Boy Scout plays dead, survives bear attack

"This, my friends, is reason number one why I don't camp."

The bears, or the 14-year-olds with guns?

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But Black Bears are pretty harmless, generally. Make noise, stand up tall, and they run away. Lie there like a hot dog in a bun and they'll start snacking.

There's a trip I used to lead a lot in Northwestern Yosemite where the black bears would wait at the lunch spot by the trail and then follow hikers into camp, hoping one of them would leave their backpack unattended for a moment. Yelling and running at them would chase them away for a bit. Hanging food was best. These, however, were the bears brought up from the Valley for being too used to people.

Bears are more of a reason TO go camping, rather than not to. Kids with guns, however, that are liable to start shooting at any strange noise in the night (be it bear or someone from the next campsite looking for the loo) IS a reason not to go camping.

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I live 20 miles north of Hickory Run. It was reported that the kid had some snacks in his tent. If that was the case: You don't need the gun dude, just some good judgment. That is, listen to what your Scout leaders surely told you.

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Sandy,

I'm with you, but for a different reason. I love the outdoors, and am all for keeping it out there. I don't pitch a tent because I can't get decent room service, or mint on my pillow, if I remember to bring one.

In the Army while lying in half-frozen mud, waiting to ambush an enemy squad, I told myself I never wanted to to two things again: 1) hunt, and 2) sleep outside on the ground... expecially with bears. I remember that story about a guy living in the woods with bears... until they ate him: no thanks!

"Roughing it" for me is when I can't find a good restaurant.

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I am the mother of Christopher and I will be calling the Daily Local News tomorrow concerning the gun situation. My son did a phone interview with them (I was there) and he said no such thing about bringing a gun next time. Christopher said the following: All i said was my leader has a permit to carry but being on a scout trip and being in a state park its two reasons he can't bring his gun.

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It's Christopher's mom again. Chistopher did not have any food in his tent. After my son was put into the ambulance, the ranger went right over to his tent and searched for food of any kind. He found nothing! I'm very proud of my son for doing what he was told. The bear was practically right on top of him. How was he supposed to get up and run??

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It's lucky this boy is alive. Whoever taught him to play dead with black bears is completely mis-informed.
Probably the same brave individual who was unwilling to come to his aid, and instead got in the
bus.
Cowardly no-nothing wimps taking boys camping-pathetic.

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I also camped at Hickory Run the same weekend as this incident (last weekend). The park attendant both told me of the incident as a precaution, and told me of the food the boy had in his tent.

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Doogle---If you want the correct story, I would suggust that you call the park ranger on duty that night,not the ones you talked to. You were given the wrong information. Please read comment # 7.

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