> but the assertion by the scientist, that there has never been a documented attack of a mother black bear in defense of cubs is something you don't accept.....is not a rejection?
All I know is what the ranger told me at McClure Meadow (in 2008, I believe). He had seen a few people pretty badly hurt by bear attacks, and the one I recall was of the cub. Maybe George could help me on this one. ...edit: thinking about it, a ranger's verbal tale is not documentation, so I guess the researcher is technically correct.
I am thinking there is some disconnect between this researchers statements and those of the Sierra ranger. Is the researcher talking about all black bears, or is there some species difference between his research subjects and the Sierra version? ...I just don't know.
> in spite of this lack of rejection (?), and feeling that hikers in the Sierra are at greater risk, you feel that hikers should NOT carry bear spray, which has repeatedly been documented to work to repel bears.....huh?
The correct way to repel bears is to make sure all food is properly secured. If the food is safely stored in a canister, the bears will not bother it. And the bears are not going to attack the people. Carry and use a canister, not bear spray.
