polar Bears: A Natural History of a Threatened Species Scientist by Ian Stirling - I found it well written and very specialised if you have an interest in polar bears.
You're missing that I didn't feel like gathering the dozen plus articles and books that researchers has been involved in, most of which are behind paywalls, so I linked to a summary figuring anyone actually interested could use the info from the article to find more. But let me Google that for you:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1080603299708483
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/170/3958/593
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2193/2006-452/abstract
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.72/abstract
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3873165?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
https://www.amazon.com/Bear-Attacks-Causes-Avoidance-revised/dp/158574557X
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.342/full
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/150925-grizzly-bears-attacks-science-animals-bear-spray/
For a book that actually explains quite a few things about pandas (Including low-sex drive and diet), please take a look at this. While the writing could be better it truly is a fascinating explanation of pandas from a biological and political perspective.
I've seen bears a few times. They are rarely kept in zoos (you are more likely to find a lion in a zoo) but there is one zoo near my parent's summer cabin that has a couple. Also Clark's Trading Post is a weird little theme park that has trained bears.
I've never seen one in the wild, but I understand in the state north of me black bears getting into your garbage is commonplace.
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Bears are solitary omnivores. (Except for polar bears...which are carnivores). Because they can live off things other then meat they survive in woods too small to support a large pure carnivore...and are thus the biggest baddest predator left any where near here.
Black bears are the smallest, cutest, and least aggressive kind in the US. They are good climbers.
Grizzlies are bigger, more aggressive, and rarer. Their claws are more optimized for digging then climbing.
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A book by a guy who loved bears...
Among Grizzlies: Living with Wild Bears in Alaska: Timothy
..and a book about how that guy was killed by bears.
Death in the Grizzly Maze: The Timothy Treadwell Story
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Or if you want a comedy, Threadbear by Andrew Selpie is a novel about a magically animated teddy bear. More violent then it sounds
More or less. Here is a great book by a wildlife biologist for anyone interested in details - I've just read it :)
Bear-Attacks-Their-Causes-Avoidance
I have some more suggestions.
Wolves
Decade of the Wolf: Returning the Wild to Yellowstone
American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West
Wolves at Our Door: The Extraordinary Story of the Couple Who Lived With Wolves
Big Cats
Heart of a Lion: A Loose Cat's Walk Across America
Beast in the Garden: A Modern Parable of Man and Nature
Lion Hearted: The Life and Death of Cecil & The Future of Africa's Iconic Cats
The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival
Bears
In the Company of Bears: What Black Bears Have Taught Me about Intelligence and Intuition
Grizzly Years: In Search of the American Wilderness
Animal Attacks
Occasionally sensational, but I firmly believe that respect for animals is necessary for survival, and one of the most important aspects of that respect is remembering that wild animals are indeed wild, and more than capable of putting us in our place.
Dangerous Beauty: Encounters With Grizzlies and Bison in Yellowstone
When Man Becomes Prey: Fatal Encounters with North America's Most Feared Predators
[According to experts] (https://www.amazon.ca/American-Serengeti-Animals-Great-Plains/dp/0700622276) wild horses for last million years or so are basically indistinguishable from what we have today....
SECTION | CONTENT
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Title | Joe Rogan Experience #942 - Dan Flores
Description | Dan Flores is a writer and historian who specializes in cultural and environmental studies of the American West. His recent books "Coyote America: A Natural & Supernatural History" and "American Serengeti: The Last Big Animals of the Great Plains" are both available now via Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/American-Serengeti-Animals-Great-Plains/dp/0700622276/ref=pd_sbs_14_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9VRNEM68AF50K4W4WFHJ
Length | 2:24:50
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> If bears are not accustomed to people near where you'll be staying, there is no need to worry about them - unless there are grizzlies.
Yes! This is the advice from Stephen Herrero, a biologist who's studied bears for decades. He says bears are much less likely to be a problem at non-established campsites. Of course, in many national parks, you're required to camp at designated sites.
I disagree with much of this advice. I live and hike in black and grizzly bear country and have never had a bad encounter with a bear. We have to respect them and take precautions, but fear of bears shouldn't keep people out of the woods. They're really not rampaging monsters waiting to attack people.
Forget cans of rocks or ineffective "bear bells". Use your voice to alert bears to your presence. Talk loudly when necessary. "HEY BEAR! COMING THROUGH!" They can recognize a human voice and will usually avoid us. If you're really worried, try to travel in groups of 3 or more.
