Foo - Bear deterrants

Well we're wanting to climb the grand tetons, all the way up. It's going to include back country hiking. I'm reading all this stuff about Grizzly bears, and I must say I'm about 2 seconds away from saying screw going to the Tetons. I know there's bear peppers spray, but honestly there are those scarce cases where it hasn't worked. It's not comforting enough for me, I need more comfort than just pepper spray. The only other thing I can think is a pistol, but really. I'm not old enough to carry a pistol, and I don't have the money for one. Another thing that I can think is carrying a machete with me, that's like my last possible thought. Any ideas suggestions?

What ever you do, don't have any pick-i-nik baskets. They love those.

Bears hate steak. Get yourself a hiking suit made of USDA Prime Sirloin.
http://growabrain.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/raw_meat_1.jpg

Well we're wanting to climb the grand tetons, all the way up. It's going to include back country hiking. I'm reading all this stuff about Grizzly bears, and I must say I'm about 2 seconds away from saying screw going to the Tetons. I know there's bear peppers spray, but honestly there are those scarce cases where it hasn't worked. It's not comforting enough for me, I need more comfort than just pepper spray. The only other thing I can think is a pistol, but really. I'm not old enough to carry a pistol, and I don't have the money for one. Another thing that I can think is carrying a machete with me, that's like my last possible thought. Any ideas suggestions?
See if Chuck Norris will go with you.

Well...from what I've heard, a pistol won't do too much other than make a grizzly madder than all hades.
A machette...what are planning to do, end it all before the bear gets you?

I think people and bear encounters are seriously rare events. Most animals don't want anything to do with us humans. Just make a lot of noise by talking, singing, or whistling while you hike. And don't go alone...just make sure you aren't the slowest runner in your group.

I need some kind of comfort, not sure what, but I need something.

We're going to get a bear pepper spray can. The machete for brush cutting and/or whatever we need. I'm just trying to think of something to make me feel better. We would need a large caliber pistol if we were carrying a weapon.

Cover yourself in babies. The bear will probably get full of them before he ever gets to you and just leave.
http://www.craphound.com/images/babysuit.jpg

You guys are teh sux0rs!

when i was in montana we didn't see a single bear. check out this video. (http://www.nps.gov/archive/glac/video/bearsafetymed.mov) it pretty much sums up what you need to do to keep yogi from joining your hike. i'm going to the smokies this weekend so i'll be in bear country, too!

I need some kind of comfort, not sure what, but I need something.

We're going to get a bear pepper spray can. The machete for brush cutting and/or whatever we need. I'm just trying to think of something to make me feel better. We would need a large caliber pistol if we were carrying a weapon.
How about a fog horn? It might be loud enough to freak that bear out...and possibly summon help at the same time.

If you encounter a bear, scream like a girl, then kick it as hard as you can in the nuts/ovaries.

It won't save you, but if anyone is watching from afar, it will make for an amusing story.

Yep that's a good idea KT. That's one thing I read, try to scare them off with noise. A fog horn, and they actually make special ones for bears.

Fact: Bear deterrents aren't 100% effective, but are better than nothing! They will deter an inquisitive bear, or a "Bluff charge". They may not deter an actual predation attempt though,especially with a larger Black or Grizzly Bear.

Other fact: The myth of play dead is a myth indeed and will wind up with you being the Bears dinner. Fight back as hard as you can.....either make it earn it's dinner or decide that you are too much trouble.

I read about a preacher who got chased by a bear. Ended up at the edge of a cliff. To save himself the preacher turned and faced the bear and prayed that the bear become a Christian bear.

Right before the bear ate the preacher, it dropped to it's knees and said " Dear Lord, Thank You for this food which you have so graciously provided."

Other fact: The myth of play dead is a myth indeed and will wind up with you being the Bears dinner. Fight back as hard as you can.....either make it earn it's dinner or decide that you are too much trouble.
Now that I'm in PNW, it's bear country around here. I just heard a story the other day about bears coming close to recreational trails in some places, so they gave some bear tips.

That was one (only one I remember actually). They said if one comes at you and you can't get away, fight. Don't play dead or anything like that....fight that bugger.

First you need to know what kind of bear you are dealing with. Now black bear you can tell by the berries in its feces.

