Re: [Paddlewise] Bear Warnings

From: Chuck Holst <CHUCK_at_multitech.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 10:24:35 -0600
>>
Passed on by a friend in Colorado:

In light of the rising frequency of human-grizzly bear conflicts, the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is advising hikers, hunters,   and
fishermen to take extra precautions to keep alert for bears while in he
field.
"We advise that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on their clothing so   s
not to startle bears that aren't expecting them. We also advise   outdoorsmen
to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a ear. It is
also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity.
"Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear droppings
and grizzly droppings.
"Black bear droppings are smaller and contain lots of berries and   squirrel
fur.
"Grizzly bear droppings are larger, have little bells in them, and smell
like cayenne pepper."
>>

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There haven't been grizzlies in Minnesota for over a hundred years. They
couldn't stand the smell of lutefisk, which was used as a repellent   before
pepper spray, so they all moved to Montana.

Here is the URL for the Minnesota DNR's bear pages:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_and_wildlife/bears/index.html

Chuck Holst

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Received on Fri Feb 19 1999 - 08:26:19 PST

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