Bear attacks hiker-Red River Gorge

[peter]

From Fish and Wildlife.
Updated release

More than a dozen wildlife and law enforcement officers are actively searching for a black bear that attacked a hiker Sunday afternoon in the Red River Gorge Geological Area north of Campton, Ky.
A Springfield resident reported that he was attacked by a bear as he hiked with his dog along the trail to Gray’s Arch near the Wolfe-Menifee county line around 2:30 p.m.
Sunday’s incident is the only known bear attack on a person in Kentucky in modern times.
“This is not typical black bear behavior,” said Wildlife Division Director Karen Waldrop of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “We are aggressively trying to locate and trap this bear so that it can be euthanized for the public’s protection.”
Steven Dobey, black bear biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, said foothold snares are being deployed in the backcountry to capture the bear. A culvert trap has also been set up in the Koomer Ridge Campground. Waldrop said wildlife officials are patrolling roads in the area in an attempt to locate the bear.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s policy is to destroy any bear that shows aggressive behavior toward humans, or enters a house in search of food, Waldrop said.
The attack on Scott stopped after a group of four hikers arrived at the scene and rescued him.
The U.S. Forest Service has closed the Red River Gorge northeast of Natural Bridge State Resort Park to recreational use. The closure includes the Clifty Wilderness Area. Road access in the area is limited pending capture of the bear.

[DJD]

Maybe we need to be packing more than water and snacks? Wonder what kind of dog he was walking?

[Tim_T]

Here is the interview with the man who was attacked. He was taking pictures of the bear before it attacked him and the pictures are shown here.

http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/97362284.html

Here is a link to an article I wrote a few months ago about the black bear population in Kentucky. I learend a ton about bears interviewing Steven Dobey, the bear biologist for KDFWR.

http://kentuckyoutdoorsmagazine.com/...k-in-kentucky/

[DJD]

I was reading some of the comments that people left on that site and I'm not in agreement with alot of those folks.
I say if the bear attacked a human it needs to be put down....period. This man was lucky and lived so people get their heart strings tugged on....the poor little bear was folowing it's instincts and will be killed for doing so. Really? Bears instincts are to eat humans? Hmmm

Wonder how many people would feel that way if a little kid was snatched from their family and killed?

My feeling is that the bear has been fed by humans in the past or is sick or old and basically looking for a handout....LOL in other words it's a Wacko Liberal....ok that wasn't necessary but I couldn't help it....

[apb]

Interesting article Tim.

....the poor little bear was folowing it's instincts and will be killed for doing so. Really? Bears instincts are to eat humans? Hmmm....

Black bears are not carnavoirs. They eat mostly berries and fruits, not meat. The bear's instincts are self-preservation. Get too close and it might just figure out what else its claws/teeth can do. They do not naturally attack people without provication.

Andrew

[mhall]

Interesting article Tim.



Black bears are not carnavoirs. They eat mostly berries and fruits, not meat. The bear's instincts are self-preservation. Get too close and it might just figure out what else its claws/teeth can do. They do not naturally attack people without provication.

Andrew

Black bears are oppurtunity feeders and are indeed carnavoirs. They do prefer certain food sources but feed on lots of dead animals. In many parts of the country deer carcasses are the main staple diet of Black bears.

I don't like it but when a beart attacks a human it must be put down. Once they have overcame that fear of human attack it will happen again. Almost all bear experts agree on this nation wide.

[riverrat12]

Hey Mark have you heard they have spotted bear up in Henry Co.???? Got that from a neighbor and since I'm allmost on the line just wondering.. Chuck

[mhall]

Hey Mark have you heard they have spotted bear up in Henry Co.???? Got that from a neighbor and since I'm allmost on the line just wondering.. Chuck

Chuck I have seen a picture of a black bear in Trimble county, Later it was sighted and confirmed by a Conservation officer there as well. I heard they trapped it though and relocated it as it was becoming a nuisance.

Long story short to your question, quite possible my friend, I wouldn't doubt it for a minute as they are expanding their territory bigtime.

[DJD]

My buddy lives on Clark county and has a few acres of land. He has seen them on his property a few years ago prolly just a matter of time before we find them in Fayette County.

[RoadToad]

Most of what black bears eat is vegetation, that's true, but it is a myth that that they don't attack humans. Black bear attacks are rare, but of those that have occurred, the majority are believed to have been unprovoked, predatory attacks.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/291311

[peter]

Lexington Herald article

http://www.kentucky.com/2010/06/29/1...ar-attack.html

[walkeraviator]

This is why I pack heat when i hike..