Bear Advice

[Brook Fan]

I have not fished the park yet and I was wondering of any helpful advice I could use while hiking around to avoid startling any bears. Especially this Spring with all the new cubs around. Don't want to upset momma bear.

I hear about talking loudly as you hike around and carrying bear spray.
Bears may not be a problem but I just want to be as prepared as possible.

[2weightfavorite]

Bear spray is always a good option (especially when carrying the ole .44mag is illegal..) But to be honest the bears aren't a huge problem. You may see some, although some is an overstatement.. You may see one.. is more like it. Typically when they see you, they bolt. However I have had a few eye me from a distance before, and I did exactly what you said, simply talked loudly. As a side note, if you smell a bear (which they smell quite strong and musty to me) you may try singing aong as you move along. Be careful with this however, for if you happen apon some other folks, they may wonder why you're singing so loudly, and if you try to explain that you thought you smelled a bear and were try ing to anounce your presence as to not startle him, they may really think you're really nuts... From past experience, just tell them you really like the song...it goes over better

[jeffnles1]

A side benefit to singing loudly and talking to yourself it is increases the chances you'll have the stream to yourself.

Jeff

[flyman]

Always go with someone you can outrun

[JimmyC]

I had a few bear run-ins while on the middle prong (LPR) last year. They were scraggly, with the exception of one mama and cub... but don't worry too much about bears, they're timid and shy. They'll usually go the other way before you do. If you run into a cub, though... best to go the other way yourself.

On a side note, I've seen a huge grizzly dropped in mid charge with the spray ... well, OK, it was on a video in Cody, WYO, but I saw it! I'd say it'll do the trick on just about anything (even the people singing and talking loudly!).

[cardfly]

Is there a certain kind of "bear spray" that anyone recommends? because you wouldn't want to hear me sing.......

[Brian Griffing]

There's a saying back in Montana...
It's easy to tell the difference between black bear scat and grizzly scat. The black bear scat is small, packed tight, and full of berries. The grizzly scat is much larger and smells like pepper spray.

[rainshaker]

Recently, I saw a program on the National Geogrphic Channel, called A Man Among Bears. It was about Bear expert Ben Kilham and his 12year study of Black Bear behavior. Very Interesting stuff... If you go to:


http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/


you can search the program title and find out when it might air again.

[sammcdonald]

i prefer right guard spray for bears...stops that smelly, musty odor quick...so i don't have to sing and scare all the other critters.
p.s.....it doesn't work on river otters who make bears smell like roses.

[bamafisherlady]

I've heard a few people sing (not to name any names)who could probably ACTUALLY scare a bear away by their singing voice alone! Works with people too; half of 'em, quit the choir when I joined!

I always carry to "cop size" mace when I go into the wood, you know, just in case the bear can't tell the difference in melodious keys.