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

[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.

[UglyStick]

I hate reading these stories - such a tragedy... I've had too many encounters to count since I see bears on my property almost daily in the summer (my property borders a section of the Sparta Mountain WMA). 99% of the time, they are more scared of you than you are of them but I hope I never come across that 1 bear that isn't the norm.

My scariest encounter... I was in my driveway, down on 1 knee grinding paint off a section of an open car trailer I was restoring. I shut the grinder off and hear breathing in my ear. I turn my head and a 400-500 pound adult bear is leaning over my right should checking out what I'm doing (it sounds strange but you could tell he was just curious). As soon as I see his head about 6 inches from mine, I shout out and jump as one does when startled. This causes the bear to jump back a few feet (out of being startled from my reaction). So there we are, me still down on 1 knee about 4 feet apart from the bear and him just looking at me. We stay this way for about 10 seconds and then I clap and say in a raised voice, "get outta her... go..." and he slowly turns and walks away.

That day could have ended much differently... Be careful folks and read what Gerry posted... remember, these are wild animals...