This is why you carry a gun in Alaska.
Unfortunately, this man is from California, so firearms are like alien technology to him!
[Warning: Language, Bears]
Cowboy State Daily reports:
California resident Ryan Lutes believes he had a predatory encounter with a female brown bear in Sitka, Alaska, during the first week of June.
He told Cowboy State Daily that he credits confidence and bold action for coming out of the encounter unscathed.
Lutes had just walked briefly off the trail to "take a leak," as he put it, when he "heard the unmistakable crunching of leaves that I knew could come only from the weight of a bear or human."
The bear "almost immediately locked eyes with him," and then things got real:
βThe second she made eye contact with me, I knew I had to plant my [expletive],' standing firm and not appearing weak, he said.
And he started taking video with his cellphone.
Lutes said he and the bear went through an intense back-and-forth for at least several minutes.
More footage:
[Warning: Language Again]
That bear wanted to get really close, like a human when they inspect their snack pantry:
You got to love how big-primal Mr. Lutes got in front of this bear:
Who's the alpha? Who's the [expletive] alpha?! I am! I'm the [expletive] alpha! ... I'm the alpha! Yes sir!
When a bear wants to make you a quick snack, you have to puff your chest up like that. Right move. It may very well have been what saved his life.
(You can also use a one-thousand-year-old technology known as a "boomstick.")
Wildlife filmmaker Casey Anderson told Cowboy State Daily that the footage shows a bear with "focused" body language, indicating that the animal "[had] some choices to make:"
βThe bear's body language suggests, "I want to get a closer look at this (human). Because this might be an opportunity." And that gives me the creeps.'
Anderson said those who may have a chance encounter with bears should be prepared to use their heads in those scenarios: "You must at least have it on your mind. And you'd better have your game plan in place, because it's life or death."
Again, we have a simple tool that's handy in these situations.
(.44 Magnum or 10mm are best for grizzlies.)
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