Please help to educate a Florida girl who's only had to worry about alligators, but certainly not bears.
Do any of you go on your hikes with those bear bells attached to your hiking shoes? I'm thinking of my three kids here, and am contemplating getting some for them. Especially for the 5 yr old who overheard a conversation I had about bears and is now worried.

My husband refuses to wear a bell because he thinks only wimps do that. So I wear his bell as well as my own. The bells are much smaller versions of the bells that cows wear in Switzerland. They're on a string that one wears like a necklace.

The purpose of the bells is to make a noise so that a bear will be aware of one's presence in the forest. Supposedly the average bear is shy of humans and will actually get out of the way if it knows that humans are approaching. One does not want to walk through the forest quietly, as that may take a bear by surprise. A surprised bear may feel threatened, and may behave aggressively. I suppose bells attached to one's shoes would serve the purpose just as well as the kind one wears around one's neck.

In reality your kids' chatter might be as effective as bells.

I've very occasionaly seen bear notices posted at the start of a trail when park rangers have seen bears, or have been informed by members of the public who have spotted bears. I don't go on any trail that has a bear notice posted on it.

When you enter the national park gates, you'll be given a bear information package. It's a good idea to read it, and follow its advice.

Canada's a huge country, and the chances of coming across an annoyed bear are very, very slim.

You can tell the little kid that there is nothing to worry about.

That said, there was a story in the paper the other day about a kid who got in a fight with a bear, because the bear thought there was food in the teenager's tent.

So if you are going camping, there are a few rules to follow, like don't keep food in your tent.

Are you planning to visit? Where?

BAK

There's an ongoing debate about the merits of using bells and whistles to scare away bear. I have heard the former refered to as "dinner bells". And rangers informed us that whistles actually attract bear because they think that the sound is made by whistling marmots. They suggested talking loudly or clapping.

Here is Parks Canada's advice on bears. This is a pretty comprehensive web page on the topic.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/visit12_e.asp

We are spending a month in B.C. Two weeks based in Radium Hot Springs and two weeks based out of The Beaverfoot Lodge in Golden. My understanding of the Beaverfoot is that it's kind-of out away from everything.
You're right Judy, I can't imagine my boys actually being quiet! When I told my son (aka: the little kid ) about the bear bells, he seemed quite reassured that a bell on his hiking boot might scare off a bear ~ from the perspective of a five year old.
Thanks for that link from the Park service. Interesting advice on it. "Remain calm"...can't imagine how difficult that would be!
We had whistles from a past trip to the Smokeys. Guess we'll leave them home.
Can you purchase those shoe bear bells at the local Walmart in your area? Or is this something I should get before I travel up that way. I'd have to buy them online, b/c our Walmart doesn't begin to have them.
The bear spray as well. A while ago, I read an advertisement from a bear spray company. Showed the guy covered in blood from his actual bear encounter. Hmmm???
Anyway, the spray was quite expensive and it says it differs from regular mace. Is that correct and is it terribly expensive locally?

Hiking in the Lake Louise area last year, my husband and I found a number of trails posted for bear sitings. Hikers were allowed on the trails, but only in groups of six. This meant that we had to either wait until a group formed or choose a different trail.

We were advised that, even on trails where hikers weren't restricted to larger groups, that didn't mean there weren't bears; the trails weren't posted because they weren't heavily hiked. Or,conversely, there was such a flow of humanity that bears would likely be scared off. At least that's what we were told.

I wasn't clear. I meant to say that SOME trails had bear sightings, but weren't restricted. I would ask at the ranger station where they would advise hiking if bears are a concern.

Have to agree with BAK though. Odds are overwhemingly in your favor that you won't encounter a bear, much less be attacked. Still, with little ones, it's smart to be cautious. Happy hiking!

We put bera bells on our packs and then each of us has a whistle as well. Whistles are especially good for the kids in that if they get separated/lost they can stay in one place and blow it to attract help. And yes, bear spray is different than mace. I have not used it yet, but have heard from friends that frequent bear country that it is a must to have.

Last summer when we were in Lake Louise one trail was closed for a day or so as a mother bear and cubs decided to frolick on the trail. We went a couple days later and had no problem.

Hibiscushouse, since you don't know your way around Calgary, a city of just under 1 million, and I imagine you'd want to be on your way to the mountains as soon as possible after your arrival, I don't recommend you try to find your defensive gear against bears here.

Banff is a much smaller town in which it's a lot easier to explore the compact main street area. I believe an outdoor equipment store, e.g., Mountain Magic Equipment (ironically located at 224 Bear Street, Banff) would have what you're looking for. If I were you I'd buy the stuff there.

