A grizzly bear attacked and killed a 28-year-old man on Friday as he worked in the bush north of Whitehorse, police say.


Jean-Francois Pagé was killed about 30 kilometres east of Ross River, where he was flagging for a mining company.

Pagé originally from Quebec, was marking mineral claims with two other men when he failed to return to their work camp. The men reported Pagé missing to a helicopter pilot, who notified police.

A helicopter search located his body.

RCMP say Pagé was apparently attacked after coming within five metres of a bear den that contained two cubs.

They believe the sow probably attacked Pagé to protect its young, and say the man was likely killed instantly.

The mother bear and cubs were killed at the scene by RCMP and conservation officers.

Police are now warning people working or travelling in wilderness areas to exercise caution as bears come out of their seasonal hibernation.

Ross River, located about 198 kilometres northeast of Whitehorse, has been a hotspot for mining exploration in recent years.


The last confirmed fatal human-grizzly encounter in the Yukon was in 1996, when a woman was killed while hiking in Kluane National Park.

In June 2005, a grizzly bear killed a Quebec woman near Canmore, Alta.

There was a bowhunter killed by a grizzly in central Yukon 2 years ago. The guy was killed right near his camp. He was reported missing and they found some remains and bear shit.

I feel that it was unfortunate for the sow and cubs also. It was bad luck for the 28 year old.
I guess they had to deystroy the bears to recover the body. Other than that it serves no purpose to deystroy them.


Daryl

quote:

Originally posted by Yukoner:
I feel that it was unfortunate for the sow and cubs also...I guess they had to deystroy the bears to recover the body. Other than that it serves no purpose to deystroy them.

Agreed!

Daryl, just for future reference...and I mean it....if I'm killed by a bear up there (neighbor has taken two in front of his cabin), don't let them shoot the beast only to recover my body. ESPECIALLY if it's a sow with cubs!

Best,

John

Hell John
There are plenty here to take up a kitty to pay
to feed the bear oats and barley for a year if
it kills you....Sure they'll throw in some Pepto
for it too.
regards
Jeff

I heard today, that the sow was protecting her kill and the cubs were having a little bite to eat. So, I guess it was nessesary to kill the bears. The cubs would, no doubt, would most likely be dangerous bears after this "learning experience" and the "hey this stuff ain't that bad" experience.
The mocasin telegraph report is saying that the guy was on a Sat. phone with his co-workers and was telling them that a bear was after him then a big scream and that was it.

As well, it is rumoured that anouther mine worker was killed near Dawson by a grizzly last saturday. Anouther french guy.


Daryl

While hunting northern B.C. i've run into several oil exploration crews, always unarmed. Its a chopper safety thing. Well not too smart in my books. Grizzly tracks at every creek crossing, give your head a shake. No disrespect intended but if you're in bear country unarmed you're asking for it.

Don't the mine crews at least carry pepper spray? I have read it is quite effective, is this true?

The Alaska F&W said it's 50/50 on grizzlys but only 1 in 3 on black bears.

not only must you be armed but you got to be agile and quick like a shooting ballerina

I don't see the point in killing the female and cubs.

The cubs certainly wouldn't remember what he tasted like.

quote:

Don't the mine crews at least carry pepper spray? I have read it is quite effective, is this true?

I lost a lot of respect for the stuff after my dog (a shar-pei) punctured the bottle while I wasn't looking. She took a solid blast right in the face and she didn't even whimper. It did seem to bug her eyes for a little while but I don't think it would have stopped her from attacking someone.

quote:

Originally posted by Kensco:
I don't see the point in killing the female and cubs.

The cubs certainly wouldn't remember what he tasted like.

I feel that it was unfortunate that the bears were killed as well. It is unfortunate for the bears that the guy had a sat. phone on him at the time of attack. Rescue was dispatched soon after. When the Authorities found the missing man, the bears were still on him. They have to assume there is a possibility that he may still be alive. Now, if the guy did not have a sat phone on him and he just did not show up at the end of the day and they dispatched the chopper the next day, the bears may have moved off to anouther location by then and therefore not nessesary to be shot.

I have seen studies done on bears and they are very fast learners. It is nessesary for thier survival. The amount they learn in the 2 years with momma is amazing. Studies done on bears in different enviroments have shown how CUBS pick up or follow the habits, traits, experiences of momma bear and how she deals with them. They have 2 years to remember the experiences in order to survive.
The cubs learned that this 2 legged creature was a threat and how momma dealt with this threat. The cubs also learned that this 2 leged creature was also edible and all was well after mother bear's actions. Unfortunate for everyone.


Picture this scenario. As they hover over the scene in the chopper, One officer says to the other," The guy is most likely dead so I guess we will let the bears finish eating. Lets come back tomorow."



Daryl

Thanks schmaus, I'm taking my .44 shooting 320 gr. hardcast with as well when I go to AK tomorrow.

If you had 2 choices.......1 be shot square in the face with pepper spray...2 To stick your face into a beehive to try and eat the honey and comb while thousands of bees do what they may. A bear will do number 2 with nary a growl..and you're going to repeal him with pepper spray?

After see quite a few people sprayed with pepper spray some soap and water and a bit of time they ar up and running. I'll take the spray over the bees anyday.

More then one case on record of bears not being stop by spray.