Bears. Geeze. Where do we start? Many of our Dear Friends know we have a lifelong fear & loathing of "all things bear". It stems from getting bit by a bear in the mid-50's at Yellowstone.
Some of our Dear Friends know we ran a website called "Bearanoia" for quite some time. The ostensible purpose of the website was to help educate people about what went wrong during incidents in which a bear killed somebody. Producing the webesite became so depressing we quit and deleted it.
Meanwhile, being a genuine Bearanoid, we own four canisters of bear spray, two custom built canister holders and routinely practice with the stuff. Whenever we go into Bear Country, the very first thing we do is rattle off our litany of questions for the Ranger(s) or Camp Host(s).
1) Have there been any bear sightings nearby this season?
2) If so, where were they and what were the circumstances?
3) Have there been any deployments of bear spray reported?
4)Finally, When did you last have bear spray training and what were your "takeaways"?
We've found that Rangers and Camp Hosts will be very forthright when asked those pointed questions. Typically, they will also add their own favorite anecdotes as well. The best part usually comes on the 4th question. That's when we always get down to the nitty gritty of actually using bear spray. That's when we learn little insights, tips and advice that might someday save our life (or lives).
Whenever the IDFG Bear Spray Education Road Show appears, we're always Johnny On The Spot. The volunteers who run IDFG's bear trailer are topnotch and they are like human sponges. They soak up everything they hear from people and they are ready to retell what they've heard in ways a layman like me can understand and take home.
One of our favorite such stories was about a guy in Driggs out walking his dog (not on a leash) when he was attacked by a Mama Grizz. The guy's dog started barking wildly and ran ahead, only to let out a Dog Shriek the likes of which the guy had never heard before. Well, that was enough warning for the guy the deploy his bear spray and stand crouched in the "Ready Position". Sure enough the dog came flying out of the willows and ran and cowered behind the guy while Ma Grizz ran straight for the guy. Luckily, the guy had ice water in his veins. He deftly squeezed off the recommended 1-2 seconds of spray and the bear stopped in its tracks and retreated. Ah, but it didn't leave. It shook its head and then turned and charged again. The Guy With Ice Water In Veins stood his ground and squeezed off yet another burst. And the Grizz retreated only to suddenly turn and make yet another enraged charge. The Guy With Ice Water In Veins had managed his bear spray precisely according to all the Bear Spray Textbooks and knew he was on his last dose of spray so he let the Grizz have it all as he emptied the can. Luckily, the third time actually was the charm and Ma gathered her cubs and retreated to more friendly confines of the forest near Driggs.
These types of stories are very instructive for me. I never forget them and I reflect on them often. When we spend time in Bear Country, I think my way through all of the advice I've ever heard and all of the stories I've ever read. I do not want to be a victim.
Bear Spray is not a silver bullet. You actually need to know how to use it. And, believe it or not, using bear spray isn't as simple as you think it might be. There is simply NO substitute for practice, practice and practice.
All of the above narrative came back to roost this week when we observed some Bear spray posts on Kris Millgate's Facebook page. Kris is All Around The Best Outdoor /Writer/Storyteller/Videographer/Producer and Photographer for tens of thousands of square miles, probably covering an area from Missoula to Salt Lake and maybe Cheyenne to Seattle. Seriously, she's that good..
Anyway, Kris went into the field to match her mettle with a Training Bear. The results are both humorous and instructive. Watching the video embedded in the story linked here will give you a valuable lesson in Bear Spray 101. We salute Kris for taking time to put this multi-media piece together. We hope that it is viewed far and wide and that the lessons are taken to heart. And we hope that this fine production by Kris will save someone's life down the road or trail.
Being "Bear Prepared" is not just another jingo. It's serious business and your life and the lives of your Loved Ones depends on just how well you learn your lessons.
Here's the full Kris Millgate story:
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