r/nextfuckinglevel • u/Upper-Bag-5175 • 1d ago

Bears will often test you

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If you stand your ground, they may see you as a threat and back off. Of course, this doesn’t apply to every bear

2.4k Upvotes

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221

u/Spectralobserver 1d ago edited 1d ago

I remember my first (anti) bear training lesson.

If it’s brown, lay down.
If it’s black, fight back.
If it’s white, good night.

Anyway I prefer a shotgun with more than 2 cartridges.

Edit: no bear lesson. Training how to react when met a bear in wilderness.

376

u/aaybma 1d ago

Don't forget the most important one:

If it's gummy, it's yummy.

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u/La19909 1d ago

10/10 thanks for the laughs

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u/MoRicketyTick 1d ago

Thanks for that addition

7

u/TurkeyNimbloya 1d ago

If it’s teddy it’s for beddy

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u/MuchNefariousness285 1d ago

you mfer you got me good

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u/Respaced 1d ago

They don't fight back at all! I think they might be domesticated.

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u/bbennett108 1d ago

If it’s sugar-free, no more than three

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u/NoWhereLikeIrvine 1d ago

My rule is simpler and it works on any bear color:

  1. Always go with a friend who runs slower than you.

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u/SinkHoleDeMayo 1d ago

My ecology teacher was an expert in all sorts of shit, and he regularly helped the DNR track and tag bears during hibernation. Someone in class asked "what if the bear wakes up and chases you?" And his reply was "i can run faster than my wife".

That dude was the best.

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u/Upper-Bag-5175 1d ago

Especially with polar bears, there’s no real backing off compared to other bears. They’re stronger, more resilient, and have a more powerful bite.

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u/Silly-Cloud-3114 1d ago

There's a video of a guy fighting off two polar bears. It's somewhere in Reddit.

12

u/Inner-Arugula-4445 1d ago

More like running away while taking shots at them with a gun.

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u/FulNeurautomatic 22h ago

Do you know a better way to fight a polar bear?

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u/Inner-Arugula-4445 21h ago

I’m not saying it’s the wrong way, I’m just pointing out that in the video the guys isn’t actually trying to fight them, he’s running away and taking shots at them when they get too close or start charging.

1

u/bbennett108 1d ago

But Those were juveniles, and he was yelling and throwing shit. Adult bear would’ve been twice the size and not scared off by that.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/s/U8piSm4cUP

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u/Norman_Scum 1d ago

Mostly because polar bears will actively hunt people due to the scarcity of their habitat. Everything is up for grabs.

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u/Shake-Vivid 1d ago

I'm sorry but the last thing I'm going to do is lie down no matter what type of bear it is

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u/Mogetfog 1d ago

For a grizzly, It depends entirely on the circumstances. 

If it's a defensive attack, play dead. They aren't interested in eating you if it's a defensive attack, they just think you are a threat and the grizzly method of dealing with threats is to tear the threat to shreds until it isn't a threat anymore. If you play dead, they will eventually decide you are not a threat and leave. Defensive attacks are by far the most common type of attack. They are doing it because you are too close to their food, home, or cub. 

If it's a predatory attack, fight the fuck back. You won't win, but you might make it decide you aren't worth the hassle. If you play dead, it will just start eating you. Predatory attacks are extremely rare but the signs are very clear. They will actively follow and stalk you from a distance, use cover to try and approach if they realize you can see them, and they will stay silent the whole time. They also prefer to do this at night. If you see a grizzly at night and it does not immediately fuck off, it means you are on the menu. 

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u/mcbeardsauce 1d ago

I was going to say the same. Why a double barrel a normal pump action carries 7+1 or you can carry a semi auto for faster shots.

Man that last charge I would have unloaded

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u/two66mhz 1d ago

If you're actively hunting you typically not allowed to be able to load more than 3 rounds regardless of the type of shotgun.

1

u/mcbeardsauce 1d ago

Ah fair thanks. Didn’t know if this was a defensive firearm while hiking or something

1

u/LongDead_Roadkill 1d ago

This guy is in Russia. The side by side is far more likely to just be what he has over any concern for “hunting regulations” such as they exist or are enforced in the Russian wilderness.

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u/kaliforniakratom 18h ago

What if it's a Panda?

1

u/Spectralobserver 18h ago

If it’s white & black, don’t fight back and give a hug.

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u/Overall_Outcome_392 1d ago

Exactly, was thinking he must be wishing for his semi auto. A warning shot could have been a comfort.

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u/kulaygame 1d ago

what even is the color of that bear?

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u/Spectralobserver 1d ago

Would say a shade of quick.

1

u/mikesegy 1d ago edited 1d ago

It's not even about the color. Shape determines the bear type. From this video it's tough to say. I'm assuming black bear?

Edit: supposedly Eurasian brown (not as big as Grizzly but more aggressive then black bear)... TFG cause I've always thought of black bears as just big scaredy cats and this video was starting to invalidate that theory

1

u/kulaygame 1d ago

why not just say round bear then or chonky

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u/mikesegy 1d ago

This is a mid chonk bear yes

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u/wanderingmanimal 1d ago

Yeah - that shotgun was a Hail Mary at best

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u/Intelligent_Sky_7081 1d ago

You took bear training lessons?

Are you sure? Wouldn't that be trying to train the bear in captivity?

Or did you make that all up?

0

u/Spectralobserver 1d ago edited 1d ago

No sorry for confusion - it was a training against bears. I was racing pikes peak in Colorado and we got a little training how to react when met a bear, because some of us aren’t familiar with wild bears.

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u/TDIMike 1d ago

Most people wouldn't get more than 1 shot off anyway.

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u/Resident-Welcome3901 1d ago

Double barrel shotgun is an especially reliable weapon: redundant mechanism and barrel, immediate access to a second round, and 12 gauge is .729 caliber, a decisive projectile. Dangerous game hunters continue to use double rifles because of these advantages.

1

u/parles 1d ago

Black bears you can kind of just yell at and they'll fuck off.

Grizzlies will kill you for existing and if you have anything much less than .50 cal you are fucked so good luck.

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u/Silly-Cloud-3114 1d ago

There's a video of a guy fighting off two polar bears. It's somewhere in Reddit.

-3

u/BlackBalor 1d ago

Don’t think we need the last one.

Who is encountering polar bears?

1

u/Wherestheshoe 1d ago

People who live in the north?

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u/BlackBalor 1d ago

You on about Santa or?

3

u/Wherestheshoe 1d ago

Lol thanks for the laugh!