Bears in Glacier National Park

Old Jul 1st, 2013, 04:27 PM
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Bears in Glacier National Park

Our family of 3 is going to do a 1st time trip from Wisconsin to Mt.Rushmore/Badlands to Grand Teton/Yellowstone National Park and then up Glacier National Park in a midsized rented one-piece RV. We will be on this circuit for approx the first 3 weeks of September '13.

Any general tips would be appreciated, but our main concern is bears at that time of the year. Any danger in that arena if we keep closely to the rules of the parks? We want to enjoy and relax at these places, not be always looking around at the prospect of danger.

Thanks for your help.
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Old Jul 1st, 2013, 04:48 PM
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Sept is a great time to be in Glacier - you should see lots of Bald Eagles on the river. But you do have to be alert to grizzly bear especially when taking hikes - even just short ones. I spent a summer as a naturalist in the park years ago and quickly learned that hiking in bear country is different and requires a little extra effort and vigilance.

Many folks like to purchase bear spray - I'd recommend it if you plan to do a good deal of hiking. Wearing small bells on your boots is not an effective deterrent. Clap your hands loudly, sing and yell regularly as you hike.

I spent practically every day hiking the backcountry while I was there (for 4 months) without a single grizz sighting (much to my disappointment). But saw several grizzlies in Yellowstone; one on my 2nd day there! So you will most likely have no problem but be sure to make noise and clap your hands a lot to warn the bear of your presence. Have a great time! Glacier is so beautiful.
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Old Jul 1st, 2013, 06:59 PM
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Certainly could see Grizzlies and/or Black Bears at Yellowstone and Tetons too. Buy Bear Spray. I even go so far as to buy 2 cans. You can hike in Ranger-Led tours. Far less likely to be attacked with numbers and the rangers almost always carry bear spray.
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Old Jul 1st, 2013, 07:00 PM
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A family of three?
You have nothing to worry about.
There has NEVER been a fatal bear attack in the Lower 48 when three or more people are together. EVER. The sight of such a "large animal" (bears have excellent smell and hearing, but bad eyesight) apparently scares off even the most aggressive bear.

Lone hikers and campers have died from bear attacks in Glacier and in Yellowstone.
But it's NEVER happened for a group of people together. EVER.
Practice "Bear Aware" tips and you'll reduce the odds of even an attack to (pretty much) zero.

You're in FAR more danger while driving than from bear attacks. Indeed, statistically, the most dangerous mammal you'll face in the great outdoors is a human hunter -- they kill far more people than do bears.

Good luck on seeing a bear in the wild -- it's been a thrill for me, each of the twenty or so times I've been so blessed as to see one!
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Old Jul 2nd, 2013, 03:18 AM
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There have been several near-fatal bear attacks in Glacier with 3 or more hiking. I've seen the piece on Roscoe Black(former owner of St. Mary's Lodge) several times on tv and there was 2 other people with him. 2 of them spent several weeks in the hospital

Here is a blog about all the non-fatal attacks in Glacier.

http://glacier.nationalparkschat.com...pic.php?t=3625
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Old Jul 2nd, 2013, 03:23 AM
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ica#Black_bear

Maybe there hasn't been a fatal bear attack while 3 people have been hiking but several while "3 people are together"

Fishing, Camping
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Old Jul 2nd, 2013, 04:34 AM
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Sharondi gives great advice. My husband and I have been miles out on a trail and never saw another person or bear and we've also hiked other busy trails and seen a bear 50 feet from the parking lot - so you just never know. Always carry bear spray and know how to use it and make sure you clap and shout out a lot.

http://www.hikinginglacier.com/glaci...park-bears.htm

You also mentioned you're driving an RV on your trip. The Going to the Sun Road which connects the east and west side of the park - and one of the most scenic drives in the country - has size restrictions on vehicles that can drive the road. If yours is too big, you should consider taking the red bus tours or the park shuttles so you don't miss one of the most beautiful parts of the park.

http://www.hikinginglacier.com/glaci...e-sun-road.htm
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Old Jul 2nd, 2013, 05:56 AM
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It's not so much the number of people as it is the size of the group....a single mother with 2 small children doesn't look nearly as imposing as 3 full-grown adult men.

