Rubicon Springs "bear"

[JAKE]

WE JUST RETURNED FROM THE SPRINGS THIS WEEKEND, AND IN THE 6 YEARS OF GOING TO THE RUBICON, I HAVE NEVER HAD A CLOSE CALL WITH A BEAR. FRIDAY NIGHT THE GROUP WENT UP TO BIG SLUICE TO DO SOME WHEELING AND OPON OUR RETURN, A BEAR HAD EATEN ALL OF OUR COLD AND DRY FOODS.

SHE GOT EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE EGGS! WE TALKED TO DIFFERENT CAMPERS AND SHE HAD RAIDED 6 CAMPS THAT NIGHT AND HAD DONE THE SAME THE NIGHT BEFORE, LEAVING MOST GROUPS TO GO HOME. WE HAD 4 PEOPLE AT CAMP SLEEPING WHEN SHE CAME IN, AND SHE EVEN PULLED OUT A ICE CHEST FROM ONE OF THE JEEPS.

WHAT SUPRISED ME WAS THE WAY SHE OPENED EACH ICE CHEST AND BOX, NONE OF THE ICE CHEST OR TUPAWARE CONTAINERS WERE RIPPED OPEN OR KNOCKED OVER. SHE OPENED EACH THING CARFULLY. SHE EVEN CARFULLY REMOVED THE ALUMINUM SEAL TABS FROM THE BUTTER, SOUR CREAM, AND YOGURT BEFORE EATING. SHE'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR SOME TIME!

ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT AROUND 12:30 AM PART OF THE GROUP WAS SLEEPING, PART WHEELING AND CHRIS AND I WERE TALKING AT OUR CAMP FIRE. WE HEARD SOME THING A LITTLE OF CAMP AND LOOKED WITH THE FLASH LIGHT, WE DID'NT SEE ANYTHING. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE STARTED SMACKING AROUND SOMEONES COOLER THAT WAS RATCHET STRAPED SHUT. CURTIS WAS WAKEN AND WE ALL BEGAN HOLORING AT THE BEAR TO LEAVE, ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE CAME AT CHRIS AND I. SHE CAME WITHIN 15 FT OF US AND THE TURNED AND WENT AWAY. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT SCARED THE S*** OUT OF US. FOR THE NEXT HOUR SHE STAYED AROUND CAMP, EVEN WITH US BEATING POTS AND PANS TOGETHER, SHE STAYED JUST OUTSIDE CAMP!

THE NEXT MORNING WE WERE DISCUSSING THE BEAR, WHEN CURTIS SAID WHAT HE SAW WAS A LITTLE BEAR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ONE OF THE JEEPS, THERE WAS NO MISTAKING THE BEAR WE SAW, HUGE AND BLACK. SO I GUESS WHAT WE SAY WAS A MOTHER AND A CUB RAVIGING CAMPS.

SHE AGAIN RAIDED A FEW PEOPLES CAMP THAT NIGHT AND ISNT GOING TO STOP. WE TALKED TO THE SPRINGS CAMP GROUND HOST AND HE SAID SHE HAS BEEN THERE FOR WEEKS AND USUALLY HITS EVERY 3 OR SO DAYS.

THE POINT IS THAT THIS BEAR IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE SPRINGS WEEKS AGO. WHEN A BEAR COMES INTO CAMP AND DOESNT CARE WHAT YOU DO OR WHOS THERE, SOMEONE EVENTUALLY IS GOING TO GET HURT OR SOMEONES GOING TO SHOOT THE BEAR.

HAVING TO PAY $10.00 PER CAR (WE HAD 12) AND THEN LOOSING $200.00 IN FOOD WAS NOT THE TRIP WE HAD IN MIND. I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO BE AWARE OF THE BEAR AND PLEASE MAKE SHURE YOU LOCK UP YOUR FOOD AND PLEASE DONT LEAVE TRASH BEHIND.

