Olive Oyl, if I see a bear not in a zoo I'd drop dead without playing!

You can buy "bear bells" in many stores in Alaska and I never went hiking without them. The only bears I saw were a good distance away.

Wow, never imagined my little question generated so much fun!

What is the odd for bear encounter in Denali NP?

It depends. We were in alaska last summer and the locals told us that if we went on hikes just to talk a lot and be loud the whole time. Bears will hear you and run away way before you even see them.

Bear spray does work..... absolutely. And, it has been documented many times including one last week in the Anchorage Daily News.

Readers Digest Version: Experienced hiker and his wife were charged by a sow at CLOSE range when they ended up between her and her cub. This would have led to a certain physical contact had the hiker not used his spray or had a gun....and used it with skill and luck.

Spray eliminates much of the luck portion of the equasion since it sprays out in a curtain of up to 30 feet wide.

This particular encounter is amazing in that NO ONE would likely stop a sow in this situation...... defending her cub, they WILL fight to the death. Yet, for the first time in Alaska, if not in the history of bear attacks, a can of spray stopped an enraged mother. And, not only stopped her, but sent her running in the opposite direction from 20 feet!

The upside to spray is that it is non-lethal, small (easy to carry), and has a proven track record.

The downside to spray is that to surprise a bear, you are probably walking into the wind. Which means you might spray yourself.

I still pack a gun when hiking because I trust a bullet to travel better than a mist. But, there are many many times, when at 35 mph through the brush, from 20 yards away, the hiker does not have time to even shoulder his weapon much less see anything other than exploding trees coming his/her way. Being able to spray a barrier (no pun intended) would be very handy in such circumstance. That is to say, guns require a line of sight to be effective, and bear spray just requires you aim in the general direction of the incoming train.

From the same story, the experienced hiker and his wife both said that they KNEW not to be so quiet when traveling in the deeper brush. The truth is, had they practiced a bit of the noise they knew to make, they probably would not have had to spray the bear or wash their shorts that day.

How loud is the bear bell? I like animals and would love to see some during hiking. Will the bell be so loud so that no animal will be left in sight? If so, is there any better noise maker with the proper loudness?

Thanks!

Bears aside, do you REALLY want to encounter a moose, bison, cougar, etc while hiking?

Moose are among the most ill-tempered animals in the American West. Bison attack many more people in Yellowstone every year than do bears. And while cougar encounters are very rare, they are one of the few animals that will actually stalk a human.

Remember: as soon as you hike 100 yards from your vehicle, you've entered the food chain.

Chances are very good that all animals will hear, and smell, you well before you catch a glimpse of them. The bear bell is just a little more insurance.

In Denali, you WILL see wildlife. Just don't think you can mingle with it.

Where can I buy Bear Bell and Bear Spray?

To Cheerful,

Sporting good stores carry it. Especially near areas where there will be bear activity.

Utahtea

Cheerful - skip the bear bells - completely useless. Much better to talk loud, sing, etc. I grew up backpacking and hiking in MT and as other posters mentioned, the best thing to do is hike in groups, be loud, and be AWARE. My scariest moments have been when I wasn't paying attention and unintentionally startled an animal. Which could be a bear, elk, deer, moose, etc. Incidently, the worst was with a moose that charged us when we startled it and her calf. I always carry spray but make sure you know how to use it and have it at immediate reach - by the time you reach for it hanging on a backpack, it's probably too late to do any good. P.S. - spray has been shown to successfully drive away moose :)

Can't find any bear spray in any store near me (east coast). Any store I can buy in Anchorage, Seward or Fairbanks?

Is there a website teaching how to use it?

Thanks!

There's been a bear frequently my neighborhood lately. From what he's been doing, I doubt there are many berries or squirrel furs in his poop! This guys' been eating out of the Ski Tip Lodge's dumpster. At least he has good taste.

CHEERFUL
The best you can buy imho is a brand called counter assault.
Be sure to also purchase the holster to attach to your belt or backpack. Insructions for use are printed on the can. Read BEFORE leaving on a hike. The can will completly empty in 7 seconds--enough time to confuse ms. grizzly and make your getaway. Blackbears can be scared away by yelling etc. but don't take a chance. Use spray on it also.
Couldn't find a web sight for counter assault but a search on google found lots of bear spray links.
Counter assault phone number is
406 257 4740. I'm sure if you call them they could give you the name of a retailer in your area or where you intend to hike.
Happy trails and get that spray!!!

CHEERFUL
Hey, I just found their web site
www.counterassault.com

Thanks for the great info. But time is running out for me and it is too late to order online (unless I want to pay some outrageous shipping). Can I find it in Anchorage or Seward? Thanks!

I don't have a source for you, sorry. But I'm thinking that you'll be able to get bear spray at any outfitter that specializes in hiking & camping equip, etc, both in Seward and Anchorage.

Don't know where you're coming from, but I've seen articles online that mention the purchase of bear spray in other states besides Alaska, again at shops that specialize in camping, hiking, etc.

If you do manage to get some spray before you arrive in AK, make sure if you're flying there, that you keep it in its original sealed container, and that you put it in your checked luggage. That stuff can be dangerous, and it might be confiscated if it's found in your carry-on.

Have an awesome trip!