And even with 3 people, they need to stay close together. It's very easy for one person to get ahead just a little bit and surprise a bear coming around a blind corner. That's really all it takes, even 20 feet apart is too much when there's limited sight lines.

So the advice about hiking in a group of 3 is valid as long as OP understands that they must remain in close enough proximity to each other so as to constitute a single large entity. And if a bear charges, they must stick together, make themselves look as big as possible by raising their arms, waving jackets, etc...if one person runs they are in trouble.
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Old Jul 10th, 2013, 08:06 AM
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TO PAULRABE:

Have you heard or read "The Night of the Grizzlies"??
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Old Jul 10th, 2013, 02:02 PM
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Bookmarking.
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Old Jul 10th, 2013, 04:57 PM
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I've watched a bit from The Night of Grizzlies on Youtube.
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Old Jul 10th, 2013, 08:39 PM
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Was there more than 3 people inthje one attack!!!!
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Old Jul 11th, 2013, 05:54 AM
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holy crap people!
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Old Jul 11th, 2013, 11:05 AM
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I thought that was 2 different attacks on the same night. The first deaths in Glacier?
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Old Jul 11th, 2013, 11:45 AM
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2 different attacks, one of which involved a group of campers (4-5) I think. I believe that's the point John was trying to make, larger groups aren't immune to being attacked. Although that attack occurred at night with the people in their separate tents...but it was unusual because the bear was right outside their campsite for hours and hours, apparently waiting for the right moment.
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Old Jul 11th, 2013, 12:47 PM
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Very strange. I guess the people had no idea the grizzlies were outside. Otherwise they would have made a lot of noise to alert and scare them off.

In general we are not grizzly's food. An attack would be rare unless the grizzly is surprised or a mother with cubs.
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Old Jul 11th, 2013, 01:03 PM
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Remember the young female trail guide, who warded off a grizzly attacking one of her young riders,, who was on horseback?? The grizzly spooked all the horses, then was singling out one young boy who was losing his seat on horseback. The guide made her huge horse charge the grizzly (miraculous that he did it for her). The grizzly circled around, came back for the boy, and the guide and her horse charged him again. The bear finally ran off.

Just to say, grizzly bears are notoriously unpredictable.
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Old Jul 11th, 2013, 02:26 PM
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John,

I'm flying into Calgary in 2 weeks. Spending my first day in Waterton and not doing any hiking. After I cross the border, where is the best place to buy bear spray? Assuming that having it a border crossing might present a problem. I plan on hiking Hidden Lake trail. Probably hike to Fishercap(we are staying at Many Glacier), maybe a couple of other short hikes. Then hiking Iceberg Lake on ranger-led tour. Not sure I really need it, but will have some just in case. The bad part, my wife is allergic to Capsacin(she cannot eat anything spicy-joints swell and rash-never been hospitalized with it, but close-it took us almost 4 years to figure out).
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Old Jul 11th, 2013, 05:02 PM
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Coming in from Canada, I'm pretty sure the camp store at Many Glacier would be your first opportunity to purchase. Otherwise, all visitor's center sell it in the book store section. Of course it is much cheaper in Kalispell, Whitefish or Hungry Horse but what you spend on gas to get there would off set the difference ☺ Probably wouldn't need it at Hidden Lake at Logan Pass but DEFINETLY carry and know how to use it at Iceberg Lake trail and most all trails in the Many Glacier area.
Happy trails!!
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Old Jul 11th, 2013, 05:12 PM
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TO SPIROBULLDOG Forgot to mention: Counter Assault spray, which is the most popular spray, contains 2% Capsacin!!
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