[jdjanda]

Bears in the Springs, Buck, and LS are nothing new. We got hit last year at LS, our fault for not cleaning up. It is rumored that a few bears have been relocated from Yosemite (thus much more educated on the opening of coolers). You have stored the food in a manner to make it difficult for the bear. I use Cayan (SP?) pepper around the coolers, food storage, and rig to make it difficult for the bear to smell food.

Bottom line, we are in their home we need to act like it. Yes aggressive bears need to be dealt with, but any bear will be aggressive when a cub is involved.

[nasvik]

Jake,

Just curious if you're part of the group I was telling the story of the bears from earlier in the week to? Spent the night in the Springs on Wednesday and spent much time with the black one. Stuck around even when I lit the fire... One large group in particular told me on Friday (they were on their way into the Springs) that they thought I was making it up.

Paul

[bob91yj]

I was camped with Paul. That bear came into our camp 3 times that night, wasn't scared of $h!t either. It came straight at my tent after ransacking a buddies coolers/food boxes, it came less than 6" from my face. Heard and saw it's breath against the tent fabric as it sniffed around. Dug my coolers out from under my Jeep and ate all our grub, no problem.

In all, our camp lost a couple loaves of bread, hamburger meat, 2 lb's of bacon, sausage, lunchmeat, wedge of Gouda cheese, bag of peanuts, and MY fawkin OREO's, washed it all down with a couple of fruit cups and an orange Mt Dew.

Call BS if you want, fawker is there, it's big (4ft at shoulder), and I hope to hell it has indegestion. Want a good close look at it. leave your cooler in front of your tent.

PS I'm not a gun owner, pretty neutral on the subject. We packed a .357 last trip on the 'con, if we had had it this time, I truly believe I would have shot that bear when it came straight at our tent

[Old Fart]

Bob,

Unless you're cool enough under pressure to dump a whole cylinder of solids (jacketed hollow points are a waste of good noise on Mr. Bruin), have that .357 "dehorned" by a good gunsmith (where they remove all the sharp corners and edges). That way it won't feel so bad when Mr. Really Pissed Off Bear shoves said .357 into your anal cavity.

Point being - not enough gun to be effective.



McJeff

[randii]

Suggestions:
1.) File a complaint with the forest service... at least call them directly to let them know that there is a problem. Second-hand news travels faster, but it has way more impact from a witness, especially if several folks tell the same story. I doubt anything will change after contacting the USFS, but if any change *were* to occur, that would be the likeliest route.
2.) Search on 'bear' and 'gun' here.... you'll pull up a buncha threads, some even on the topic. Most informed folks understand how tough bears are and how angry they'll be when provoked or shot. Consider the backdrop behind the bear, as well -- Rubicon is a crowded place these days and bullets ricochet nicely off granite.
3.) Your best bet is preventing the bear's visit in the first place. When they are there, you might want to make noise and try to scare them out of camp, but you don't want to get too close....

My tack: as many users as there are on the Rubicon, it isn't hard to make my camp less attractive than other folks. I keep my grub in a coupla redundant places just in case, and generally keep cooking to a minimum. Trash goes in a sealed bag, and I keep a pretty clean camp. Just about anywhere I camp, someone is eating way better than me -- I can smell it! So can the bears...

Randii

[bob91yj]

I have to figure that I would have stood a better chance with the .357 than I would have with my 3-D Mag Light if it had tried coming into the tent.

A friend recommended one of those canned air boat horns, I'll have one of those next time. Yelling had little effect.

Bear boxes at the more popular campsites at RS would go a long way towards reducing the problem, at minimal expense.

[Old Fart]

I'd suggest putting a round into the dirt in front of him, dust his nose good - might scare him off, might not. If it doesn't - well, you're left with 5 rounds (or 6 if you have one of the yuppified 7 shot S&W's). Still isn't going to drop him (remember - does no good to kill him two hours later if you and yours are spoon size shredded meat), but at least you went out firing

[JAKE]

THATS EXACTLY MY POINT. WE KEEP A CLEAN CAMP, HAD OUR FOOD IN THE VEHICLES, AND WHEN SHE CAME IN, SHE DID'NT GIVE A DAM IF WE HAD A FIRE, WERE MAKING NOISE OR SCREAMING AT HER. IT JUST SEEMED TO PISS HER OFF OR MAKE HER STAND HER GUARD FOR HER CUB, BUT SHE RAN EVEN CLOSER AT A FASTER PACE.

