Bear Boarding Boats in the North Channel

[wcapital]

And we thought some of the less ethical "boat boys" and various misguided youths in some of the Eastern Caribbean islands were annoying!

[ArmyDaveNY]

Whatever you do don't do this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZH0T8v0eD0

[wcapital]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

Most people wait a long time for the opportunity to see a bear. You should feel rewarded by the chance to commune with nature.

Not in Breckenridge...where they've broken into storerooms to get at the camping supplies, taken down bird feeders from high tree branches, and taken out the trash to have a meal right outside the kitchen door!

[john61ct]

I used to camp with an Alaskan guy, huge scars from multiple grizzly attacks, lived in a town where no one goes outside, day or night, without an appropriate loaded weapon.

[Dave_S]

Has anyone taken the time to read this.............. ��

Originally Posted by Suijin

Attachment 176392

There have been a few croc's attacking boats here, I think it comes from the tour operators feeding them from boats. We should be encouraged to spray them or use something like bear bangers. We aren't allowed to buy anything like this here because our officials are soft and squishy, preferring unicorns and rainbows to actual effective measures.

[Jim Cate]

Hmmm... where are all those folks who were telling... was it Scarlet?... a cruiser heading in that direction not to worry about bears? This in a longish thread not long ago...

At least this bear does not seem to be cranky!

Jim

[a64pilot]

I’d like to think if one was trying to board the boat, I’d think of a fire extinguisher, but if it did get aboard, leaving the boat would likely be prudent.
I assume this bear is a Black bear?

[JPA Cate]

My suggestion is for everyone around there to keep the bear spray handy, and use it when Mr. Bruin comes to the boat, before he starts up the side or stern. You want him to have disagreeable experiences to learn to stay away from boats.

However, if they are starving, due to the drought, it may be best to avoid this area, and keep your food smells far away.

I'd like to thank the OP for this thread. Do not let your pity for the hungry bear lead you into danger. The bear doesn't know he's destroying your boat; he's just looking for food, AND avoiding him is the easiest way to handle it; bear spray may not be adequate if he's hungry enough.

Ann

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I’d like to think if one was trying to board the boat, I’d think of a fire extinguisher, but if it did get aboard, leaving the boat would likely be prudent.
I assume this bear is a Black bear?

Yes. They can be like large naughty dogs. Nothing like Grizzlies

This is not the norm in the North channel. This is a fantastic destination. Many spend all summer there.

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

Has anyone taken the time to read this.............. ��

It’s a joke. Read the last paragraph.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Suijin

It’s a joke. Read the last paragraph.

Of course it’s a joke.

However I had a Park Ranger at Glacier National Park tell me a story about bear spray.
He swore that a Japanese Lady lined her little children up and sprayed them, thinking that bear spray was like mosquito spray.
That’s not meant to be funny as it would be Hell on a small child, but if you think just for a second it makes sense. A language thing I guess, and likely it does even state on the can that it is repellent spray.

[Alex_V]

Originally Posted by jmorrison146

12-ga slug.

Beats a flash light and a horn. 12-ga would be my solution to the problem.

[Lihuedooley77]

bears are bad news. Powerful animal bad news.

And if a boatload of donkeys did feed the bear, that is a major problem. And eventually will get humans killed, or the animal tracked and killed or both.


What would we do.

If a bear was boarding or attempting to board , I would use the same aggressive attack that I used in mexico with a pirate trying to board our vessel.

Light him up with a flare gun and have extra rounds handy. This will not kill the bear but it certainly will deter him from his free range devouring of anything on our vessel. Including Erica or myself.

I have had my fair share of physical confrontations, but fighting a bear is flat dumb.

If you want to feed wild animals, go to to the zoo and buy some peanuts to throw at them. Jerks.

The other solution is to avoid bears. Sail the BVI, The caribbean, hawaii, Tahiti, Tonga, ireland, Greece. Etc. etc.

If we were aware of a bear problem, we would elect to go to a different anchorage. Simple logic that keeps on keeping on.

Do not knowingly put yourself , your boat or your family into extremus.

And, what are the renowned mounties doing. When I was a kid,
Sgt. Preston and Yukon King ( his huskey ) would have taken care of the problem in short order.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Lihuedooley77

I have had my fair share of physical confrontations, but fighting a bear is flat dumb.

I have heard credible reports with multiple witnesses of bears being deterred by fisticuffs.


It is something to keep in mind if escape is not possible.

[sailorboy1]

I think that when the pirate bear comes onto your boat you should let it have your stuff and get out of it’s way. Save your brave “Big man” talk for the bar later.