Chilling game of hide and seek with a hungry polar bear

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan Seeking
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Game Polar
AI Thread Summary
A recent discussion highlights the thrill and danger of bear encounters, sparked by a man's close call with a polar bear while bear-watching. The narrative emphasizes the adrenaline rush he experienced, especially with a photographer capturing the moment instead of helping. Participants debated the necessity of carrying firearms for protection against bears, with some humorously suggesting that one only needs to outrun their companions in a crisis. The conversation also touched on bizarre incidents involving people attempting to hug bears at zoos, raising concerns about human behavior around wild animals. Overall, the thread blends humor with serious reflections on safety in bear territory, illustrating the unpredictable nature of wildlife interactions.
Ivan Seeking
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
8,194
Reaction score
2,473
Physics news on Phys.org
Smart, lucky guy.
 
I bet his photographer is off his Christmas card list.

"Help! Get help!"

"Just a second, Bob - I'm getting some great shots here!"
 
Vanadium 50 said:
I bet his photographer is off his Christmas card list.

"Help! Get help!"

"Just a second, Bob - I'm getting some great shots here!"
:smile:

He sure was lucky that truck was unlocked.
 
imagine the adrenaline rush! he must have had some fun
 
From the appearance of the tripod at the pickup truck, I surmise that these fellows were bear-watching and hoping for some good pictures. The incipient meal was a lucky guy, indeed!
 
yummy man chops!
 
hypatia said:
yummy man chops!
Given that very real possibility, it would have been prudent to pack a firearm chambered for rounds capable of stopping a big bear. My single-shot Ruger Model 1 in .45-70 is a favorite with Alaskan bush-pilots and guides because the action is so strong that you can load them up to (painful on both ends) velocities.
 
turbo-1 said:
Given that very real possibility, it would have been prudent to pack a firearm chambered for rounds capable of stopping a big bear. My single-shot Ruger Model 1 in .45-70 is a favorite with Alaskan bush-pilots and guides because the action is so strong that you can load them up to (painful on both ends) velocities.

That's a bit of overkill. You only need a gun powerful enough to take out your buddy's kneecap.

You don't have to run faster than a bear. You just have to run faster than your buddy.
 
  • #10
BobG said:
That's a bit of overkill. You only need a gun powerful enough to take out your buddy's kneecap.
You don't have to run faster than a bear. You just have to run faster than your buddy.
That's why Cheney always takes his lawyer hunting with him.
 
  • #11
mgb_phys said:
That's why Cheney always takes his lawyer hunting with him.
So he can shoot someone and feel no shame?

There have also been a couple of incidents recently where idiots have climbed into bear cages at zoos:

Panda in China zoo bites student who wanted a hug
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081122/D94K23282.html

Knut Needed Hug: Zoo Intruder
http://www.newser.com/story/46025/knut-needed-hug-zoo-intruder.html

Most disturbing: in both cases, it was men wanting to hug the cute teddy bear!
 
  • #12
this happened a while back
 
  • #13
russ_watters said:
So he can shoot someone and feel no shame?

There have also been a couple of incidents recently where idiots have climbed into bear cages at zoos:

Panda in China zoo bites student who wanted a hug
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081122/D94K23282.html

Knut Needed Hug: Zoo Intruder
http://www.newser.com/story/46025/knut-needed-hug-zoo-intruder.html

Most disturbing: in both cases, it was men wanting to hug the cute teddy bear!

How many years does that contribute to the difference in lifespan between men and women?
 
  • #14
russ_watters said:
So he can shoot someone and feel no shame?
With polar bears it's always worth having a spare victim along!
 
  • #15
That bear was moving a lot faster than the man was. Note how quickly the bear gained ground on him... he wouldn't have made another lap around the truck.


There is an old Gary Larson cartoon that shows two polar bears and an igloo with a big hole in the top. It it clear the the hole results from one of the bears taking a bite out of the igloo. One polar bear says to the other: ~ "Oh, I love these things. They're crunchy on the outside and chewy in the middle!"
 
  • #16
Damn you, Ivan! I was just going to post that!
On the other hand, I saw the exact same punch-line on a cartoon with a couple of dragons and part of a suit of armour.
Russ, ol' pal, I hate to break it to you... neither pandas nor Teddys are bears... :rolleyes:
 
Back
Top