Bear Help

[snapper]

My 10 year old has been pulling me towards more alpine lake flyfishing. I can't say that I'm complaining. Last year we stumbled across a lot of bear signs. On camping trips we try to cover our scent, hide food, and keep garbage to a minimum. Besides firearms and dogs are there any useful bear protection items or techniques?

[HarpMan]

Carry some Bear spray, GI Joe's or Fishermans will have it soon. Ask for Frontiersman made by Security Equipment it is the best and comes in a 9.07 oz can with holster. Should be around $45-50. This is to be sprayed on the bears when and if they attack, not on you as a deterant !.... It is EPA approved and will not freeze and has a glow in dark actuator. .9% Capsaicin. www.sabre-sabrered.com. (http://www.sabre-sabrered.com.) Good Luck

[jawbreaker]

a good pair of running shoes images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/rolleyes.gif
or bring somebody who is slower than you are.
images/icons/shocked.gif

I've heard from some friends that you should wear a bell on your backpack or talk loudly. Bears don't like to be surprised, and if they hear you coming they will leave. images/icons/wink.gif usually images/icons/rolleyes.gif

[MetalHead]

Snapper, bells on your shoes or pack work very well. Black bears are non-aggressive by nature and will usually give you a very wide berth if they hear you coming. At night hang your food and do not cook or eat in your tent. If you see a bear try to give it space, stay out from between a mother and her cubs and if you are charged stand tall, make noise and wave your arms (try to look as large as possible). Not an expert but I've spent alot of time hiking in the Indian Heaven Wilderness. You havent lived until you've had a bear false charge you, teeth a poppin and huffin and bouching on his front legs - greatly increases the old pucker factor. Have fun images/icons/grin.gif

[Deleted User]

I've only been charged once; and it was a false charge by a black bear adult male on the banks of Idaho's St. Joe River. You're right MH, tends to tighten things up just a tad - then it all loosens back up a little too much afterward! But I evened that scorecard in an angry crazy mood up in NW B.C. late last summer when I ran at a mid-sized black bear with a can of strong capsacin spray; he was waiting for us to hook an easy meal for him. He ran fast the other way fortunately. Won't try that stupid move again. Never try anything with the unpredictable griz! Just back away - don't turn and run. If attacked try the spray. If that doesn't run it off then just ball up and protect your head best you can.

RT

[local_hooker]

I hear when you see bear sign and it has berries, and squirl fur in it that is a black bear. Brown bear droppings however, they have little bells, backpack material, and smell like bear spray!