What's that up ahead? A BEAR!! How to be prepared and stay safe.
I have done alot of hiking and never had a bad bear encounters even if I have spotted many bears while hiking/biking. However, it is better to be safe and wise to educate yourself and be prepared if ever in a scary situation.
Top Ten Bear Safety Tips
Here's some of the top things this Alaska Chick thought were interesting and good advice regarding bears.
1) Give kids a whistle to blow every 100 feet in dense/low visibility areas to not surprise a bear. (adults too)
2) "Bear bells" are not effective unless running or biking because they are not loud enough when you're just walking.
3) Loose dogs often brings bears back to you.
4) Practice using your Bear Spray. Use old expired cans to get used to how far they spray, etc. Cabelas' sells an inert cans to practice with. Use short bursts until the bear retreats. You don't want to use it all too quickly because you might need to use it again. Bass Pro Shop has them on sale $29.97
5) Multiple people in your group should have Bear Spray. (even a 5/6 year old can be trained to use it). Store according to the instructions (too hot or freezing can sometimes damage the product effectiveness). Works well on dogs, aggressive moose, and bad humans.
6) Your spray must be accessible within seconds if you encounter a bear. Don't use snaps over the top of the can (if your holster has one cut it off). Never put it in your pack. Carry it in your hand in dense/low visibility/high bear likelihood.
7) There is safety in numbers when hiking, the larger your group the less likely you will have a problem. Stand shoulder to shoulder to "look big" to deter a bear if it wants to approach you.
8) Never Run from a bear (obvious) but also don't turn your back on the bear. Walk slowly away backing up.
9) When mountain biking you can transform an old water bottle into a Bear Spray holder by cutting off the top. Might need padding or duck tape to keep it from rattling. Then just put it in your bottle cage. You can also get a velcro water bottle holder to mount near the handlebars.
10) If you are going to carry a gun you must practice using a gun quickly and accurately as a last resort. Even sharp shooters find that a charging bear can lead to dropping or missing the fast moving bear.
This is meant to add to your knowledge. There is tons of information about bear habitat, types of bears, setting up a bear smart camp, cooking so as to not attract bears, and bear behavior.
1) Give kids a whistle to blow every 100 feet in dense/low visibility areas to not surprise a bear. (adults too)
2) "Bear bells" are not effective unless running or biking because they are not loud enough when you're just walking.
3) Loose dogs often brings bears back to you.
4) Practice using your Bear Spray. Use old expired cans to get used to how far they spray, etc. Cabelas' sells an inert cans to practice with. Use short bursts until the bear retreats. You don't want to use it all too quickly because you might need to use it again. Bass Pro Shop has them on sale $29.97
5) Multiple people in your group should have Bear Spray. (even a 5/6 year old can be trained to use it). Store according to the instructions (too hot or freezing can sometimes damage the product effectiveness). Works well on dogs, aggressive moose, and bad humans.
6) Your spray must be accessible within seconds if you encounter a bear. Don't use snaps over the top of the can (if your holster has one cut it off). Never put it in your pack. Carry it in your hand in dense/low visibility/high bear likelihood.
7) There is safety in numbers when hiking, the larger your group the less likely you will have a problem. Stand shoulder to shoulder to "look big" to deter a bear if it wants to approach you.
8) Never Run from a bear (obvious) but also don't turn your back on the bear. Walk slowly away backing up.
9) When mountain biking you can transform an old water bottle into a Bear Spray holder by cutting off the top. Might need padding or duck tape to keep it from rattling. Then just put it in your bottle cage. You can also get a velcro water bottle holder to mount near the handlebars.
10) If you are going to carry a gun you must practice using a gun quickly and accurately as a last resort. Even sharp shooters find that a charging bear can lead to dropping or missing the fast moving bear.
This is meant to add to your knowledge. There is tons of information about bear habitat, types of bears, setting up a bear smart camp, cooking so as to not attract bears, and bear behavior.
Bear Spray Recommended : 10oz Counter Assault.
Upcoming Classes:
REI Bear Aware May 25, 2016 & June 8, 2016 Free, but you must register
Eagle River Nature Center May 29, 2016 Moose & Bear Safety for families.
Firearm classes Not specifically for bears, but you need to be fast and accurate in a high adrenaline situation.
Questions call Jim Holmes from Department of Fish and Game 907-267-2849
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| Bears are Dangerous and not nice like Pooh Bear, please educate yourself, but don't be scared to THRIVE OUTSIDE! |
Thankful also to NOLS with special notes taken from the
Gookin, John. NOLS Wilderness Educator Notebook. Lander, WY: National Outdoor Leadership School, 2015. 40+. Print.
Smith, Tom S., Stephen Herrero, Terry D. Debruyn, and James M. Wilder. "Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska." Journal of Wildlife Management 72.3 (2008): 640-45. Web.
Reed, Tom, and John Gookin. NOLS Bear Essentials: Hiking and Camping in Bear Country. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole, 2009. Print.
Smith, Dave. "Bear Spray vs Guns Argument Is "ridiculous," Says Bear Safety Expert." Examiner.com. Examiner.com, 15 Oct. 2012. Web. 11 May 2016.
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