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  • Lows Lake Bears

    I was at Sabattis Scout Reservation last week, which abuts Lows Lake, and the camp was visited by quite a few bears each night. I was pretty lucky, and they only chewed up my canister, but another site had a very large (~300# according to the Camp Ranger) bear visit them just after dinner, and growl and care the boys off so he could climb on the table and finish their food. The ranger planned to try to run them off Saturday night when there were no Scouts by using rubber bullets, but if the bear comes back aggressively this week, they planned to call the DEC in to remove it. Which, given the story I was told, doesn't bode well for a bear that really couldn't be relocated if he truly came out in daylight and growled folks off their food.

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    “Death is the only wise advisor that we have. Whenever you feel, as you always do, that everything is going wrong and you're about to be annihilated, turn to your death and ask if that is so. Your death will tell you, 'I haven't touched you yet.” Carlos Castenada

  • #2
    Sabattis is always a hot spot for bears. Greg, the camp ranger, would know how to take care of it if anyone would, and of course his wife Dawn who constantly patrols Lows is an Assistant DEC Ranger. Very nice people, btw.

    About 4-5 years ago there was a famous swimming bear, who would begin his rounds at Sabattis, then swim to each of the island campsites and hit campsites along the north shore, ending up at Grass Pond. The next night he would repeat the same route. This went on for two years, until someone got him during hunting season.
    "Now I see the secret of making the best person, it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth." -Walt Whitman

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Wldrns View Post
      Sabattis is always a hot spot for bears. Greg, the camp ranger, would know how to take care of it if anyone would, and of course his wife Dawn who constantly patrols Lows is an Assistant DEC Ranger. Very nice people, btw.

      About 4-5 years ago there was a famous swimming bear, who would begin his rounds at Sabattis, then swim to each of the island campsites and hit campsites along the north shore, ending up at Grass Pond. The next night he would repeat the same route. This went on for two years, until someone got him during hunting season.
      Definitely good people, and a good camp for the kids...I truly hope they can calm that bear down, but once he's learned he can chase people off, that's hard to rehabilitate from there, I'd think.
      “Death is the only wise advisor that we have. Whenever you feel, as you always do, that everything is going wrong and you're about to be annihilated, turn to your death and ask if that is so. Your death will tell you, 'I haven't touched you yet.” Carlos Castenada

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      • #4
        Great... :-( Keep us informed if you hear anything more. I'm planning on spending at least a week at Lows Lake in early October. (My avatar photo was taken there in 2012.)

        Take it easy,
        Bob

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        • #5
          Why is it that pepper spray isn't allowed in NY? From everything I have read, it is excellent bear repellent. Seems like if the bears got sprayed a few times they would get the message.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by EagleCrag View Post
            Why is it that pepper spray isn't allowed in NY? From everything I have read, it is excellent bear repellent. Seems like if the bears got sprayed a few times they would get the message.
            I believe that it is only the higher concentration of pepper spray, available in some other states, that is not allowed. There is a lower concentration that is allowed, in limited size canisters in NY. Is it as effective on bears in practice? dunno.
            "Now I see the secret of making the best person, it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth." -Walt Whitman

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            • #7
              There is bear spray and there is Mace (personal protectant spray) The concentration of capasaicin is different.

              Learn about New York pepper spray laws, restrictions and rules. See what NY approved defense pepper spray and self defense products can be purchased online and shipped to NY State.


                   This new series of posts is going to be about what I suggest you own, and use for self-defense as a New Yorker.  New Yorker's are a bit...


              I've got a nice canister of bear spray and will probably forget to bring it to Low's in October. Bear spray has a lower concentration of capasaicin.

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              • #8
                A follow up question then is why the DEC doesn't try using it to deter the bears. Perhaps they have and found that is doesn't keep them away? Seems like it would be worth a try as opposed to attempted relocation or euthanization.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by EagleCrag View Post
                  A follow up question then is why the DEC doesn't try using it to deter the bears. Perhaps they have and found that is doesn't keep them away? Seems like it would be worth a try as opposed to attempted relocation or euthanization.
                  Pepper spray is an eye irritant and localized and not long lasting. Pepper sprayed surfaces actually attract animals.

                  To keep bears away the DEC would have to keep spray aerosolized all over the lake. Constantly

                  It would also keep everyone away.

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                  • #10
                    I think that if a bear got sprayed by someone with pepper spray it would associate that unpleasant experience with people and shy away. From what I have read, they really beat feet when sprayed with the stuff. I'm not suggesting they spray a whole area with it. If you've ever been sprayed with the stuff or gone through gas mask confidence training in the service, you wouldn't care to repeat the experience either.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by EagleCrag View Post
                      I think that if a bear got sprayed by someone with pepper spray it would associate that unpleasant experience with people and shy away. From what I have read, they really beat feet when sprayed with the stuff. I'm not suggesting they spray a whole area with it. If you've ever been sprayed with the stuff or gone through gas mask confidence training in the service, you wouldn't care to repeat the experience either.

                      I used to work EMS. It was unpleasant when the police had maced a patient that was out of control and violent.. then we got them... The aftereffects take quite a time to clear..

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by yellowcanoe View Post
                        I used to work EMS. It was unpleasant when the police had maced a patient that was out of control and violent.. then we got them... The aftereffects take quite a time to clear..
                        Back in the late 60's I was maced a couple of times at various anti-war protests, but I always went back.

                        Perhaps bears are smarter than me.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by bluequill View Post
                          Back in the late 60's I was maced a couple of times at various anti-war protests, but I always went back.

                          Perhaps bears are smarter than me.
                          Smarter than the average bear?? or not?
                          “Death is the only wise advisor that we have. Whenever you feel, as you always do, that everything is going wrong and you're about to be annihilated, turn to your death and ask if that is so. Your death will tell you, 'I haven't touched you yet.” Carlos Castenada

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                          • #14
                            WinterWarlock;

                            Other than a couple of scratches; any other damage to your bear canister?
                            "Buddy, I think I ate your pop tarts!"

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Prometheus View Post
                              WinterWarlock;

                              Other than a couple of scratches; any other damage to your bear canister?
                              Nope...no cracks or anything. Biggest problem is that one of the bite marks crossed the seam between the old and the canister, and sort of melded it together. A few upside down bangs on a log, and some sanding when back home and it's fine.
                              “Death is the only wise advisor that we have. Whenever you feel, as you always do, that everything is going wrong and you're about to be annihilated, turn to your death and ask if that is so. Your death will tell you, 'I haven't touched you yet.” Carlos Castenada

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