He'll take a 48" neck on his shirt.... Big Daddy Griz

[havocmom]

http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2007/06/19/state/hjjcjdiajjfbji.txt

GREAT FALLS (AP) — State bear managers seeking to capture and collar female grizzly bears as part of a population count recently trapped a 7 foot, 6 inch male grizzly that weighed 750 pounds after a winter of hibernation.

Mike Madel, bear management specialist with the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, said it took two scales and a hydraulic crane to weigh the 8-year-old bruin that had 3½-inch claws and a neck circumference of 4 feet.

<snip>

Madel said he didn’t know the big bear even existed.

‘‘Here’s a bear that’s down on the Front, and he’s accustomed to moving in and around human activity, and he’s never caused a conflict before,’’ Madel said.

Griz in the area generally come in around a 600 pound average for males and 300-325 for the females. Coming in at 750 just out of hibernation is a WHOPPER!

If you happen out to planning a trip to Glacier Park, Yellowstone, or other Montana areas where these magnificent animals dwell, keep two things in mind:

1) You do NOT want to surprise a bear. Make noise in the woods so they know you are about and they will usually move away. Keep kids and any dogs under control and ALWAYS in sight. Make a little noise. Bells on shoe laces and dog collars is a good thing to consider. LEASH the dog; NO EXCEPTIONS!

2) IF you do surprise one, be advised, they can move VERY fast. In a sprint, I would put my money on the bear. Really. Do NOT underestimate their potential for speed. They generally lumber, but they can put on a burst that would amaze you! Unless you are as fast as Street Sense, you don't stand a chance in the race. Hell, if the race is short, Street Sense might not pull a win. ;)

People are moving out into the areas where the bears live. The bears seem to be doin OK with that (for now- but I wouldn't want to see too much more building out that way) so long as the people just use some common sense and realize they have some rather LARGE, if somewhat quiet, neighbors who expect a certain respect.

I recall one Halloween, many years ago, when trick-or-treating was canceled in the village where my brother lived. Seems some new people in the area had taken to jogging near the denning area a sow with cubs had staked out for the winter nap coming up on her schedule.

Jogger in her 'hood finally pissed the sow off enough that she started coming into the village to give the humans a taste of the trespassing SHE was having to endure. She did rip the doors off a couple of homes to make her point. The locals convinced the headstrong jogger to revise his route and the bear shrugged the episode off.

Halloween went off without a hitch the next fall and no bears (or people) were actually injured in the whole adventure. But, respect is a two way street. Bears seem to understand that. But don't push their basic live & let live philosophy to any test ;)

Enjoy the short article, Lounge Lizards, and have a bear-y good day!

[commander bunnypants]

1. Thats a big bruin.

We are having more and more sightings of black bears in my CITY.

Its our fault though.

CB

have the bees shown up?

[havocmom]

2. About 25-30% of the bees are around

Makes me VERY nervous

How's all your boo-boos from the stair trick?

[commander bunnypants]

3. just sore in the am

want a white cat.

CB

[havocmom]

4. I'll keep a look out for such a critter.

Want a white, gray one with some orange patches? She is only evil part of the time. :D

[havocmom]

5. Kick for the night shift

Booga booga! There are bears! :D