Friday, 17 August 2007

When Good Bears go Bad


As I am now in Bear country, I have done my research and have taken some precautions to avoid bear attack. These are pretty rare but seeing as I will be hiking on my own it is prudent to try and be as safe as possible. I have purchased some Bear Spray and a whistle. The whistle is to let the furry dudes know I am about and the bear spray is a last resort. It is stronger than regular Mace though - I guess it needs to be to do anything to a 700 pound slightly miffed animal. Some of the notes on what to do in an attack are amusing - you are supposed to behave differently depending on what type of attack it is (See Here). What are you supposed to do - say 'Excuse me Mr Bear - Are you attacking me in defense or are you trying to eat me?'. Bear attacks are rare though - maybe 1 incident every few years in Banff NP so hopefully I won't have to fire the spray in anger.
Picture (Me packing Bear Spray with my whistle at the ready), Also a furry Grizzly dude

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