Re: [Paddlewise] Bear Spray: was Canadian Customs

Clyde S. Wrote,

>On another note, what are normal measures for protecting oneself from bears
>in the 'north country'.  Obiously, avoidence is #1, hang your food high on a
>skinny branch, 

My group never hangs food any more.  We use bear caches when available (not
often in the areas where we paddle), and when there are no caches just
spread it out (sealed up to reduce smell as much as possible) in three or
four different packs spaced 50-100 feet apart on the ground (theory that
the bear won't find it all if he does get some (haven't gotten any yet).
We've done the "skinny branch" thing before and found it on the ground in
the morning because the branch broke overnight.  

>don't take food or your cooking clothes into the tent.  

We don't worry too much about the cooking clothing into the tent (might be
smart not to, though, especially in known bad bear areas -- we aren't into
real aromatic meals either), and we don't ever take food into our tent,
certainly don't store it there.  The latter is as much for ground squirrels
and other small animals as it is for bears.  The little guys are
everywhere, and worse in populated campgrounds, because they get fed by the
tourists and expect it from you.  

>My belief is polar bears will stalk and eat you and that grizzly and Kodiak
>bears will normally try to avoid you (unless they're hungry?).

I've never been in polar bear country, but have been told that they are the
nastiest, because to a polar bear, anything that moves is food.  I believe
it, but have no plans for checking it out any time soon.  Been in grizzly
country (even seen a few, not close), but have not had a problem yet.  Not
been in Kodiak country, but do plan on getting there sometime in the next
few years.  

>In Kabloona, Victoria talked about bear spray, an air horn, a shotgun and a
>flare gun with normal flares and noisemakers.  I hadn't heard of the noise
>makers before.

Lot of people carry "bear bangers."  We've had them, not had to use them.
I do know people who have, and they've worked for them.  

>She also talked about setting up a sort of perimeter defense with some kind
>of noise makers hanging from lines that would rattle if a bear banged into
>them at night.  a) I don't know if I'd hear something like that, and b)
>don't know if I'd have time to focus and react.

I wouldn't bother with that sort of perimeter defense.  I'd consider it too
much work setting up for the little bit of chance that it might tip you off
(and agree with you that I probably wouldn't even hear it).  

Anyone that doesn't live through an encounter, please post to the list and
let us know where you went wrong.  <grin>

Hank Hays



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