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Post by brobear on Mar 22, 2017 6:56:11 GMT -5
The various fighting techniques and killing methods used by the grizzly.
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Post by brobear on Mar 22, 2017 6:56:41 GMT -5
The Grizzly Almanac by Robert H. Busch.
Males will also fight with other males over females, and many old male grizzlies have deep scars on their muzzles from such encounters. When challenging another male, grizzlies often use what has been termed a "cowboy walk," in which they walk on stiff bowlegs toward each other with lowered head and angry intentions. The posing often deters a fight before it begins, but when an actual tussle occurs, serious injuries can occur. Occasionally, the fights are fatal. The autopsy of one such unfortunate bear, who obviously lost in his fight, revealed 89 puncture wounds, a wide hole in the chest, broken ribs, a broken shoulder, a broken nose, a dislocated neck, and a broken skull. Those males who survive such battles pass on their genes to the next generation.
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Post by brobear on Mar 22, 2017 6:57:14 GMT -5
The Bear Almanac by Gary Brown.
In an attack, bears charge on all four legs, some in great, leaping bounds. They do not stand bipedal in an attack, unless in a final, close-quarters "reaching" action. They do not "bear hug" but strike, claw, and bite. The most effective method of attack is with a crushing blow of a forepaw; they have incredible forepaw speed; a single strike is so powerful that it can kill an adult elk, caribou, or moose. The bear "... strikes around with its paws," according to Frederick Drimmer in 'The Animal Kingdom. "The terrific strength of its weighty arms drives the claws deep into the body of its victims." "When hunting large game, bears may stalk catlike, then run the prey down with a sudden spurt and kill it with blows of the forepaws and bites through the neck," describes Paul Shepard and Barry Sanders in 'The sacred Paw'. Scientists, victims, and other observers describe various actions of the species: Brown bear: uses speed to run down prey; charges in great bounds ( while uttering a deep roar ); rears up in fight to grasp head or neck with teeth; swings powerful forepaws, with enormous body strength behind them.
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Post by brobear on Mar 22, 2017 6:57:54 GMT -5
Man Meets Grizzly by Young and Beyers. Most competent writers on the grizzly agree that he is seldom the aggressor, but when wounded, closely pressed, or surprised, he becomes a juggernaut, springing to kill with all his power. There are various views on just how the grizzly attacks his foe. Some say the bear strikes for the face or head and bites the foe in these areas. Others state that the bear will hold the victim with one arm, while clawing and striking with the other and biting at the same time. W.H. Wright says he never saw a grizzly attack in an upright position or open his mouth as he charged. There may be exceptions to this, as in the instance of Old Ephraim. The standing bear probably assumes that position in order to better investigate a situation. There are reports of bears hugging and biting, or striking at the side of the head and biting when they can get a hold. There are enough stories of unfortunate men whose faces have been disfigured in this manner to support the idea that the head is a favorite target for the bear. Yet I was much bothered on this point because of the conflicting opinions held by those who should know, until a young naturalist at Yellowstone Park, Lowell Biddulph, enlightened me. While he was on an observation trip in early spring, when there was still considerable snow on the ground, he used as headquarters a cabin near Dunraven Pass; it was built on a hillside with a window on the downhill side. He was in the custom of throwing table scraps out of the window. On an evening of full moonlight, when he could see clearly, a large grizzly bear came to eat the food. It was soon joined by another large grizzly. They began to quarrel over the food. Both rose on their hind legs and struck each other on the head, bit at the face and neck, and threw arms around each other and hugged and bit at each other's throat.
This account convinces me that a grizzly bear will use whatever means he can employ to best his antagonist and will, upon occasion, hug. To do this he stands. The strength of the bear's arms makes a very effective vise. Some of the most serious wounds hunters receive were made by a bear reaching up with his hind foot and tearing clothes and flesh from the victim, who was held by the bear's forearms. A curious thing about wounds inflicted by bears, which Hornaday and others have noted, is that bear bites and scratches almost never produce blood poisoning. Inquiry among hunters and park rangers, as well as doctors, supports this statement. This is strange, for the same kinds of wounds from wolves or lions frequently result in blood poisoning; it is all the more remarkable because bears like to scavenge garbage and stale meat, carrion even, and they dig and scratch in the dirt.
