Bears, Humans, Ecology!

Most bears will tend to avoid people and if you encounter a bear and give the bear the opportunity to avoid you, generally it will. Many, many visitors and residents of Alaska have had the opportunity to see a bear in Alaska without any threat from the bear. These are the people that understand the bear and respect their habitat and instincts.

Bears do not like surprizes!

Probably the most important thing to respect about a bear is they do not like surprises -- have you ever seen a startled person jump when surprised?  Bear react similarly but more violently to surprise encounters. So the first rule of respecting bears is make your presence known.  If you are in bear country, and especially in places where the brush or forest is dense with growth, make noise so the bear will know there is someone in the area.  One of the best rules is to travel in groups and enjoy a noisy conversation, singing or such in they brushy areas where bears may live. Also, try to keep the wind behind you. Bears see and hear about the same as humans but their sense of smell is more acute and they rely on it heavily. Bears also like to follow trails and roads so don't set up a camp on a trail where you see signs of bears being in the area, or where there are the smells of dead fish or animals.  And watch for scavenger animals and birds. If they are in the area, perhaps it means the bear has buried his dinner near by .

Respect Alaska bears and ecology!

Alaska bears, like most other bears spend most of their awake hours looking for food. Alaska bears have a shorter period of time to build up their fat reserves for their hibernation than their more southerly cousins in the lower 48 because of the long winters in Alaska. As we have said bears are very intelligent and learn fast, so if you show them human food or let them get to your garbage you are doing a dis-service to these animals. Another important rule is: Keep your camp site clean of all food and garbage. Cook away from your tent and store your food in airtight or bear proof containers and hang your food in trees. Bears will eat right through a cooler (even if it's metal) if they smell food. And remember do not bring smelly food like bacon or smoked fish. When you have finished eating, burn all the garbage in a hot fire. Bears also like cat and dog food, so if you bring a pet keep them close by and their food well concealed.

Bears need lots of room!

Always let a bear know you are a human if you encounter a bear. Wave your arms so you can be recognized as human. Some say it is helpful to talk to a bear in a normal voice. If you are fishing and a bear approaches, stop fishing. If you have a fish on the line don't let it splash and cut your line if you can’t stop the splashing . It doesn't take long for a bear to learn it can get fish by being near a fisherman. If a bear cannot tell what you are he may move closer or stand on his hind legs. Standing bears are generally trying to resolve a recognition problem by getting a better view or smell. You may try to back off diagonally from a bear but if he looks to be following stop and stand your ground. You cannot outrun a bear and like many animals that are predators, instinctively bears chase a fleeing animal. Bears will make bluff charges coming very close without making contact.

Beware the bear with cubs

Making noise, banging pots and pans or noisemakers can help to roust a curious or aggressive bear. Never make sounds like a bear or squeal. Don't get in a bears space and give all bears plenty of room. Some bears are more tolerant of humans but you never know exactly that particular bears comfort zone, so give them lots of space.  When you want to photograph bears, use the longest lenses you can find because that close up shot may put you in the zone. Be particularly wary of female bears and especially if she has cubs. Female bears will respond aggressively to any perceived threat to her young.

"Those who have packed far up into grizzly country know that the presence of even one grizzly on the land elevates the mountains, deepens the canyons, chills the winds, brightens the stars, darkens the forest, and quickens the pulse of all who enter it. They know that when a bear dies, something sacred in every living thing interconnected with that realm... also dies.”     

- John Murray

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