Bear Preparations

We have been backpackers for many years. When you’re camping in the woods, miles from help with only a piece of fabric between you and whatever is out there, you study up on bears. We are headed to bear country so I though I would review.

I should also point out that as a kid I was taught the plural of deer is deer. The plural of bear is bear. That second one is not right. If I miss one, it’s an “s” forgive me..

Back to the topic, Usually bears only attack when they feel they or their young are threatened. Occasionally a hungry desperate male or bears that have been conditioned to think of humans as a food source will attack. The total number of recorded deaths from wild bear attacks in the US is 159 (11 polar bears, 66 black bears, 82 brown bears). That’s recorded deaths since we have been keeping records in the US. So not very many.

I have told friends that you never run from a bear. The backpacker saying is, food runs. Some people don’t listen and foolishly say, I only have to run faster than you. Sure, but I only have to step aside while the bear chases the food that’s trying to running away. But it’s best to not do stupid stuff to encounter the bear in the first place. This post is about not doing stupid stuff and being prepared if you do.

Bear Treats Left in Camp

(after I gathered them)

Leaving food or having food odors around camp is a needless way to attract trouble. If you’re in a campground you can expect that someone who camped there before you has taught the local bears that humans are a great food source. Attacks in campgrounds are the third most common scenario. If you camp in the back-country, like we do, you hope the local bears won’t see your camp as their grocery store. In an effort to not teach them, we pack all our food, trash, and scented toiletries in Aluboxes when we are not actively needing these items.

Alubox with Potential Delicious Bear Treats

At night, the Aluboxes are securely locked and left about 100-yards away from our camp. We look for a crevice in the rock or low spot that would be difficult for a large animal, like a bear, to roll the box away from. Alternatively we look for a clearing where the boxes will be easier to find in the morning. We don’t chain or tie them to a tree as a rope would be easy to chew through and a chain would not be good for the tree and I would rather look for my box than have the handles pulled off the box. If the boxes don’t smell, they shouldn’t attract any attention and if they do, they probably won’t go too far.

Backpackers hang their food in a tree, but we have too much food and it is usually really hard to find an appropriate tree for bear bagging.

We have a nice kitchen in our trailer, but you really shouldn’t cook in camp as animals will smell food and might decide to join you. You should cook at least 100 yards from your camp and not where you plan to leave your Aluboxes, or sleep. While you’re cooking, keep your bear spray close by and have your camp partner keep an eye out for critters. Once you are done cooking, clean up includes changing your clothes so you don’t smell like dinner.

Wastewater should be disposed of away from camp. We collect our wastewater in a bucket and carry it away from camp. If there is food in the wastewater we will bury it, but usually it is just soapy water. I like to wipe out our dishes with a paper towel before washing to save water. The paper towel goes in the trash, which will then go in the Alubox.

Bears are more attracted to bright colors. Time to get a different wastewater bucket!

When you’re on the trail, make noise and pay attention. Animals rightly know that people are trouble. Since they can’t call 911 if they have an accident, bears live their lives in a constant state of vigilance. Even small injuries can mean death for them.

When hiking through an open area it’s pretty easy to just pay attention and see what’s out there and enjoy the view. The problem comes when you’re hiking through brush where you can’t see what’s nearby. This is the most common scenario for bear attacks. If you talk, carry a pack that rattles, or simply call out often this will alert a bear to your presence. Most bears have the common sense to avoid humans. If you’re making noise, chances are they will move away and you will never know they were there. Cubs don’t have their mom’s experience and might not move away as fast an adult. So don’t run through the woods if you see a cub as you might be running towards Mom.

Dogs add another layer of danger. Dogs bark and act aggressively towards bears which antagonizes the bear. If you have a dog in the back-country keeping it on a leash and under control will greatly reduce the chance of an attack. If your dog is attacked by a bear, before you try to help your dog, consider what you’re going to do to help while not getting injured yourself. Or better yet, just leave the dog at home if you plan to hike in bear country.

Story time: While on a trail overlooking the Delaware Water Gap (that’s right, New Jersey), we were standing by a cliff quietly enjoying the view through an opening in the brush. When we turned to leave, three bears were looking at us. We had nowhere to go as there was heavy brush all around, a cliff behind us and three bears in front of us. So we calmly stood there and mom wandered off and sent her cubs up a tree. Then we continued down the trail. Actually, we all continued down the trail. Bears like to follow human trails as it is the easiest way to travel.