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Post by brobear on Mar 22, 2017 6:58:25 GMT -5
Here is yet another account of a grizzly administering a "bear hug" ... from Man Meets Grizzly by Young and Beyers. The next moment a growl, so deep and fierce that it echoed through the cave, startled me to my feet; and I turned to find myself closely confronted by an enormous grizzly bear, the most fearful animal of the American wilds. How ferociously his eyes glared on me from under his shaggy brows, as he opened them from the new-fallen sleep, which the warm beams of my fire had dispelled, and how convulsively his huge jaws worked and quivered in eager longing to devour me! Ere I had time to snatch the revolver from my belt the gigantic beast rose toweringly above me, and opening his enormous paws, pressed me to him in close embrace - so close that my arms were pinned to my sides, and my very bones seemed to crack in that viselike hug. I believe I screamed with the sudden agony, but the sound was lost in the deep-mouthed growls, like muttering thunder, that filled the cave.
Weak and exhausted as I was, I felt myself unequal to cope with the powerful beast in whose grasp I was; but even if life were of little worth, to a solitary such as I, this mode of death was so horrible, that it nerved me to efforts beyond my ordinary strength, and somehow my hand managed to creep up towards my belt. But ere I could reach the weapon I sought, a movement of the bear had loosened it, and firing a single barrel, it fell to the ground among our feet. The report echoing through the cave alarmed my adversary; and with a more threatening growl, he clasped me closer, and for the first time his claws penetrated my clothes, inflicting terrible wounds.
But my hand had met an unexpected friend in my knife, which I had unwittingly thrust into my belt, and with it I inflicted several random stabs on my antagonist. This, however, seemed only to add to my own suffering; for, maddened by the pain, the bear threw himself upon the ground and rolled over me in his agony, while his huge teeth munched and tore at the blanket which a fortunate fit of toothache had made me wrap round my head. Not that, nor any other earthly matter seemed likely to concern me long, for the strength of excitement was already passing, a srange murmur was mingling in my ears with the fierce growls of my enemy; and the pain of his claws changed into a vague yet universal agony as unconsciousness and life were being pressed out in the terrible hug.
Suddenly a sound echoed through the cave, so sharp that it reached even my failing faculties, and appeared to thrill likewise on the nerves of my foe, to judge by the increased emphasis of his embrace; but the next instant he relaxed his hold, and sank helpless on the ground beside me, his almost insensible victim.
My first sensation as I revived were of burning pains all over my body, and exceeding cold in my hands and face; I opened my eyes to find a young Indian bending over me, and rubbing me with snow.
Passing near the cave, he had seen my fire, and heard the report of my revolver and had hastened to see what was the matter, just in time to save me from a miserable death and a revolting sepulcher.
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Post by brobear on Mar 22, 2017 6:59:06 GMT -5
The Grizzly by Enos A. Mills.
The grizzly is exceptionally expert and agile with his paws. With either fore paw he can strike like a sledge-hammer or lift a heavy weight. He boxes or strikes with lightning-like rapidity. Most grizzlies are right-handed; that is, the right fore paw is most used. If a small object is to be touched or moved, he will daintily use but one claw. The black bear would use the entire paw.
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Post by brobear on Mar 22, 2017 6:59:40 GMT -5
BEARS of the last frontier... Suddenly, the action turned from slow motion to quick draw: in an explosion of power and testosterone the clash of the titans thundered before us. One of the males swung such a forceful left hook that all four paws left the ground for a second. Definitely no small feat for a thousand-pound lover. Teeth, claws, saliva, muscle, and flying fur - it was like a small bomb went off in the middle of the wilderness. The female frantically circled the battling males just three feet away like a tiny referee, scoring the fight, psyched at the idea of leaving with the winner. Wads of fur flew, backlit by the evening sun, and then, just ten seconds after the first punch was landed, it was over. It was as much as either of them could take. The behemoths seperated, exhausted and breathing heavily, standing on all fours just ten feet apart, heads held low. Slowly, the new comer turned to walk away without pausing for a moment to look over his shoulder. He was the new champ. In the bear world, only the winner has the confidence to do this; it is a key piece of body language. The famale fell in behind him and left the scene with her new male.
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Post by brobear on Mar 22, 2017 7:00:54 GMT -5
shaggygod.proboards.com/thread/11...rful-force The bear paw is capable of delivering a powerful force, resulting in significant blunt trauma, particularly to the head and neck, ribcage, and abdominal cavity, especially solid organ rupture. Therefore victims of bear attacks should be evaluated for occult blunt trauma.
