I completely understand this woman's pushing peaceful co-existence with bears On the other hand I wouldn't anthropomorphize bear psychology or behaviors too much. They are wild and very powerful animals and could be having a very bad day. Toothache, bullied by another bear or they just really like your perfumed scent ...or hate it etc. etc.. I've run into quite a few bears in my hiking and have never had a problem that amounted to much. I have a friend that was charged by a grizz he ran into for the second time that day. His thoughts were the bear let him pass the 1st time but the second time it was "you are on my territory and picking my blueberries" He deployed pepper spray and figured he caught the bear, mere yards away, on the inhale because it collapsed in convulsions, Scared him very badly. My experience with grizzlies has been to just back off and leave the area without provoking any reaction.
Thank you! Love the non-fearful, peaceful and gentle tone. I live and hike in bear country. The mauling's are publicized (creating a fear factor) and seem to occur when they are startled (they are much quicker to react than us), they are protecting a kill, or there are cubs (or a dog chases them). I do not "hey bear!" or clap. Their constant interest is food, especially before winter, not us. I keep my bear spray assessable.
I completely understand this woman's pushing peaceful co-existence with bears On the other hand I wouldn't anthropomorphize bear psychology or behaviors too much. They are wild and very powerful animals and could be having a very bad day. Toothache, bullied by another bear or they just really like your perfumed scent ...or hate it etc. etc.. I've run into quite a few bears in my hiking and have never had a problem that amounted to much. I have a friend that was charged by a grizz he ran into for the second time that day. His thoughts were the bear let him pass the 1st time but the second time it was "you are on my territory and picking my blueberries" He deployed pepper spray and figured he caught the bear, mere yards away, on the inhale because it collapsed in convulsions, Scared him very badly. My experience with grizzlies has been to just back off and leave the area without provoking any reaction.
Thank you! Love the non-fearful, peaceful and gentle tone. I live and hike in bear country. The mauling's are publicized (creating a fear factor) and seem to occur when they are startled (they are much quicker to react than us), they are protecting a kill, or there are cubs (or a dog chases them). I do not "hey bear!" or clap. Their constant interest is food, especially before winter, not us. I keep my bear spray assessable.