Alachua, Florida
Speaking of Bears in Gator Country
Now that summer is around the corner, people already have plans for doing some serious summer camping. At an evening program at the home of Nandini Kishori, there was a sizeable gathering of especially young boys and girls, all of bhakti yoga parents. I was asked to share stories about my adventurous walks; the most intriguing one was about the grizzly encounter. There was also the time when a brahmachari and I met up with a black bear, whom, we were not aware, had her cubs nearby. She was munching on wild strawberries and I guess you could say we happened to be there at the time of her breakfast. We were imposing on her leisure-time and she let us know about it. She got up on her hind legs looking tall, then she lunged forward on what is called a "bluff charge." We casually and respectfully moved out of her way and went down the trail.
The things that I learned from park authorities on the subject and personal experience with bears are as follows: 1) when you encounter a bear respect it and go backwards in a slow retreat 2) avoid looking at it in the eye 3) never run away as you are inviting the bear to charge 4) to fight off a black bear, strike it in the nose 5) play dead with a grizzly, head down with your hands to the back of your neck 6) carry bear spray and you may avoid #5 7) when walking through bear country make noise, let them know you're coming—or as I do, chant mantras audibly to warn them.
Those are some tips for those planning a wilderness trip of some kind.
May the Source be with you!
2 km
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