With Handguns Allowed in National Parks, Why are we still having deaths from bears?

A

Alaska444

Moderator
For the second time this summer, a man died from the brutal attack of a grizzly bear in Yellowstone national park. This man did not have bear pepper spray or a firearm, both allowed for personal protection in this park. Yet, since allowing firearms in national parks we have had at least one successful bear defense in Alaska's Denali park:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2010/06/grizzly-bear-shot-killed-denali.html

I would hope we don't hear of any further deaths that could have been prevented simply by carrying the right firearm or pepper spray.
 
It's a handgun, not a force field. People carry handguns all kinds of places and still manage to get themselves killed by other people. Handguns are great but they are useless without situational awareness and good training.
 
People think that if you just leave the bears alone they wont bother you. They may even be right MOST of the time, and too many people are willing to bet their lives on it. I dont trust any wild animals, they all bite. :eek:
 
It may be legal to carry, but not everyone that goes to Yellowstone may be gun enthusiasts, or just don't see the need to take one.
 
Seems like the common sense of Alaska prevailed in the Denali situation, but there is much less common sense even in the wild west of WY. Sadly, too many people are failing to understand that the bear population is increasing and it also appears that their behavior is changing as well with so many tree huggers telling them "I love you."

Talk about unrequited love!!
 
Great Chat

I LOVE this! Unprepared Ignorance=death. Some people just don't think about it. Never been threatened before, so why worry now! This is what most anti-gun carriers say right before they are robbed or car jacked and they have no self defense! I refuse to be a victim! Awareness=Safety
 
I wouldn't want to be in a altercation with a Grizzly Bear no matter what handgun I had!

My defense would be the Bear's loss of traction in my poo trail!:p
 
Since I live relatively near YNP I have been there a few times. Every time I go I encounter mass numbers of people who have no Idea that the animals there can and will kill you in the blink of an eye.

I have personally witnessed people stand and even close in to take pictures of a young griz cub (at least two seasons old) that came running out of some trees and bushes like something was chasing him. They thought he was so cute. They had no idea of the danger they were in. They did not realize that what ever it was that might be chasing the young griz could come through the trees at any moment as well. It could have been any thing from his own mom to a mature male, or even a swarm of bugs that made the bear run like that. Either way I loaded my car and we made tracks.

I also worked in the regional trauma center that received the majority of patients from YNP and I can tell you that buffalo cause a lot of damage and do so quite regularly. I would say that the buffalo is the most dangerous animal in the park with moose following in a close second. We have just had an unusually high number of bear encounters this year.
 
could have been prevented simply by carrying the right firearm or pepper spray.
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Except it can't be prevented "Simply by carrying a firearm". Without training and the will to use it, the gun is just going to give the bear a stomach-ache when he eats it along with you.

So some reasons people still get killed:

1. Not everyone decides to carry. Though they should.
2. Sometimes the bears just win regardless whether you carry or not.
 
Your average person going to Yellowstone is not going to be bringing a gun, nor are they going to even think that they need to bring a gun. For most people, it's like going to the Grand Canyon or Mammoth Cave. When they get there they read the obligatory stuff about bears and they still foolishly feel safe - assuming that if it wasn't safe the government or someone would prevent them from going there, or that they'll be protected.

And then they get mauled and / or mauled to death.

For your average person - if they actually come to the conclusion that a situation is so dangerous that it necesitates bringing a firearm - they will come to the conclusion that it's too dangerous to go there, period. They'll go see the Eiffel Tower instead or something.

Do the bear attacks really have anything to do with tree huggers?

And have the bears been mugging people?
 
If they are o.c. it's obvious..if concealed..perhaps printing..sounds like they are dealing with "a smarter than average bear!
 
Alaska444:
Are rifles allowed in national parks as well, or only handguns?
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If I'm not mistaken the firearm laws for whatever state the park is in apply within the park as well. For example: if you're allowed to carry a rifle in Wyoming, then you would be allowed to carry one in Yellowstone National Park. But I believe federal buildings (ranger stations and such) are off limits for all firearms.

Just be careful in parks that cross state borders.
 
People have been killed by bears in national parks, national wilderness areas, in national forests and on other public land for a long time. Grizzly bear hunters get killed by bears.

Bears are becoming unafraid of humans because humans feed the bears, get between mother bears and their cubs, leave food out for the bears and do other dumb stuff around bears.
 
1. Most people do not even consider the danger. The NPS should really highlight the threat and at least reinforce the carrying of bear spray.

2. Do you think the majority of the non shooting public could effectively use a handgun which has a reasonable chance against a grizzly?
 
I'd say that the vast majority of people going into public parks are NOT carrying handguns and have no desire to do so.

Just because handguns are allowed doesn't mean that they're mandatory.
 
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