[null and void]

Wear little bells and carry pepper spray?

[Lucy Lake]

The Montana Department of Fish and Game recently issued the following bulletin:

"In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, fishermen and campers to take extra precautions and to keep alert for bears while in the field."

"We advise outdoorsmen to wear noisy little bells on their clothing to not startle bears that aren't expecting them. We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear."

"It is also a good idea to be on the lookout for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between "black bear" and "grizzly bear" manure."

"Black bear manure is smaller in size and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur."

"Grizzly bear manure has little bells in it and smells like pepper."

[Colorado Doug]

Wear little bells and carry pepper spray

You Know how to tell if your in bear country don't you?

[Colorado Doug]

Look for little bells and crushed cans of pepper spray in the feces.

[JoeFromCA]

I've backpacked in Montana, and in fact the best defense (other than a gun) against a grizzly is to talk loudly as you walk ("Hey, Bear" is the recommended call) and carry bear spray, which is actually a very large pepper spray cannister (costs about $40 at REI).