You must realize that in Golden and Radium you will be in bear country, and that human encounters with bears are not uncommon. This is not downtown Toronto, or Vancouver for that matter.

Having said that, if you are aware and take the precautions advised by such sources as Parks Canada, you should be fine. Don't let the fear of bears keep you away from hiking. Keep yourself informed--the staff at your lodge should be knowledable about bears in your vicinity.

You might want to look at a couple of websites for more information:
http://www.cmiae.org/hike-bear.htm
and http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/eeeb/info/bearaware/home/

I don't know about how effective bells are, but noise will certainly help. (There's an old joke about bells and bear scat.)

Enjoy your visit to B.C. Don't worry, but don't dismiss the idea that you may encounter a bear.

Just about any shop in the Canadian Rockies will have bear bells to sell, especially the shops in the tourist towns.

We had an encounter with a pair of black bears in Waterton National Park one June; they were between us and the trailhead, with no detour options available. Bells didn't faze them. A Fox 40 police whitsle didn't faze them. My singing "Brand New Key" at the top of my lungs, deliberately off-key, moved them off the trail and into the woods so we could very carefully get past their "hanging-out area du jour" and back to our car. When we reported the sighting to the park Rangers, they said singing was exactly the right thing to do, as the human voice is not something that can be mistaken. So, if you sing hiking songs as you trek, you should give all the wildlife plenty of warning.

Laverendrye, I know I'll be in bear country. 'Tis why I'm asking. Thank you for the links.
Don't worry, we're not traveling all that way to not go out hiking! We'll just be the singing, bell ringing, children chattering, hiking family.
Our eyes will be open to the slim chance that we may encounter one, and what to do if that is the case. The web sites you all have suggested have educated me on what to look out for to identify if one has been around recently. That was helpful.
Many common sense rules apply to the bears and their habitat similar to that of the alligators around here.
I really just wanted to know if the shoe bells were recommended and readily available around where we will be visiting. One less thing to have to pack. Sounds like I'll have no problem purchasing them locally. Thanks for the answers.

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound pedantic or patronizing, but some posts seemed to minimize the potential of your meeting up with a bear.

Enjoy your trip. I'm sure you'll be a merry band with your singing, bells, and chatter.

Hibiscushouse, if your 5 year old is nervous out about bears, and feels anxious that something concrete be done to prepare for your trip, perhaps you could buy a cat bell to tie to each of his shoes. Pet supply stores carry them. I mean this only from the point of view of providing him with emotional reassurance, if you think he needs it, not because you need to rush out and buy bells from an objective point of view.

The cat bells came to me as an afterthought when I remembered the bell we'd placed on the collar of the cat who used to be our family's companion. We did this in an effort to give the birds in our back yard a fair shake.

Those little tinky bear bells are worthless as far as keeping bears away.
They do make good trinkets to bring home.

My own take on it is that the pitiful little sound made by bear bells would be more liable to attract bears because they became curious about that pitiful little noise.

If you are that concerned about bears, I suggest getting an old fashioned dinner bell and ring the heck out of it constantly as you walk. I can assure you absolute privacy on the trail. Neither bears nor hikers will be within 100 yards of you.

The bear habitat areas, such as in Yoho Park, are marked and even restricted. I have yet to see a bear in Canada other than a black bear and her 3 cubs in Waterton.

Are you serious, Bob - not even on the sides of the highways or did you just mean on trails? I think I've seen bears every time I've been through the Rockies (and quite often in Manning Park), except the last time.

"I have yet to see a bear in Canada other than a black bear and her 3 cubs in Waterton."

Well Bob you haven't seen very much of Canada's outdoors!
Darned little in fact.

A few years ago several coworkers who were avid hikers were having a discussion. All had seen bears at some point in their many hikes in BC, but did not have any direct encounters. It couldn't be a huge problem. It's extremely rare to hear of an attack reported in BC - I can't think of one recently at all.

Dear Willtravel: Most repsonses mention BC, so I guess that's where you'll be headed. Yes, BC has lots and lots of bears, but I've only seen a few in all my years visiting Canada, and then mostly only a glimpse. Most trails you'll be hiking with kids will be traveled by other hikers and the danger factor is extremely minimal. Having bells on the kids's shoes may not be worth it if it'll just spook them. Talking, laughing, and whistling work just fine.
Ironically, I was born and raised in Fla and have seen many more bears in central Florida's state or national forests than I've ever seen in Canada. Don't worry about it and have fun!