SHE IS JUST TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT. THE USFS NEEDS TO REMOVE THAT BEAR AND HER CUB IMEDIATLY BEFORE SHE ATTACKS SOMEONE. THE GENERAL RUBICON POPULATION WHO DONT KNOW ANY BETTER WILL SHOOT THE BEAR ONLY TO EITHER KILL IT, OR REALLY PISS IT OFF SO YOUR ITS NEXT MEAL.

EITHER WAY, WERE EITHER GOING TO HAVE A DEAD CAMPER, OR A DEAD BEAR WITH A MOTHERLESS BABBY CUB SCAVAGING CAMPS THAT DOES'NT KNOW ANY BETTER.

YOUR ALSO RIGHT ABOUT THE FOREST SERVICE, ITS GOING TO TAKE A DEATH TO MAKE THEM DO SOMETHING.

HOPEFULLY WITH ALL THE PEOPLE ON THE PBB SOMEONE HERE WILL HAVE A CONNECTION TO THE USFS AND THEY WILL WORK ON TRAPING THEM FOR RELOCATION.

[MBA]

Take a dog with you, Bear's hate dogs, i had a bear in my camp and when i came back with my shepard he saw the bear, and let me tell you the dog treed that bear. the funniest thing i ever saw.
this was at shasta lake a few years ago, well alright 25 years ago. That was a grate Dog

[Rubicrawler]

The last 2 times we had bears visit our camp of the 'Con we had dogs and they didn't help one bit. The bears weren't concerned one bit. In one case last year, the dog slept through the whole event and in another case 2 years ago, the bear went after the dog Luckily, the dog was smart, turned tail and lived to fight another day This last dog was a large Akita mix that I would say could hold his own against any dog but not a 400# momma bear

[MBA]

i must have had the right bear that time or one dumb A@$ dog, but he shure chased that bear away.

[CJ]

We were across the river from you in the Dirty Dozen camp ground.

Bear had stayed out of camp friday night but Saturday night it ate cookies out of one Jeep took a cooler out of a Crusier, hit a cooler that was left out and put two puncture marks in a cooler that was strapped under a log.

You are correct this bear is crafty it unzipped a soft cooler and then opened the zip lock bags.

If it is the same bear which I am sure it is, has been hanging around the Springs for years, it stuck it's Cheeto's covered head in a tent 5 years ago. And there were dogs in the camp.

This is a problem that is not going to go away even as this bear is becoming a problem bear, which will eventuly be destroyed.
Garbage laws are tuffer in Tahoe and the Bears just move to easier pickens.
We need to be more responsible and take precautions to keep the Bears from getting used to a easy meal.

[CragRat]

The only way ...

[JoshC]

Originally posted by MBA
i must have had the right bear that time or one dumb A@$ dog, but he shure chased that bear away.

I think Mark (RubiCrawler) hit the nail on the head when he saie "Momma Bear" . I read mention of a cub. All bets are off if we are talking a Momma and Cub.

I bet it was the same two that took a B-day cake and fruit cups from our camp at Spider last year!

[Big Rich]

Originally posted by CragRat
The only way ...

great picture!!!!!

What no Boy Scouts here

Every time I've been on the Con, Esp at RS, we have hung our food. If I remember there are lots of trees (not made it this year)
rope and burlap bags are cheap. large Ice chests for beer, a smaller colapseable bag type works for food items and hangs well. Sorry Jake, But your $10.00 does not go to bear chasing

Rich

[BobWilliams]

if your worried about the bear in camp and your afraid or dont want to shoot it carry a can of bear spray its the same as mace but the bear spray shoots a hell of a lot farther so you dont have to be close to the thing and I gauranty it will leave plus it wont hurt the bear. but it will remember

[paydirt]

If you're camping at Rubicon Springs, just move the coolers into one of the outhouses for the night.
A) they have a hard time opening the door &
B) the crap and chemical smell overpowers the smell of your food.