Wear bells on your shoes to scare off the black bear and carry pepper in case one comes too near.

On the other hand, the feces of a grizzly bear smells like pepper and has all these little bells in it.:D

Cool. Fight a 400 pound bear while it's ripping my entrails out. That idea sounds fun.

First you need to know what kind of bear you are dealing with. Now black bear you can tell by the berries in its feces.

Wear bells on your shoes to scare off the black bear and carry pepper in case one comes too near.

On the other hand, the feces of a grizzly bear smells like pepper and has all these little bells in it.:D
Scrap Metal,that's a direct quote from a memo that was circulation Alaska Fish and Wildlife via fax a few years ago!:p

Now that I'm in PNW, it's bear country around here. I just heard a story the other day about bears coming close to recreational trails in some places, so they gave some bear tips.

That was one (only one I remember actually). They said if one comes at you and you can't get away, fight. Don't play dead or anything like that....fight that bugger.

yes, good kick between the legs works miracles; check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_VlVckrUgY

Suggestions for certain pepper spray brands that are consider best working?

Where can I buy some?

REI or at the park - we returned ours at REI when we didn't use it. they didn't care (or at least show it).

Scrap Metal,that's a direct quote from a memo that was circulation Alaska Fish and Wildlife via fax a few years ago!:p

I dont doubt it - but as a matter of fact I heard it first time in czech language as a joke and learned the english version much later.

Jokes are mostly international.

You'd best be able to tell bear species apart. Search online for how to tell them apart; look for size, a grizzly's distinctive shoulder hump and dish face.
They have weak eyesight but extremely good smell. Grizzly bears are generally too big to climb trees. Black bears aren't, and climb easily. If you make noise, shout and make yourself bigger, black bears will run away. Grizzly bears *might* stand and confront you, but generally would rather run, also. UNLESS it is a mother with cubs. Then, my friend, you are S.O.L. Both can outrun you. Neither is fooled by "playing dead". Make your presence known when you are out in the woods. Don't surprise a bear. If you do, don't run immediately, that inflames their predator instincts to chase you. Bear spray is a good deterrent, though not a guarantee. I'm trying to remember good brands off the top of my head.
That's all I got.

That's a lot to remember. I think if I ever came upon a bear, the only thing going through my head would be "HOLY **** A BEAR RUN FOR YOUR LIFE", or quite possibly just "AHHHHHHHHHH!".

No, all you really have to do is yell that while you're walking through the woods, BEFORE you meet a bear. Then you won't. Meet a bear, I mean. :D

I've seen a grizzly from afar once and I've seen black bears several times. They're magnificent, if a little scary...

I've got a girlfriend right now, and she's starting to get to the age where she's thinking about getting kids, which is exciting...because we're going to have to break up. She and I worry about different things. The other day, I asked her, "What do you fear the most?" She said, "I fear you'll meet someone else, you'll leave me, and I'll be all alone." And she asked me, "What do you fear the most?" And I was like, "Bears!" A bear is an intimidating animal, although I found out that the hippo kills the most humans per year. I didn't know hippos ate humans; I just thought they ate those little white marbles. I thought that was the whole point of Hungry Hungry Hippos - that hippos were marblevores.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,283834,00.html




Bear attacks boy in a tent.

Saw that already. Tetons in WY and that place Utah are a fair ways away from eachother, plus I'm like 3 6 year olds in one.

Perhaps you could borrow some of the aminals from the Foo Pets thread.

I've got a girlfriend right now, and she's starting to get to the age where she's thinking about getting kids, which is exciting...because we're going to have to break up. She and I worry about different things. The other day, I asked her, "What do you fear the most?" She said, "I fear you'll meet someone else, you'll leave me, and I'll be all alone." And she asked me, "What do you fear the most?" And I was like, "Bears!" A bear is an intimidating animal, although I found out that the hippo kills the most humans per year. I didn't know hippos ate humans; I just thought they ate those little white marbles. I thought that was the whole point of Hungry Hungry Hippos - that hippos were marblevores.

Simply brilliant.