If you see a bear, stop and stay calm. Don't run. Don't immediately act threatening. Threatening a bear that's defending a carcass or that has young cubs nearby is asking for trouble.
Bears and bear encounters are too complicated for a TLDR. If you want to know how to live and play safely in bear country you have to put some time in learning about bears. They're amazing animals, so in my opinion, it is time well spent.
The best scientific examination of bear encounters is Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance by Dr. Stephen Herrerro, I'd recommend it for anyone living or playing in grizzly country. I read through my copy every spring.
Here's what Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has to say about encountering a bear.
I guess it comes down to perspective, but I love seeing bears (from a safe distance) and I'm thankful for every opportunity I've had to observe these amazing animals.
I bought this book and read it. I feel much better after reading it.
http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Attacks-Causes-Avoidance-revised/dp/158574557X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451582639&sr=1-1&keywords=bear+attacks
Dan Flores
University dumps professor who found polar bears thriving despite climate change This summer Dr. Susan Crockford is a zoologist with more than 35 years experience, including published work on the Holocene history of Arctic animals. This summer she lost her status as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Anthropology Department at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada (UVic), a position she had held for 15 years. This action followed her expulsion from the roster of the university’s volunteer Speakers Bureau in May 2017. Having undergone hip surgery in the interim, only now is she going public about it. However, until April 2017 the university and the Anthropology department proudly promoted her work, including her critical polar bear commentary, which suggests someone with influence (and perhaps political clout) intervened to silence her scientific criticism.
An adjunct professorship is an unpaid position with a few responsibilities that in return allow a scholar to operate as a qualified member of the academic community, such as making applications for research funding. See also:
You can also support Dr. Crockford by buying her books:
Well first, I said he was claiming that running away was safe, I noticed that he advocated standing your ground.
But second, the question is, why not run in this case? The two main reasons bears attack are self defence and because they see something as prey. In a bear encounter, you have to balance your activity so that you appear as neither. If running away doesn't make you view the bear as prey, it sure doesn't make them view you as a threat. So it would seem to be by far the best course of action if it were true.
And third, it's false. Running will cause a bear to chase you, as demonstrated by a good number of incidents. I'll try to remember to edit this to cite a few of them when I get back home to my book, which I would incidentally advise for anyone interested in the subject.
The Sea Runners by Ivan Doig.
The Woman Who Married a Bear by John Straley.
Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance by Stephen Herrero.
Worth a read, just don't freak yourself out. https://www.amazon.com/Bear-Attacks-Causes-Avoidance-revised/dp/158574557X/
Buddy of mine spends a lot of time outdoors, have me this book when I went to Alaska. I feel like it was very comprehensive. https://www.amazon.com/Bear-Attacks-Causes-Avoidance-revised/dp/158574557X
link One of the better sources I've seen on the subject.
If you want the best info on this topic I'd read:
https://www.amazon.ca/Bear-attacks-James-Gary-Shelton/dp/0969809913
https://www.amazon.ca/Bear-attacks-II-Myth-reality/dp/0969809921/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=937R1GYDV5DTAE7FS8AQ
https://www.amazon.ca/encounter-survival-guide-James-Shelton/dp/0969809905/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1492017797&sr=1-1
And
https://www.amazon.ca/Bear-Attacks-Their-Causes-Avoidance/dp/0771040598
Shelton is more pro-gun but both have good info. Most other books are just 150 pages of someone's opinions.
I'm not, I've read several books and academic papers on the history of the American Buffalo. So have a read an correct yourself.
https://fee.org/articles/buffaloed-the-myth-and-reality-of-bison-in-america/
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2079530?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
https://www.amazon.com/American-Buffalo-Search-Lost-Icon/dp/0385521693
https://www.amazon.com/American-Serengeti-Animals-Great-Plains/dp/070062466X
https://www.amazon.com/Destruction-Bison-Environmental-1750-1920-Environment/dp/0521003482
Check out Dan Flores' book American Serengeti!
https://www.amazon.com/American-Serengeti-Animals-Great-Plains/dp/0700622276
Rick Bass wrote a book 20 years or so ago, called The Lost Grizzlies. It was about him and others doing a search in the Weminuche for 'lost' grizzlies. He was kinda dithering and evasive about what he found, though hinting that they found sign of them. It was a rather annoying book, as I recall.
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Grizzlies-Survivors-Wilderness-Colorado/dp/0395857007
See if they have this book. http://www.amazon.ca/Death-Grizzly-Maze-Timothy-Treadwell/dp/0762736771
Plus give them a frying pan.