This info isn't intended to re-kindle the closed hunting thread – it provides interesting data on how the bear/human interaction within the park is fairing this year vs. other timeframes. It's taken from the 8/22/2011 Yosemite Daily Report: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parknews/index.htm

Wow, 1998 was a really bad year. It looks like people are starting to be more careful with their food storage, garbage disposal and keeping scented things out of their cars. Unfortunately, there is always someone who doesn't follow the rules.

I hate it when I see how many bears have been hit. I can't imagine how horrible I would feel if I hit a bear.

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parklover
I can't imagine how horrible I would feel if I hit a bear.

I know that feeling from experience. And, no, I wasn't speeding.

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eeek

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parklover
I can't imagine how horrible I would feel if I hit a bear.

I know that feeling from experience. And, no, I wasn't speeding.

And yet the Park Service likes to imply that it's speeding cars that kills bears.

You know firsthand that you don't have to be speeding to inadvertently strike a bear with your car.

Based on this:

Relationship of Vehicle Speed to Odds of Pedestrian Death in Collision


Vehicle Speed | Odds of Pedestrian Death, Source 1 | Odds of Pedestrian Death, Source 2
20 mph | 5% | 5%
30 mph | 45% | 37%
40 mph | 85% | 83%

it may not make a difference in whether you hit a bear, but in whether is survives. These statistics are for people, but it is reasonable to assume that for bears, while the numbers would be different, the radical increase in death as the speed increases would remain. Bears don't typically receive medical attention when hit, but they are sturdier than people.



Chart taken from:
http://humantransport.org/sidewalks/SpeedKills.htm



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/23/2011 04:02PM by Hitech.

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Hitech
it may not make a difference in whether you hit a bear, but in whether is survives.

In my case I was probably down to under 20 when we hit. The speed limit was 35 and the cars in front of me prevented going even that fast. The bear got up and ran away after been hit.