Whose fault was it that we encountered bears along the trail. I will take equal blame with bear-mom as we weren’t doing anything to tell her we were there. Apparently mom wasn’t paying attention either. But we didn’t act crazy so she didn’t panic and everyone was fine.

If the cubs had been on one side of us and mom on the other then we might have had a problem.

Black fight back - Brown stay down.

At least that’s the theory.

Male black bears mainly attack if they are hungry and desperate. Females tend to leave the area or send cubs up a tree. If you fight back they are more likely to decide you are not worth the effort or risk of injury and will leave sooner. Brown bears, grizzlies, may be protecting young. If you show that you aren’t a threat by playing dead, they are more likely to leave.

But how do you know if you’re about to be attacked. If I bear is standing on its back legs, it is probably trying to get a better view to decide if you are a threat. If they circle around you at a distance it might be an attempt to get more information about you without getting closer. You should try to back away. If the bear is huffing or swinging its head or popping its jaw, that’s aggression. Keep moving away and prepare to protect yourself as appropriate for the situation but don’t turn your back.

Regardless of whether you fight back or play dead, if a bear attacks you, your getting hurt. If you see a bear on the trial, try to de-escalate the situation. Back away if you can. Try to look as big as possible by spreading your jacket out, turning sideways so a big pack is more viable. If you are with someone, move closer to them as there is safety in numbers. But don’t act too aggressively while getting your bear spray ready. Looking a bear in the eye is considered aggressive. Don’t panic. OK you can panic, but don’t act like you’re panicking. The bear really want’s nothing to do with you. If a bear charges you, it might be a mock charge. It might still walk away without attacking. If it charges, aim your bear spray toward the bear’s face and slightly down. The ideal distance is 20 to 30 feet away from you. Bears run fast so you don’t really need to wait to spray. If the bear runs through the mist, it should do the trick.

If you are attacked by a black bear keep your pack on as it will provide some protection. Use any weapon you have walking sticks, rocks, or hands. Aim your blows to its face.

With a brown bear, again keep your pack on. Lie face down with legs spread wide to prevent the bear from flipping you over. Place your hands behind you neck, elbows out. Brown bears usually try to bite around the head or neck area so protect that area as much as you can. But avoid the attack by having bear spray ready and knowing how to use it.

If bear spray gets on your skin, you will need soap to get it off since it is an oil based compound. Make sure to put soap in your pack.

Check your bear spray before you go out to ensure it has not passed its expiration date. Old cans might not have sufficient propellant to do the job if needed. Notice I am assuming you will still have an old can of bear spray past it’s expiration date because you have been paying attention to your surroundings and making noise along the trail. Before leaving camp, determine a good location to carry your bear spray. You should have practice before you left home or camp and know how the can and holder work.

Once you have discharged from a can, you should replace the can of bear spray. It might still have a lot of repellent in it, but not have enough propellant to work. Once you have used a can, dispose of it properly by calling the local waste disposal company or asking at a nearby park. Then comply with their requirements.

People have asked if we are ‘packing.’ No we aren’t. If I get bear spray on me, I’ll be in pain but I’ll get over it. If I shoot a bear or another hiker, I will be thinking the bear would have been less trouble. And guns are heavy and awkward to carry while hiking. Having a gun doesn’t mean you are going to shoot a bear and kill it. The second most common things people are doing when attacked is hunting. Hunters are trying to not be seen or heard so they can sneak up on prey. Since they are trying to be sneaky, it is easy to see how a bear could be startled and attack a hunter.

When I have had a close encounters with a bear I try to consider what I did wrong or right. Usually what I have done wrong is not letting the bear know I was in the area. I’m in their territory, but not doing everything I can to avoid an encounter. In the past, what I have done right is keeping calm and moving away.

If someone gets injured by a bear on the trail it usually ends with the bear being euthanized. I don’t want that to be my fault. While in heavy brush, I like to yell, “Hey Bear!” blowing a whistle, talk, or clap occasionally. It’s an easy way to avoid conflict.

Do I sound nervous? Well, Alaska has a lot of grizzles.

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