Jogger lives to tell the tale after rare run-in with predatory black bear in southeastern B.C.
BY Herschel Smith
4 years, 6 months ago
Francis Levasseur is happy to be alive and well after being chased and charged by a predacious black bear in the remote community of Hills, B.C., in the West Kootenay’s Slocan Valley.
He was out for a jog on a secluded trail during the Victoria Day long weekend, when he noticed the bear crossing the trail about 100 metres away. Levasseur stopped and, after waiting a while, noticed the bear didn’t seem to be bothered by his presence, so he continued on his way.
But then the bear started approaching him, Levasseur said.
“The bear came back on the trail and then he looked at me and started walking toward me,” Levasseur told CBC’s Bob Keating.
“I’ve had a lot of encounters with bears and I never had that kind of behaviour from a bear.”
Levasseur said at no point did he run toward or away from the bear because he didn’t want the animal to view him as prey, and added that he wasn’t carrying any food.
Levasseur started yelling, making loud noises and waving his hands in the air, even using a large stick, to try to look big.
Then, from 100 metres away, the bear charged at Levasseur.
“I thought well, I have to do something. I’m going to get killed,” he said.
He turned, saw a tree, and instinctively began to climb it.
The bear tried to climb another tree nearby, so Levasseur continued to scream and shook the tree in an attempt to scare it off. It seemed to work — the bear walked away. Fifteen minutes later, Levasseur figured it was safe to come down.
However, the bear came running back, chasing Levasseur up the tree about six metres from the ground.
The bear left and then came back every 10 minutes for two hours.
“It was really, really awful,” Levasseur said. “I thought I would die from the worst kind of death you can possibly have — being ripped apart by a bear. Not fun.”
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According to the Valhalla Wilderness Society, predatory black bear attacks on humans are extremely rare.
“Extremely rare.” Remember that.
So this guy would have had time to grab a weapon. Can I say it, dear reader?
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to carry a large bore handgun while in the bush.
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On May 31, 2020 at 9:59 pm, Ozark Redneck said:
“carry a large bore handgun while in the bush”, EXACTLY, DUH
On June 1, 2020 at 7:07 am, X said:
In Canada, the policy is that if you get attacked by a bear, you get eaten. Sorry! NO carry allowed. if you shoot it and survive you go to prison and will never touch a gun ever again. NO armed self-defense in the home allowed, either.
On June 1, 2020 at 1:12 pm, Fred said:
His mistake was what he did immediately upon seeing the bear. Having no idea if the bear was using the trail, I know he saw the bear cross the trail, that’s not relevant as bears aren’t people but forage along trails assuming to own several hundred meters of territory in all directions as they go. And that assumption on their part is correct.
Also, the bear came into the clear when on the trial, a time of exposure. The guy should have started yelling immediately while backing away to egress the area. Instead he just waits a few minutes. Dumb. Bear exposes self, moments later his territory is invaded. Not good. Not smart on the part of the guy. Clearly he knows nothing about war/hunting/predation.
If had started yelling immediately and the bear turned back from the way it came, then you could conclude that the bear has figured it entered into his territory and decided to skedaddle back the way it came. Keep yelling and wait for it to clear out. If, upon yelling, you don’t see it again or it keeps going, that trail is NOT yours, it’s the bears. It’s a dangerous business to take a trail from a bear. If you have a wife and children don’t try it.
Of course, the bear wasn’t using the trail or crossing the trail, but scavenging or eating a kill in the area as it came back to check on the guy over several hours. yep, first choice, egress.
And you got to love the headline. Implied is that most bears are cuddly and fun, but others are predators, which of course is “VERY RARE.” Bears just want to be friends with tiggers and rabbits and donkeys and they mostly just eat honey. But those very rare predators, well, that’s different.
Of course, large caliber/bore weapons are good.
On June 1, 2020 at 4:50 pm, Tom said:
44 mag with hard cast bear loads. File the front sight off so that when that bear shoves it up your ass it won’t hurt as much.