First off some advice. If you are not a skilled climber, and I mean with ropes, biners,etc, go with a guide. The Tetons while not terrible difficult are not for beginners. There are easier ways to the top than others. It is not to be taken lightly. Watch for falling rock from above and do not kick rocks loose to those below.

Bears. You won't see a grizzly in the Tetons. You probably won't see a black bear in the Tetons. You will see a moose. Moose can be trouble. More people are killed by lightning than and other cause in the high mountains Be down to lower safe area by 2pm at the latest each day.

Do some research before you go.

There are some pistols that would work. A few options include a 460 Rowland 1911, CZ52's (but you'd sure as hell wanna make sure you had good ammo, and not 40 year old surplus ammo), one of those funny AR pistols like danno posted in the other thread, and any number of higher powered revolvers.

I personally don't like pepper spray for 2 reasons. A, its jammed on me before. B, I've sprayed myself with several different types to test them out, and if it's strong enough to incapacitate me, which the bear spray is, I would run the risk of spraying it at a bear and getting hit by a backwash from the wind, thereby rendering me blind, with a pissed off bear. I don't like that idea.

I suppose if you have 2 people carrying it it would make more sense. That way you have a backup can, and 2 people in case of an "oopsie".

^^

I think I'd prefer a SMAW.

A stout walking cane. Won't do any good against the bear, just use it Tonya Harding style on whomever you are with to make sure you can run faster than they.

Always hike in pairs. Be sure to choose a hiking partner that cannot run as fast as you.

That should do it.

^^Umm, not if there are 4 bears.;)

May I suggest a bazooka?

From a biologist standpoint, if a bear wants to take you down there is little to do except fight as hard as you can, ram your fist down the bears throat as hard as you can. Most bears won't bother you unless cubs are around. If you have a bear tailing you, you could be in trouble. make sure all food is hung high in a tree away from camp or put in a bear proof box away from camp. I have conducted research in some remote places and we have only had a close call once. One of the crew was sitting on the river bank reading, the bear didn't have a clue he was there. A fisherman downstream alerted the guy and when the guy stood up the bear was about 20 feet from him. The bear was scared to death and took off running in the other direction. Lucky for the crew.

I've been told bears can run downhill too, just not as fast. In all my real life encounters with blackbears, I've never actually seen one run. They always look at me and whoever may be with me, get scared, and run for it. Grizzleys I would worry about though. Never bumped into them.

Well I've decided on spray, and a air horn. I'm also most likely going tobring a machete, but that's actually for other purposes. This machete is sposed to work as a hachet and for cutting brush.

Air horn?

I've never heard of doing that. Are there any documented cases of an air horn detering a bear of any size?

Firearms are not permitted in National Parks. A machete shouldn't be either. There is hardly enough vegitation there anyway. Seriously, I think you are in greater danger living in Ca. then out in the Tetons. Perhaps if you are so worried about critters you should try a few less demanding camping trips first. Yosemite has far more problems with bears than the Tetons. If the Tetons scare you definitely don't go to Glacier or Jasper, god forbid Alaska. :rolleyes:

One more thing. Cutting live trees in a NP is against the law.

The air horn is a loud noise that scares off bears, they actually make special bear ones. But I'll just get a regular one.

does the bear one have fur on it?

One more thing. Cutting live trees in a NP is against the law.

Cutting trees most anywhere without a permit is against the law. But you would be hard pressed to find a conservation officer who would ***** at someone for maintaining a grown over trail.

Get a mini flame-thrower. I know they don't like fire.

Air horn?

I've never heard of doing that. Are there any documented cases of an air horn detering a bear of any size?
I think there was a scene in one of the Smokey and the Bandit movies where an airhorn was used to great effect to deter a bear.

Get a mini flame-thrower. I know they don't like fire.

That reminds me, it's a serious mistake to think a bear or any other animal will be scared of a camp fire. The forest is on fire much of the year, and animals know that if they are careful, they'll be fine. If they smell food in a camp, a roaring fire won't stop them from going for it.

And by the way, while I do in principal agree it might work, it could start a forest fire, plus, it would be obnoxiously heavy.

Cutting trees most anywhere without a permit is against the law. But you would be hard pressed to find a conservation officer who would ***** at an someone for maintaining a grown over trail.
I agree, though there are no overgrown trails in the Tetons.