What do others do to be Bear Aware in Grand Tetons

[Silvr_Bullet]

Most with firearms really don’t know how they would react under the surprise in a little then perfect circumstances favoring the bear.

[Len n Jeanne]

Big coincidence? Two separate pairs of elk hunters in SW Montana were attacked by a grizzly earlier today. It's not clear if it was the same bear or two different ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx8Po85JOe8

The news story is also a pitch for bear spray. When one hunter was attacked, his buddy was able to spray the bear at close range and drive it off.

The news stories did not mention what sort of firearms the men were carrying but it seems they couldn't use them in time.

A wildlife officer who was interviewed made the point that bears are very active this time of year. They are trying to put on fat in preparation for hibernation.

The point was also made for folks who like the solitude of the hills that hikers should try to go in groups. In the unlikely event that someone is attacked, help is at hand.

Also, a group staying close together would make a more formidable target for a bear.

A bear standing on its hind legs and smelling the air is not in automatic attack mode, just trying to get the scent of an intruder. We had this happen last year when paddling in a narrow slough near our home, when we came upon a Mama cinnamon bear and two cubs. Nonetheless, we paddled the hell out of there ASAP.

Bears are majestic animals. When you see their faces, they look intelligent and often curious. (Yes, we've been close enough to see this.) Possibly the best way to see a bear's face at close range is inside a nice safe aluminum Airstream.

[Alreddawg19]

The biggest protection from a bear is to bring along a friend that you can outrun...

[Len n Jeanne]

..and don't like very much....

Sorry about the gruesome photo, folks-- I thought I was just posting a link. But it shows why you don't want a selfie with a grizzly.

While I get the joke, actually bears run faster than people, so trying to outrun one is not recommended. You might smell tastier than your friend. The best strategy if you encounter a bear at close range, assuming it's not trying to harm you in a split second, is to back away slowly, and speak in a soft tone of voice so it knows you are non-threatening. In keeping your eyes on it, don't stare directly at the bear's eyes, which it might read as aggressive.

[Information courtesy of a video accompanying a bear spray workshop we took at the Creston Wildlife Center and a mandatory video for backcountry campers in Glacier NP.]

Black bears are generally much more timid than grizzlies, especially the juveniles fending on their own before they mature fully. The mere sight of people can make them leave you alone, but a lot of loud noise will often do the trick if they're exploring your campsite. (Which we had happen when camping at the head of Kintla Lake in Glacier NP.)

[Jambnet]

We camped at Jenny Lake for a week Sept 2018 with our son and his family. While hiking, we noticed that everyone had a can of bear spray on their belt. We encountered several black bears without incident and without bear spray. While we were watching two bears on a hillside, a hiker was concerned that we had no spray to which we replied " we outnumber those bears 7 vs 2! Buy used or even get free spray as visitors leave the park. Most campground offices had a stash of partial propane and bear spray. NPS price for new was $40. Enjoy and respect the bears.

[John & Roberta]

When dealing with possums in the wall—really, sister's house with hole in floor under bathtub—I was told by animal control to use ammonia. That got me thinking. Now, every time I go into bear country, I carry pie tins and a jug of ammonia. Before I leave the truck for overnight hiking, I set out three pie tins with ammonia—one in the driver's side footwell, one inside the SnugTop shell and one under the truck on the passenger side.

A few years back when climbing Mount Whitney, this set-up spared my truck while other were molested at the Whitney Portal parking lot. Maybe it was the ammonia. Made a believer of me.

By the way, I'm looking for a one- or two-year-old Flying Cloud 28RB for two/three years of wandering about the country . . .

jgbailey

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Skunks live in a pretty large part of the US. Surprising one as you exit the door is *not* a good thing. I do have data on this ( at home, not in the RV ). Keeping a clean and tidy campsite is not just about bears .....

Bob

[SilverWind]

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