In my paddling experience I have encountered both bears and 'gators - but never (to date!) on the same trip. For bear safety, I defer to the Park Service folks who have published several guides: http://www.americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo/ye/flora/bearsafe.html http://www.yellowstoneparknet.com/geninfo/backcountry_bears.htm http://users.sisna.com/bri-hart/katmai/parkrisk.htm http://www.alaska.com/akcom/interior/visit_travel/story/781598p-819788c.html http://www.nps.gov/glba/InDepth/learn/preserve/projects/bears/habitatresearch.htm It certainly got my attention when I paddled and camped in Glacier Bay NP that certain beaches and camp areas there are closed periodically because of "bad bears". They have maps at the park headquarters. I added to my own bear-phobia on first visit - lying in my tent, still light at 10 p.m. and reading John McPhee's story of the The Barber and the Polar Bear - where the hunter becomes the hunted. I've never paddled in polar bear country but have see quite a few black and brown bears and even more of their signs. My brother and always my paddling companion on Alaska trips is a medical doctor and is very savvy to bear signs. Even he had a standoff with a griz at very close range, standing on its hind legs and gringing its teeth only 30' away. Some VERY anxious moments for my brother, knowing also his rifle was back at camp - and the bear was between him and it. He has also patched up a hiker in the emergency room, whose arms and shoulders got ripped up by black bear trying to rip (and it was successful) her pack off her back. She had foolishly left an open can of tuna fish in the backpack. We are very careful to keep sleeping and food prep/eating areas far apart and so ! far no problems on trips I've been on. I've had some close encounters with 'gators but thankfully to date we only scared each other half to death. I've been close enough (and this is never intentional) to hear them blowing bubbles as they submerge - or hiss at me from 10' away at night when I didn't see 'em in advance. Like bears, if you are making noise, they will try to avoid you. If you are in a quiet reverie, cruising along and listening to the wind in the trees, the insects and bird songs, and the grass rustling, well, things happen. I've discovered I can go from +3 to -10 mph in a real hurry when an unanticipated collision is imminent. Thank goodness for that strong backstroke. Happy cruising - watch out for them bears and 'gators. Can't wait to hit the bayou this evening - and Alaska in three weeks. Natalie Wiest Galveston TX *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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