RSS
Home
Safe Travel in Bear Country
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
There is an old Native American saying, "If a pine needle falls in the forest, the eagle saw it. The deer heard it. The bear smelled it." This is the crux of what we will be covering in this article when we talk about bears and bear safety and that is the one crucial, pivotal point that we will always return to regarding bears: bear attractants. Bears are attracted by food smells, chemical odors and even unfamiliar odors.
People who consider themselves bear experts and investigators have been debating 13 August 1967, "The Night of the Grizzlies" when two 19 year old women were attacked and killed by separate bears on the same night although their sites of the attacks were only a few miles away from each other. What were the environmental factors for the two attacks? It was a very dry season. There had been lightning storms with no rain. But the answers are much simpler. The bears had grown accustomed to humans and feeding around humans and they associated humans with food. Plus it was night -- the time when bears rule and then there is the factor of bear attractants -- cosmetics, chewing gum and other items that exhibit odors that attracted the bears and the fact that one of the young women was menstruating may have also contributed to the attacks as well as the fact that the campers involved in the attacks were sleeping out under the stars -- a definite mistake in bear country as we shall see in this article.
Let's breakdown bear/human encounters into two categories. The first category is Provoked Encounters: 1. Feeding or baiting bears (including improper food/garbage storage). 2. Bears attracted by odors of human foods, garbage, other, etc. 3. Bears attracted to humans having learned they are a food source. 4. Surprising a bear. 5. Crowding or encroaching into bear space. Bears will protect food and cubs or will react when cornered or trapped.
Second category: Unprovoked Encounters. 1. Bears compete with each other over territory and this forces some bears into closer proximity with humans. 2. Predation. 3. There is documentation of black bears preying on and killing humans.
Now we are at a good understanding of some of the causes of bear/human encounters and attacks. Here are the basic causes of bear attacks: 1. Food attractants. 2. Surprising a bear. 3. Encroaching on bear space.* 4. Threatening or appearing to threaten cubs. *Bear space may be 20 feet or a quarter mile depending on the circumstances.
Bears will protect food. A sow (female bear) with cubs at an animal carcass? Double jeopardy. A sow with cubs is the most dangerous bear and nothing prompts a full blown charge more quickly than a cubs bawl. Bears charge at 30-35 miles per hour and that is faster than you can react and get to an escape tree.
.jpg)
L to R Wolf, Grizzly and Black Bear Tracks (note car key)
Okay, let's get to how we can protect ourselves in bear country. Know the area you are visiting and gather as much information as you can to learn about the bears in that area. Aggressively seek information from books, agencies, fish and game departments, videos and experienced travelers. Have they had encounters? How could they have been avoided. The more you know the better your chances of avoiding trouble. http://www.bearplanet.org/
.jpg)
Learn bear signs which are the many ways bears use to communicate with other bears. If you see tracks, tree rubbings, bark torn off, trees pushed over, bite marks on trees or buildings, scat (feces) or urination, day beds and ground pawing all are signs: there are bears in the area! What is the most sure bear sign? Seeing a bear!
How you travel or lodge makes a difference on how to be safe. Food security certainly is somewhat different in a lodge than at a campsite. Attitude is very important and talk among your travel group because one person's carelessness or inconsideration can endanger everyone else in the group.
Prevention
Do not carry fresh food. Do not carry highly odorous food like bacon, sausage, fish, cheese, or fresh meat. Freeze dried foods in a cook-in-pouch are odor free and there are no left overs or pots and pans. Pack foods air tight in zip-lock bags. Use smaller portions -- no leftovers! Keep exteriors of food packaging clean. Do not fry food. Never bring bird feeders or bird feed. Dogs are problems: if not controlled they will wander into the woods, make contact with a bear and bring him home to you. Pet food will also attract a bear. Cooking equipment even if clean will still have food odors to attract bears: ice chests, coolers, thermoses, cooking and eating utensils and pots and pans, and grills, and hibachis. Use a petroleum fired stove instead of a campfire. Properly store food. There are bear-resistant containers and hang food and backpacks from high tree branches. All food and garbage storage and cooking areas should be 100 yards downwind from the sleeping areas and do not sleep in clothes you cooked in. Use caution when approaching food area. No food in sleeping area including gum. Keep a flashlight close by. Do not dispose of garbage in latrine areas because you do not want bears there!
All garbage attracts bears. Dishwater attracts bears. Dispose of garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters if available and evaporate dishwater near the campfire. Tent, clothing, sleeping bags, pails, packs, picnic tables all attract bears so keep everything clean. Wash well before bedtime and reduce the use of aromatic toiletries. http://www.glacier-national-park-travel-guide.com/grizzly-bear-attack.html
Do not camp under the stars. Hard-sided camping is preferable to soft-sided in bear country. Have your tent or camper exit near and facing escape trees. Choose open areas (no dense woods) with a few escape trees with low branches for climbing. Do not travel alone and travel light as less fatigue will allow you to have keener senses. Make noise: talk, clap, sing, whistle, use pebble cans or a musical instrument (I'm thinking pack guitar or harmonica, recorder, etc. How about a radio?) Stay in good physical condition.
Hunting
Remove carcass from the area as soon as possible! Dogs cause problems. Be alert and always have good visibility around you. Avoid gut piles and do not leave gut piles. Secure carcasses 100 yards from your camp. Binoculars help you identify bears. http://www.hunter-ed.com/mt/course/ch9_be_bear_aware.htm
Here are some basic principles to help you stay safe and then we'll get out of here. Plan your trip, get information about bears, be mentally alert and accept the risks of being in bear country. Do not surprise a bear and NEVER feed a bear or approach a bear for any reason. Control bear attractants (odors). Recognize bear signs and if you see a bear or if a bear arrives LEAVE THE AREA! Do not stop along the trail or camp where there are bear signs. Keep vehicle windows rolled up. If you come to a camp site with poor bear discipline do not stay there. Avoid areas of high bear traffic like berry fields and do not camp adjacent to bear trails or travel routes: streams. lakes, ponds, etc. Avoid camps previously ransacked by a bear.
If a bear sees you keep the bear in sight and detour widely around the area or turn back if necessary. Do not run and look for climbable trees or go to a vehicle or building. If you climb a tree you must go at least ten feet up the tree. If you see a sow with cubs leave the area immediately.
If attacked or charged do not run, stay together as a group, avoid eye contact with the bear, give the bear space and leave the area! Black bears are known to respond and retreat to mild aggressive behavior like waving the arms or shouting. Throw an object: gloves, jacket, hat, cup, camera, etc. as a diversion and back away.
"Playing dead" is used in the event that you are actually attacked by a grizzly bear. Keep your pack on to protect your back. Bring your legs up to your chest and touch your forehead to your knees while protecting your face with your forearms. Clasp your hands, fingers interlocked behind your neck. Remain silent and still. If the bear swats you roll with the blow and maintain your cannonball position. If the bear seems to leave wait at least 20 minutes to an hour until you are sure the bear is gone. If you move, even just an eyelid, the bear will see this and return.
I know this seems like a lot and it is and there are books to read about bear safety so check some out. The are also bear repellents. Report any encounters you might have with bears to the proper authorities. So Good Luck in Bear Country and Have A Safe Trip! Happy Fourth of July! See you on Monday!! http://www.safetygearhq.com/bearspray.htm http://www.glacier-national-park-travel-guide.com/bear-repellent.html http://www.examiner.com/x-10832-Billings-Sightseeing-Examiner~y2009m7d1-The-Montana-Grizzly
Gregan Wortmann
I am bear, here me roar!
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
Single, married or something in between? Find what you need for Valentine's Day.
