Bear Attacks: The Deadly Truth

Gary is not a biologist writing a textbook for a course at a university.If you want a fairy tale tree hugging earth first view read something else. If you want a reality based this is how it is in the world where people have to live and survive in READ THESE BOOKS. They just might save your life or the life of someone you love! He is a man who has experience and knowledge in actual real life as well as interviewed others who have experienced what to them at the time must have been like "Hell on Earth". It's easy for some armchair experts to criticize a man that has spent most of his life in the field and not with his nose stuck in some test tube or book. He has done more to preserve the bears of which he writes than the majority of his critics will ever do, as their talk is cheap compared to his actions and the results of his accomplishments. James Gary Shelton wants bears to have places and room to be bears but when government agencies try to make those places where human population exists then both the people and bears lose because sooner or latter there will be human/bear conflict which results in the bear being killed. Some government agencies relocate problem bears without proper consideration as to the consequences. What was the bear guilty of should play a major role as to where or if it should be relocated. Would you relocate a bear that had been seen repeatedly stalking children as prey? Agencies need to investigate problem bear reports more thoroughly. This problem is due to many problems of under staffing, under funding, and in some cases down right negligence. The result can and has resulted in the needless mauling or death of adults and children with resultant death of the bears. A team effort to teach problem bears to avoid humans and human use areas by the use of such methods such as, bear bangers, rubber bullets, and even a pair of Karelian Bear Dogs nipping at the bears behind can prove effective at least on some of the bears saving both humans and bears. Prevention is best but unfortunately as Gary points out governments both in Canada and in the USA tend to ignore a problem until it bites them so badly they can't hide it any longer. Then who do you think loses? Give the man a break; a helping hand and just maybe such a catastrophe can be avoided! I have never had to kill a bear so far in my life but I have experienced a black bear kill a friend of mine. Personally I don't hate bears but respect them for who they are. Bears have individual personalities just as humans do. That means some bears are not safe to be around just as some humans are not safe to be around and both may have to suffer the same fate. That is Reality!

I received this book from my father, Doug Van Tine whom was mentioned in the book on pg. 161. My family has lived in BC for several generations and has always had a love/kinship with the wilderness and the animals that live there. Most of my uncles are directly involved in wildlife/wilderness conservation in some way or another. The reason we received this book was because Mr. Shelton wrote about my cousin's husband, Shane Fumerton and his hunting partner whom were both attacked and killed by a single Grizzly bear in 1995 (story on pg 135-190). The pictures in the book are all pictures that I have seen well before the book was written. I can tell you that the account depicted is completely accurate from all the detailed information I have heard. The final analysis of this story is that it is believed that this bear attacked because it's food supply had been reduced by a recent government decision to allow hunting of the bear's prime food supply, young deer/elk.I also love the wilderness and am a true advocate for the conservation of bears. In my opinion, bears are a barometer of the state of the wilderness. This book conveys the authors respect and admiration of bears and tells the rare stories of bear/human encounters like they really are. Well done!

This is a wonderful book ! I normally look for the books that bias on the side of the bear.Bear attack books that place people as ones that have stepped too far into an animals territory ect. But this book challenged me to see another side of the problem I had always not wanted to see- Bears. I learned so much about protecting myself and my family while we enjoy the wilderness.The stories are so detailed and an issue brought out of each one. I still love bears and the majestic power of this animal-if not more, but this book has helped me see that at times my compassion lies in the wrong place(Lisa' story pulled at my heart).Read this book it is a must for hikers,hunters,workers and those who pass anytime in the home of bears.

I started collecting bear books when my father-in-law told me a couple of bear stories. I never knew much about bears but when I started hearing about them, I became TOTALLY fascinated. I loved the power and ferocity and natural instinct that the "bear" had. They are so powerful and magestic, yet absolutely SCARY & BEAUTIFUL at the same time (at least to me they are). I LOVE the wilderness but to be totally honest ever since I've learnt about bears and what they are capable of, I have become TOTALLY PETRIFIED of walking in the woods & down the trails. That's a SAD fact I know but it's the truth (honesty counts doesn't it?). However I love going to the dump to look at the bears (in the safety of my car or truck) when we are up at the cabin. Mr. Shelton and his experience proved such great immense detail in the stories that were told that you felt like you were right there. He knows the smell of a bears breath, he knows the "great" appearance of a bear, he knows the possible injury/fatality that can occurr plus all the characteristics of the bear and he respects that. He relies on his knowledge to express what his book is all about, with true honest feeling. I started reading it and I couldn't put it down. Seriously, I absolutely loved it. I loved the suspense and scariness. I also loved the major detail and care that he had to of taken in writing such a book. When the bear would attack and branches would break, scratches would occur, and mauling(s) take place, it was wild like it should be. It was something you didn't expect and I appreciate that because it was him being honest. I would love to meet Mr. Shelton and talk about bear attacks/incidents/stories but I know that this probably wouldn't be possible. However it would be a great experience. I love bears don't get me wrong. I appreciate them and care about them; however in some areas during certain years I think that they are over-protected. During this time I believe that Human/Bear Conflict is the highest because of the great concentration of bears during that time. Which may be due to different reasonings. During this time I believe it feasible to stand your guard. Sometimes that just has to be done! OVERALL, I ENJOYED HIS BOOK IMMENSELY! I hope another comes out soon! Sincerely,Gloria K.

This is the most up-to-date survival manual for all those who live, visit or work in bear country. It is a wonderful addition to my bear library which also includes Dr. Stephen Herrero's, "Bear Attacks-Their Cause and Avoidance" and "Mark of the Grizzly" by Scott McMillion also available online along with others by an assortment of authors. The best feature of Shelton's new book is that it brings us new developments and behavior trends, for instance; what is happening out there now; who is most likely to encounter bears, when, where, and how they are attacking. Due to many factors covered in the book, there is a serious increase in predatory bear attacks that may alarm you but if you're not aware of them, how can you protect yourself? Bears are attacking differently and some of the ways they are doing it will shock and surprise you. Shelton teaches classes in defense for many American and B. C. or Canadian Government field workers and others who frequent the forests for a variety of reasons---he is a highly reputable source who is able to keep up in a way most government biologists are not afforded in terms of time spent in the field, access to current attack data and no political agenda to promote. In any event, he points out new trends in the way both black and grizzlies are attacking people. His indepth study covers the most recent attacks that cannot be found in earlier bear publications or in bear warning advisories put out by most park agencies today. Serious new developments and trends have implications for hunters, hikers, and anyone with an interest in coexisting with bears. All this and much more is covered in Shelton's book and easy to understand. The review that proceeded this one has misquoted the text and thrown the baby out with the bathwater. If anyone thinks bears stand only to identify you and when you make noise to indicate your presence, they will leave ---may have just signalled the dinner bell. Yes or No? What to do is covered extensively in this book and I recommend it highly to all concerned parties. I am purchasing a copy for each of my children who reside in bear country. We ALL need to know the information that is presented here. It corrects some misconceptions that if left uncorrect, could very well get you killed! Save a life - Buy it today!!!