Two Geologists, Two Dangerous Bears, One Gun, Two Outcomes
The project chief believed “guns added more danger to an encounter than they would prevent”. Her views became policy on the project.
Cynthia later said, in a taped interview for Larry Kanuit: “She had therefore strongly discouraged us from carrying any kind of a firearm.”
[...]
The bear moved out of her sight, then struck her from behind and knocked her down. She had been told playing dead was the best strategy, so she did. The bear proceeded to drag her for nearly half an hour. During that time, her right arm was disabled as the bear tore and chewed on it. She was able to get her radio out of her pocket with her left arm and signal for help.
The bear managed to eat and destroy much of both her arms before help arrived. She did not resist the bear. If she had a firearm, she could easily have shot the bear. At 10 feet, standing still, even a small pistol could have worked.
[...]
Marti Miller’s experience was similar to Cynthia’s in many ways. One difference was she was the project leader when her event happened. She was dropped off by helicopter in a very wild area, to work on a geological survey.
[...]
In her 30 lb pack were lunch, some of the samples she had taken, some spare clothes, spare ammunition, and spare sample bags. She had a .30-06 rifle in the left side ski carrier, held butt up, and a radio in an outside pocket of the pack.
[...]
In the recounting of her incident, Marti casually mentioned another bear, the previous summer, had used the same technique to stalk her and three of her associates, all together.
Marti decided to climb fast to get above the bear, to a place where she could see it approaching her. She chambered a round in her rifle. When she had gained elevation and space, she tried the radio again. Still no contact. Then she saw the bear again. She moved directly upslope of the bear, and in her best command voice, yelled: “Get outta here!”
The bear was about 100 feet away. It looked at her and purposefully started walking toward her. When it was 70 feet away, she fired, aiming at the bear’s nose. The 180-grain Nosler bullet broke the bear’s neck, killing it instantly.
She remembered thinking, a bit surprised: “This thing worked.” Referencing the rifle.
They do...
