[SJackson]

If you’d like to be on or off this Outdoors/Rural/wildlife/hunting/hiking/backpacking/National Parks/animals list please FR mail me. And ping me is you see articles of interest.

In anticipation of the suggestions as to the proper deterrent, spray works, and is a good first line defence, and isn't everyone's first choice. And more lethal choices fail on occasion.

[the invisib1e hand]

tssssssssssss. take that, you big mean bear!

[gaijin]

I wonder if urban people enjoy this spray? Like cologne, ya know.

[Billthedrill]

I solo hike that area in the summertime, and oh, yeah, I carry a bear bomb on the belt and another one in the pack. Closest contact I ever had was about 50 yards and he wasn't bothering me but I was still wetting my britches. Beautiful coat on the beastie, though. I don't overnight anymore and I do carry a firearm but an actual attack generally happens too fast and close to get off much of a shot even if you're reasonably skilled. Still awful nice to have, though.

The encounter I'm talking about was the first in that particular area for five years but they're happening with greater frequency now that the population appears to be recovering. Don't be scared, be prepared, and stay smart.

[isthisnickcool]

Glad he was not hurt...

Welcome back Mr. Kotter....

[CodeToad]

I could point to stories of people jumping from airplanes with failed parachutes and living, or being shot in the head and living, but that doesn’t give rise to the idea that those things should ever be tried or that we cannot say, “Jump from an airplane without a parachute and you will die” or “Shoot yourself in the head and you will die”.

If a bear to attacks and your only hope is that pepper spray saves you, well, while that bear is eating your head you will wish you hadn’t been so afraid to carry a large bear sized firearm.

[labette]

God smiled on this fellow, plain and simple.

Now, I have nothing against pepper spray. Either way, it’s a win - win situation.

Heads, the spray repels the beast and you live another day.

Tails, it pi$$es him off even more and he kills you so much quicker and mercifully.

[sissyjane]

I love Glacier Park, and never hike without bear spray. Thankfully I’ve not had to use it!

[blackdog]

"Kotter was hiking alone on the Devil Creek Trail" .........

And that's where the legend began.

[WePledge]

It may have been the stench of feces that deterred the bear.I haven't encountered any grizzlies in my yard so I'll try to stay out of theirs if possible.

[Guy Gardner]

Spray is far better than nothing, but it's awfully short-ranged. I'd prefer a .454, myself.

[donozark]

Wonder what brand/type of pepper spray he was carrying? So many out there...

[Segovia]

Alaska Grizzly Bear Notice
In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts,the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is advising tourists, hikers and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while traveling this summer.
We advise people to wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle bears that are not expecting them. We also advise people to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a grizzly.
It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear scat and dung of grizzly. Black bear droppings will contain numerous berries and squirrel fur, while the droppings of the grizzly will contain small bells and smell of pepper spray.

[RetiredTexasVet]

I don’t believe him. Does he have an pictures from his camera or phone. Probably one of the eco-nuts promoting the bear spray. Possibly the bear spray combined with a 45 might be believable.

[Inyo-Mono]

“I’m not sure how long it will take me to hike alone again,” he said. “It was a really good comfort to know that hiking with bear spray is a great deterrent. It makes me feel very safe that it did work.”

I used to hike alone. Not any longer, after an enter with mountain lions. Now I carry either a 45-70 rifle or a 12 gauge with bear slugs when in the wilderness.

[ZinGirl]

I already had my spray unvelcroed. ...

"unvelcroed"? sorry...that just sounds gay.

He is among about 30 people working under Kate Kendall, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist who is a leading grizzly bear population researcher.

"ummmm....that's ONE; you guys count the rest"

[meyer]

Next year’s hike will be dubbed “Welcome back, Kotter”.

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

You should never hike alone in bear country. Take a friend like this.