2 min may have saved my life

I was doing some testing on mine tailings in the wilderness off monitor pass towards markleeville.  i came across an old collapsed cabin with some tailings below.  i took some samples of the tailings but not too much.  its hard to carry 50lb buckets up a steep hill at 8000 ft.  I got the samples to the truck and then drove maybe 50 yds around the corner and took some samples from some crevices.  I took these to the carson river and worked them to see a lil gold.  i decided to go get some more so i went back to the cabin took only some buckets and a shovel and walked down the hill to the tailings.  i loaded my buckets and made the hike 20 ft at a time back to the truck.  i put the buckets in the back and drove no more than 20 ft around the corner heading to the crevice spot to get some more samples.  to my shock and his just as i turned the corner i encountered a bear cub prob 200 lbs walking on the road towards me.  i startled it and it did an about face and ran off the road.  just as that happened sure as heck the mother bear was near and didnt like her cub bearing startled.  she jumped up on the road facing my truck standing tall with arms hanging by her side and sniffing at the air. it all happened so quick i just stared before i took a assessment of my situation.  i was on a one lane dirt road facing a bear that was taller than my truck and the shotgun wasnt loaded and still in its carrying case.  just as i reached back to unzip the case the bear  went down to all fours and started grunting and running towards the front of my truck.  All i could do was put truck in reverse and try not driving off the loose shale edges.  i honked the horn repeatedly as i drove backwards as i reached to pull the shotgun out.  luckily the bear only chased me to the corner near the old miners shack before stopping and turning around.  i wasnt sure how much the shotgun wouldve even helped other than making noise because after looking at the size of this bear i guess 1100lbs i felt like the shotgun would be no more than throwing sand into this massive animal so im glad i didnt need to try.  2 min saved my life because within 2 min if i hadnt of reached my truck they would have been between me  and my truck with the shotgun inside and ive heard enough about how agressive bears are with their cubs.  so good luck and be prepared for the unexpected

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,8037.msg50369.html#msg50369

I guess god was on your side on that one.We are lucky here in the uk no bears.

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,8037.msg50372.html#msg50372

You were lucky that you were at least in the truck encountering the bears. Bet next time you're sampling tailings, you'll be lookin' over your shoulder. Sue

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,8037.msg50378.html#msg50378

Might I suggest a slug barrel for your shot gun.

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,8037.msg50381.html#msg50381

Sounds likes a scary encounter. I hope you have studied up on how to react when In such a situation. I would definitely carry some bear pepper spray with you or a high powered revolver. Although lots of states wont let you have the gun I've heard the spray can help out the average guy more so than the blast of a gun (depends on how good of a shot you are under pressure). Definitely tie some bells to your belt so the bears will hear you coming and run off before you even see them. Be safe and Happy Hunting!

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,8037.msg50419.html#msg50419