Maria_H

One of my colleagues, knowing I have less than 2 weeks 'til our trip to the Rockies, kindly pointed out a news article showing that someone was recently killed in the Banff national park by a grizzly bear.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...644171,00.html

Now I don't want to get this out of perspective, I'm sure many more people are killed in road accidents - but I understand the dangers of cars. I won't be out looking for bears but what is the best way to act if you do see a bear?

ltt

always make some noise when hiking through the bush - bells on your backpack is a good idea. if you see a bear, just back up slowly the way you came. they (they "experts" on the news today) say that if you are attacked by a black bear, you should try to fight it, punch it in the nose. if it is a grizzly that attacks, play dead. i've been to the mountains hundreds of times. only saw the back end of a bear once as he ran away from us.

laverendrye

Here's an article from today's Globe and Mail on the recent tragic incident at Canmore, with suggestions on how to react when meeting a bear:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...tory/National/

bob_brown

First, no body knows what to do when a male grizzly comes after him or her.

Second, I love that advice in the Globe and Mail article: remain calm - particularly while being mauled to death.

The bottom line is simple: keep the h... out of the way if you can, and pray if you cannot.

Yes, running does incite them it seems.

As for the bear bells, total joke.
A little jingling bell is going to frighten a male grizzly?

I have had a couple of close encounters with grizzlies and I don't want another one, ever. (Close being defined as nothing between me and the bear but open space and a clear sight line. Fortunately food for the bear took priority and I was able to back away, probably a lot more quickly than the "book" suggests.)

What astounds me is that the authorities were not more concerned after the bear returned from his deportation. In Yellowstone and Glacier, those types of bears are regarded as the most dangerous ones.

Not only do they return to populated areas, but often they have become habituated to humans.

The same behavior in wolves is grounds for permanent dismissal.

semiramis

Another site with good info re bears:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/nt/nahanni/visit/visit8_e.asp

semiramis

"The same behavior in wolves is grounds for permanent dismissal. "

Not in Canada. In Algonquin park in Ontario, wolves have lived for years near people. I do not recollect any reported attacks on humans. Plenty of attacks on wolves by misguided humans though.
grizzlies and wolves - VERY different animals. The threat of wolf attack is virtually nil - for grizzlies on the other hand we are just another item lower on the food chain. Unfortunately we are sometimes in THEIR territory and therefore a potential nature's buffet item or just an annoyance to be disposed of. Therefore grizzlies should be avoided at all costs. Black bears are (mostly) not quite as big a threat. I have encountered them twice in Ontario - move away slowly and try to look big - no mean feat when you are only 5 feet tall. My big pack helps.

ltt

the purpose of bells on backpacks is not frighten the bears it is so they know someone/thing is approaching so they won't be startled.

WanderingRose

A most tragic story -- I feel for her family & daughter! My hubby always says..."If *he* has to go some way, he'd rather it be while out enjoying nature & w/nature being itself."

But, I just can't join his philosophy when it comes to animal attacks! ;-)
(Find them most frightful.)

I'm amazed we've hiked as much as we have in the Rockies (Banff/Jasper/Glacier, MT) w/my reticence over the bears.

Every time we're going...I come across such stories, so I can relate to the thread writer here. It's like "Oh great. Thanks for sharing!" ;-)

Before we went to Glacier MT a few years back, one of the hotel employees had been killed, in fact! (by a bear) We went in Aug...the attack was late May, however.

Since we're now going the earliest we ever have to these mtns, I do worry a bit that the bears are more depleted from the winter, cranky & 'ranging'. (vs fall when they seem SO focused on eating those berries!) ;-)

Also, more likelihood of coming across a new mother, feeling a need to protect. So...I'm now having mixed feelings about our plans. :-{

I KNOW that the odds are so very small. But, I hate to constantly be worrying about it while hiking. We do shout...but, often feel like we're the only ones doing any of that. :-\

I suppose the teahouse hikes at Lake Louise have enough people on them, that there probably is little worry along them? But, I do wonder about hikes along the Parkway that have been recommended (eg Parker Ridge? Bow Lake/Falls? Wilcox?)

Also, Moraine Lake & others near Lake O'hara.

Sigh...if it only were easier to walk in groups, but as Bob has mentioned before, that never seems to work.

Actually, I'd love it if the Parks system offered more guided walks/hikes, but they seem few & far between in Canada. (I found many more in Glacier, MT)

Just 'venting' here as I face my own bear fears, as well. I think they are just beautiful creatures, but still don't wish for any close viewing.

So far, have accidentally come across two BIG black bears while hiking...one made my husband's voice even go up an octave as it was VERY close to our pathway & didn't budge, like they're supposed to when they hear you. (Wrangell, AK)

Also, had a grizzly directly in our path in Denali, but were thankfully hiking w/ a decent-sized group. Even w/that, however, our guide backed us out, not wishing to possibly encounter the guy on our way back out.

At the time I was bummed, as we were JUST commencing on our day walk...heading into the trail. I wondered why she'd be SO cautious when the bear moved off trail & we were at least 10 people. But, now after reading yet another story, here...I understand more. :-\

And, here there were even three people...I would have thought that MIGHT help?? Guess, it needs to be more like 6, eh?

gdm

I have had fair experience with black bears in the bush in B.C. and my father was charged twice by one(scared off by gunshots). My mother occasionally has grizzly families roaming the back forty at her place north of Quesnel, but I haven't seen any on my visits, and have no experience with them. Bears are beautiful enough but the thing I don't like about them is that they only have two states of mind - docile and berserk - and there is no warning before they switch.

Anyway, here's my two cents worth:
Bear bells do work - bears HATE to be surprised, and/or cornered, and I wear them all the time when I'm hiking at my mom's ranch.
If you do run into one, back away from it steadily without making eye contact. Make yourself big and move slowly. Make some noise. Don't run! It will catch you!
Don't hike with an agressive dog - an angry bear will chase them - back to you.
Carry bear spray, though a gunshot over their heads works best.
Black bears will false charge you a couple of times, giving you a chance to back out.
Gruesome facts regarding whether or not to play dead: A black bear might eat you on the spot, starting with hamstrings and then your belly - so don't play dead. Grizzlies stash dead bodies for later - so play dead.

HOwever, it really is *extremely* unlikely that you will find yourself in any danger from a bear. You will probably see all sorts of other wildlife, safely and from a distance.

Have a great trip, Banff is a spectacular place.
GDM