This is horrible - 22 yr old killed by bear in West Milford

[gwl2oneida]

Unfortunately no one was allowed to carry a legal firearm. A few warning shots would have more than likely been a life saver. Shame on nj lawmakers. As a ny resident I don't consider hiking this time of year without my glock.

[cmoran719]

to be fair this likely would not have happened if the group didn't split up... knowing what to do during an encounter goes a long way

[buzzbaiter]

Bears are not hunters, they are scavengers. This whole story sounds off to me. What five guys you know go for hikes together??? Pretty sure none of you call up your buddies on wednesday and say "hey, lets go hiking this weekend. I'll make sandwiches!"

I got chased about 8-9 years ago in Allamuchy State Park. That bear was on me before I knew it covering a good 300-400 feet in a few seconds. I climbed up a small hill, turned around and it was right there. I threw my pole, yelled/clapped and it stopped and turned away. I climbed up to the road, crossed thru traffic and ran down the shoulder. I then turned around and saw the bear with its paws on the guardrail watching me. That was not fun. Most times they simply turn away or I clap and they run away. This occasion was unusual but left its impact on me as I'm always a bit nervous while out fishing. Being someone who likes to hike miles and miles, I'm often far from safety. My best defense is whistle I carry.

[ScowardNJ]

I'm pretty sure that whole preserve is fenced to limit destruction from deer. I guess the fence wasn't bear proof though.

[acabtp]

Originally Posted by ScowardNJ

I'm pretty sure that whole preserve is fenced to limit destruction from deer. I guess the fence wasn't bear proof though.

i've hiked and fished (including once on the exact same day of year as the attack, yikes!) there several times. there are always trees down across the fences all over the place. plenty of deer in there too, the fence is worthless.

[bunker dunker]

scavengers my asrs.they are hunters,ask any farmer in northern nj.they do not fear man so we become the pray.do you know what an 800lb black bear
eats........anything he wants.

[Suntzu]

I have similiar experiences to buzzbaiter where they didn't run off but initially showed some aggression. Carry pepperspray now. have never had to use it on a bear but have on coyotes which on more than one occasion have followed me while fishing, getting closer each stop and then flanking me. Very unnerving

[baetis]

The four friends didn't hear him yelling and screaming?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Wow how horrible...... Here is an article on what to do inf you encouter a bear http://www.bearsmart.com/becoming-be...ear-encounters
"If you are in a group stay together because you will appear larger and more intimidating"

My closest encounter was in upstate NY in a remote part of the Adirondaks in my teens. I was told before I went to hike to this remote stream that the bear look for fishermen and want their fish...
Just got done fishing and was walking the rail road tracks home. Saw the bear, dropped my stringer of fish, walked away slowly and never looked back.

[ReelErIn]

So sorry to hear this bad news I knew it was just a matter of time. As a vol. with NJ F&W I 've been out a number of times on Bear projects man is no match to fight off such a strong force.