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Post by brobear on Mar 22, 2017 7:04:35 GMT -5
MAN MEETS GRIZZLY - Gathered by F.M.Young - 1980. Most competent writers on the grizzly agree that he is seldom the aggressor, but when wounded, closely pressed, or surprised, he becomes a juggernaut, springing to kill with all his power. There are various views on just how the grizzly attacks his foe. Some say the bear strikes for the face or head and bites the foe in these areas. Others state that the bear will hold the victim with one arm, while clawing and striking with the other and biting at the same time. W.H.Wright says he never saw a grizzly attack in an upright position or open his mouth as he charged. There may be exceptions to this, as in the instance of Old Ephraim. The standing bear probably assumes that position in order to better investigate a situation. There are reports of bears hugging and biting, or striking at the side of the head and biting when they can get a hold. There are enough stories of unfortunate men whose faces have been disfigured in this manner to support the idea that the head is a favorite target for the bear. Yet I was much bothered on this point because of the conflicting opinions held by those who should know, until a young naturalist at Yellowstone Park, Lowell Biddulph, enlightened me.
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Post by brobear on Mar 22, 2017 7:05:21 GMT -5
Continued.... While he was on an observation trip in early spring, when there was still considerable snow on the ground. On an evening of full moonlight, when he could see clearly, a large grizzly bear came to eat the food. It was soon joined by another large grizzly. They began to quarrel over the food. Both rose on their hind legs and struck each other on the head, bit at the face and neck, and threw arms around each other and hugged and bit at each other's throat. This account convinces me that a grizzly bear will use whatever means he can employ to best his antagonist and will, upon occasion, hug. To do this he stands. The strength of the bear's arms makes a very effective vise. Some of the most serious wounds hunters have received were made by a bear reaching up with his hind foot and tearing clothes and flesh from the victim, who was held by the bear's forearms.
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Post by brobear on Mar 22, 2017 7:07:37 GMT -5
Continued.... A curious thing about wounds inflicted by bears, which Hornaday and others have noted, is that bear bites and scratches almost never produce blood poisoning. Inquiry among hunters and park rangers, as well as doctors, supports this statement. This is strange, for the same kinds of wounds from wolves or lions frequently result in blood poisoning; it is all the more remarkable because bears like to scavenge garbage and stale meat, carrion even, and they dig and scratch in the dirt.
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Post by brobear on Mar 23, 2017 2:26:47 GMT -5
Go to - Bear Canine Teeth and Claws too see video - First posted by Grizzly Claws. The Brown bears are extremely efficient fast biters, whereas the big cats are killing biters.
The Brown bears can constantly bite fast, unlikely the big cats' killing bite method, they have developed another technique to strip their preys alive.
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Post by brobear on Mar 24, 2017 11:55:23 GMT -5
Grizzly.
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Post by brobear on Apr 24, 2017 13:28:07 GMT -5
Notorious Grizzly Bear by W.P. Hubbard - 1960 - fighting Ability. From the stories I have heard, when a grizzly does battle with another, he does not stand up on his hind legs, as he is often described and pictured as doing. He fights on all fours, sometimes rearing up to a half-standing position as he bites and tears with his powerful jaws, or smashes and slashes with his mighty paws and claws. No holds are barred, but throat grips and the crippling of the opponents legs, neck, and back, along the shoulders, seem to be the predominating tactics used. Their fights are savage and terrific affairs, and some last a long time.
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Post by brobear on Apr 24, 2017 14:07:56 GMT -5
Continued.... The Mountie told me of coming upon a huge, aged grizzly in northeast British Columbia. It had been killed by another bear whose tracks revealed it to be a smaller and probably a younger animal. The deceased was clawed and bitten from the middle of his back to the tip of his nose. Hunks of fur and flesh had been torn from his body. One foreleg was broken above an almost severed paw. The dead bear's deeply gashed shoulders and neck were covered with blood matted fur. Clyde Luxe, cowman, guide, and packer of Idaho's Sawtooth mountain country, took me to a grizzly feudal ground he had come upon but three days before. From the looks of the place there had been quite a scrap. The fight area roughly covered forty feet square. Bushes had been beaten to earth, the ground had been torn up, and several pools of blood and chunks of hide and hair were scattered about. A third bear's tracks were present. I have seen several grizzly battle grounds. Each of the fights took place in June, July, or August, the grizzly's mating season. With the exception of two of the feuds, there were tracks of a third bear about the embattled area which, no doubt, was a female and the cause of the fight.