I was there last year late in the season and there were bear prints everywhere (large ones). We hung some of our food, and then just put the coolers in the outhouse. Everything was fine.

I went in june this year and left everything out. No bears.
(of course I kept a clean camp).

[twn44s]

Originally posted by paydirt
If you're camping at Rubicon Springs, just move the coolers into one of the outhouses for the night.
A) they have a hard time opening the door &
B) the crap and chemical smell overpowers the smell of your food.

A) Are you kidding me 3/8" & 1/4" Plywood are going to keep Bears out

B) The crap and chemical smell will not work either.

you guys where just lucky and none where around for the weekend.

Hanging your food works best if you hang it right, Keeping the campsite clean works too,putting your tent away from the cook area and not having any grub at all around tents helps out, The boat horns that you can pick up at Wal-Mart works good too. Do not plan on shooting it, there are other people that camp in the area, Get the Bear pepper spray for up close.

[Bronchole]

Has anyone actually used the bear pepper spray? It sounds like a good idea to me.

My only other options is a 9mm which I'm sure will just piss him off or a fairly un-relyable Desert Eagle 44 mag.

We keep a clean camp, but I just want to be prepaired, and I'd prefer to just deter that big dog that kill it for doing what it has been trained to do.

[BobWilliams]

the bear spray does work and it will leave such a shitty taste in its mouth it wont want to eat for a week. the bear will associate a shitty taste in its mouth and burning eyes every time it sees a camp.

[Jeepndel]

I started a new thread about what to do about bears and how to be prepared.
Del

[scrout]

I concur, .357 Mag mucho better than 3-D Mag in said circumstance.

Originally posted by bob91yj
I have to figure that I would have stood a better chance with the .357 than I would have with my 3-D Mag Light if it had tried coming into the tent.

[chartdog]

I'm sorry but this whole gun vs. bear thing is just stupid. Unless it is a large cal rifle or a 12 guage slug, it will not stop a bear. Even then you have to place the shot well and few of us can do that, at night, under stress, and probably beer impaired as well.

I don't want to sleep anywhere near you if you are there in your tent thinking a handgun is a good idea in this situation. Follow the good suggestions offered here about sanitation and food storage and you will have nothing to worry about.

BTW, I am not anti gun and not a bleeding heart about the bear. I just don't want to get shot by some fool thinking he is "Joe bear hunter" or worse, get torn up by a bear that is wigging after getting shot by a handgun.

[Disco]

Originally posted by chartdog
I'm sorry but this whole gun vs. bear thing is just stupid. Unless it is a large cal rifle or a 12 guage slug, it will not stop a bear. Even then you have to place the shot well and few of us can do that, at night, under stress, and probably beer impaired as well.

I don't want to sleep anywhere near you if you are there in your tent thinking a handgun is a good idea in this situation. Follow the good suggestions offered here about sanitation and food storage and you will have nothing to worry about.

BTW, I am not anti gun and not a bleeding heart about the bear. I just don't want to get shot by some fool thinking he is "Joe bear hunter" or worse, get torn up by a bear that is wigging after getting shot by a handgun.

I agree, if you are going to the Springs this year be prepared for your camp to be raided. If you don't like it,... don't go!!! Simple as that. With that being said, do everything you can to make your camp less appealing to bears.
1.) Clean your camp before you pass-out.
2.) Hang your food or lock it up as well as possible(ie: cab of a toyota pick-up or somethingwith a hard-top and doors)
3.) Please don't keep anything in your tent/sleeping area that even resembles food. I have heard of bears breaking into cars for tooth paste so make sure you are well away from any thing you think a bear might like.
4.) Go to Walmart and get a airhorn for about $10. The noise will scare a bear away(Probably).

Please don't shoot these bears, they are just trying to survive in THEIR natural habitat. Remember, you are the visitors!!!!!!

BTW: If you have a problem, just call for Maniac(Bear Wrestler)!!!!!!!!!!!!!