B.C. man takes a lesson on backcountry preparation from bluffing black bear

Jul 28, 2016 | 10:27 AM

FERNIE, B.C. — A Fort St. John man says never again will he go for a backcountry run without bear spray after a confrontation in southeastern B.C. 

Tom Coveney says he was running near the Fernie Alpine Resort, just south of Fernie, when he was challenged by a black bear.

He says it was “scary and surreal” as he tried to get to safety while the bruin made three bluff charges.

The speed of the bear amazed Coveney, who says running away was the “dumbest thing” he did.