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Grizzly Bears 

This is a photograph of Boo the Grizzly Bear who lives high up in the Canadian Rocky Mountains not far from Banff.  Most bears that have bad Human contact adventures normally get shot. Boo was rescued in the new Kicking Horse Ski Resort they have woken up to a better way of dealing with these curious animals. The summer is a slack time for Ski resorts but saving bears and offering an education program can bring in the tourists. Most visitors to the National Parks want to see the wildlife. My family certainly did. We were luck to see two black bears in the wild on two different occasions.  Many tourist do not see them so the next best thing is seeing captive bears in fantastic environments. The Ski lifts at Banff and Lake Louise advertise the possibility of seeing bears  at the top of the mountain. Yes they live up there but the chances of seeing any is very very slim. This is in contrast to the Ski lifts at Kicking Horse Ski Resort where they actually guarantee seeing a bear as Boo the Grizzly bear lives in a huge enclosure that covers half the mountain side. Boo is free to move around and forage for fruit and insects in the whole area. They have built a hibernation hut for him. When winter comer he goes inside and does not come out until next winter. This enables the ski resort to take down the the enclosure's fencing and use Boo's back garden as part of the winter ski resort area again. The idea is fantastic and so simple. Boo provides a summer attraction and added income. Best of all Boo is alive and well, living in his natural environment.  Oh yes beware of the mosquitoes. Cover up and use lots of anti-mosquito spray.

Bear encounters and attacks are extremely rare, but they do happen. Make a lot of noise as you approach your fishing spot so they know you are coming and have time to move on. Make noise particularly near bends in the trail and other places where visibility is reduced.  Remember the effects from wind and streams on diminishing noise levels. Check the weather and if possible walk to the site with the wind behind you. Carry food and other scented items in double-bagged ziplock bags. If a grizzly bear is sighted while hiking, do not approach.   Approaching a grizzly bear to try to get a close-up photograph, or for any other reason, is asking for serious trouble.  If a grizzly wants your fishing spot let him have it. If he has grabbed the salmon on the end of your line, I don't care if it is the biggest you have ever caught, cut the line and walk away. Do not have an argument with a bear. You will lose. If you encounter a female defending cubs: get away from the bears and remove yourself as a threat to the cubs. 

Be Alert! Detect bears before they are a problem. Bears are unpredictable, and seeing one early decreases chances of a dangerous encounter. Be careful around open water leads, or mammal carcasses, places where you may encounter a bear. If a bear approaches do not run, stand your ground unless you can move away slowly to a safe shelter like your car and drive away. Don't holler, shout or yell. Don't wave arms. Try not to pose a threat to the grizzly. Don't look the bear in the eyes. Talk softly; this may help the grizzly identify what you are and may tell him/her that you are not a threat. Do not drop a rucksack as you may need that to protect your back or drop an item of clothing if you decide to retreat.

If the grizzly charges, things have changed.  If you are with others, they must be prepared.  It is important to discuss this possibility before setting out with them. If you run expect to be attacked. DO NOT RUN. Keep in mind, all charges do not result in attack, physical contact.  Many charges are broken off at the last instant. Hold your ground. If he gets too close use anti bear pepper spray.

Carrying Pepper Spray is a good idea (do not bring it back into the UK as it is illegal and you will be arrested) Pepper spray manufactured specifically for use against bears is the only type of spray I would consider carrying in Bear Country a large can, proper concentration of the active ingredients (capsaicin and related capsaicinoids ingredient). The use of pepper spray as a defense against a grizzly bear attack may prevent you from being seriously injured and may prevent a grizzly bear from being destroyed.  But do not think "If I run into a grizzly bear, I don't have to worry because I carry pepper spray." Sometimes it will not work. It won't do any good if it's in your pack. Have it to hand in bear country.

A grizzly bear can cover 50 yards in about 3 seconds. Before running off for a tree, you must consider the distance between the grizzly and yourself and the distance to the nearest climbable tree that you could climb to a safe height. Your decision to run would be the reason the bear needs to attack. The best advice is to stand your ground. Once you start climbing how high do you need to go?  A grizzly bear has been known to climb to slightly less than 33 feet during an attack. There may be instances when climbing a tree is an appropriate response: such as sighting a bear at a distance that would allow time to find a suitable tree and climb to a safe height.

If you are attacked curl into a ball on your side or lie flat on your stomach, with hands clasped behind your head to protect your neck (a rucksack will help protect your back).  Lying flat on stomach might prevent being rolled over by the grizzly. If curled into a ball, pull your knees toward your chin to help protect vital organs. Try to remain calm and quiet until the attack ends.  Try not to scream.  Do not resist or fight back. Try to make sure the bear has left the area before getting up, but also try to see what direction was taken (peek). A grizzly bear that attacks a human likely does so because the human is perceived as a threat.  If the grizzly attacks and then stops the attack, the victim is no longer perceived to be a threat.  Movement is again perceived as a threatening action.  Give the bear time to move away before moving or getting up.  Get up slowly, checking to see if the bear can be seen or heard. If the bear returns, return to the ground and stay motionless. Assess my injuries and the injuries of others and treat as best as possible. Get out of the area or get help. Injuries are almost certain to occur during any grizzly bear attack; the idea is to be subjected to lesser injuries than are likely to occur by trying to run or by trying to fight back. It will hurt. 

Food and other items with odors must be properly stored and hung on ropes in trees out of reach of bears at all times when not in use, including cookware that had been washed.  Trash and food waste must be taken  home with you. If a bear starts invading campsites and eating human food there is a good chance it will be destroyed by the rangers. It's blood will be on your hands because of your ignorance. A rule for camping, or any other activity, anywhere in grizzly country is: Never allow a grizzly bear to obtain human food.  A grizzly bear that becomes conditioned to sources of human food becomes very dangerous, may cause injury in obtaining the food and will likely be killed as a result either in "self defense" or by authorities charged with grizzly bear management.  "A fed bear is a dead bear."  

Do your part to keep a clean camp to prevent attracting bears.  If improper food handling and storage practices are observed by other, don't hesitate  to inform the offending party and notify park rangers as they are putting you at risk from attack. Cook away from sleeping area and 100 yards downwind if possible.  Cook foods that don't give off too many inviting odors. Don't burn or bury leftover food and garbage--place it in zip lock bags and pack it out. Never cook inside a tent.  Keep tent free of odors that attract bears, odors from food (including pet food) or other items with odors.  The list is very long and includes:  soap, toothpaste, lip balm, insect repellent, water containers, cooking gear, sweaty clothes, clothes worn while cooking, tobacco, and many more).  These items must be hung when not in use, at least 10 feet above the ground (preferably higher) and 4 feet away from tree trunk or pole and well away from sleeping area.  I hang almost everything, including my backpack. Wash hands and face before going to bed to try to remove cooking odors.   Use a non-scented soap. Never sleep in clothes you have cooked in until they have been washed (cooked in today, yesterday, or last week).