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Post by brobear on Apr 25, 2017 11:22:08 GMT -5
Notorious Grizzly Bear by W.P. Hubbard - 1960 - Blaming the Killer. Recorded stories are told by both Indian and white men of watching a grizzly follow a buffalo herd and eventually seeing it pull down an aged or maimed animal in the drag of the herd. This was a known practice of wolves. Due to these wolf killings, grizzlies were blamed to an exaggerated extent for killing trail-herd cattle in the same way. It is now commonly known that most of such killings were done by wolves, but the grizzly was blamed. ....The grizzlies did not strike at their victims like a cat, as they have often been described as doing. They cuffed, clubbed, mauled, bit, clawed, ripped, and smashed. When they cuffed domestic sheep and other small animals, they usually crushed the victim's skull or sides, sometimes ripping them open with their claws in the process. Often they killed by hooking their claws into the neck, belly, or ribs, while knocking a "woolie" out of their way. Sometimes they tossed it into the air while doing so. On large game, they killed by tearing their prey's throat with claws and teeth, or by biting or breaking the neck, or caving in the skull or ribs with club-like blows of their powerful paws. At the same time, they inflicted deep gashes upon the victim's body with their claws - or they just clawed and bit until their prey bled to death.
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Post by brobear on Sept 15, 2018 3:54:34 GMT -5
shaggygod.proboards.com/thread/653/brown-bear-predator Bears typically kill using brute force and do not seem to exhibit any stereotyped killing postures or behaviours as seen in canids and felids (R. Boertje, pers. comm.; J. Hechtel, pers. comm.). Polar bears and brown bears have been observed to attack their prey both with bites and crushing forepaw slaps, apparently to whatever region of the prey’s body is accessible (Murie, 1985; Boertje et al., 1988; Case & Stevenson, 1991; M. Ramsay, pers. comm; J. Hechtel, pers. comm.). Sacco, T. and Van Valkenburgh, B. (2004), Ecomorphological indicators of feeding behaviour in the bears (Carnivora: Ursidae). Journal of Zoology, 263: 41–54.
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Post by brobear on Sept 15, 2018 4:13:27 GMT -5
In my own words; from all that I have read, and I have read a lot of books on this topic, the grizzly has no set of rules when it comes to killing prey or fighting another bear or predator. Most often, it seems, he kills with a bite to the spine either on the back or the back of the neck. Just as the face is the main target of the sloth bear ( which by the way evolved from early grizzlies ) a grizzly will often focus his attention to the head of an antagonist. He will place himself between the horns or antlers of a large herbivore and use leverage to wrestle it to the ground, sometimes breaking the neck of the herbivore in doing so. Another killing method is by rapidly biting his adversary with each bite making an ugly wound. Some prey animals are killed by a powerful paw-swipe. I can think of no animal the size of a grizzly that could deliver a paw-strike as devastating as that of the great bear. Though considered a myth even by many experts, there are reliable accounts of bears killing with a powerful hug. Sometimes a grizzly makes a quick kill. More often, the great bear will wear-down his opponent until it is completely exhausted, then kill it at his leisure. Bottom line; when you're the grizzly, there are no set rules.
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Post by King Kodiak on Sept 15, 2018 5:04:09 GMT -5
Another killing technique that brown bears use alot is wrestling the enemy down to the ground, inmobilize them, and just using his weight to crush the ribs or spine. Then finish it of with a neck bite. Also, there is one account of a bear squeezing a lion to death posted in the grizzly vs lion thread.
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Post by brobear on Sept 15, 2018 5:41:39 GMT -5
Another killing technique that brown bears use alot is wrestling the enemy down to the ground, inmobilize them, and just using his weight to crush the ribs or spine. Then finish it of with a neck bite. Also, there is one account of a bear squeezing a lion to death posted in the grizzly vs lion thread. This is what I mean by "slow killing". The grizzly uses his weight and strength to immobilize his antagonist. The opponent struggles and wears himself out. Then the grizzly kills him. You are correct though; sometimes ribs or other bones are broken in the process. I believe that in the topic "Grizzly vs Wild Boar" I have posted a video of a young Russian black grizzly killing the wild hog. ( Ussuri brown bear - Amur brown bear ). You can see that the wild boar is completely exhausted and unable to run or fight.
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