Searching for "Ask_A_Bear"

Ask A Bear: Can Wasp Spray Repel You?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: Would wasp spray, with increased range and a narrow stream for accuracy, be a good bear deterrent as opposed to the regular pepper spray?—Steve Ridings, via email

A: Jeez, sometimes I think people just loooove coming up with new ways to make me have a bad day. Read Full Story...

Wednesday, September 01, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Which Park Has the Most Attacks?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: I've heard that Glacier National Park is known for the most bear attacks in the U.S. Is that true?—Kathy Walter, via email

A: What is it with you people and attacks? Can't you just admire me for my majestic, uncompromising physical beauty? Fine, I get it—you love me because of the claws, teeth, insane power, etc., so I'll answer your question. Read Full Story...

Wednesday, August 25, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Do Bear Bells Really Work?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: I visited Yellowstone for the first time this summer, and I wanted to go for a trail run. It was my first time alone in grizzly country, so I decided to buy some bear bells. At the checkout, the lady decided to warn me that because so many people use bear bells now, you might actually associate the sound with humans and come to investigate. You wouldn't really do that, would you!?—Boomer from Wisconsin, via email

A: Dinner bells, hiker hamburger hail, afternoon-snack alarm—the bear bell is a bear-country souvenir store staple that gets a lot of flack from locals and backcountry veterans. Whether it works on me isn't exactly clear. Read Full Story...

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Do Ultrasonic Noises Repel You?

Our resident trip planning expert shares where to camp, how to plan, and other tips for the John Muir Trail.

Q: Do ultrasonic, high-pitch noises repel bears similar to the way the new high-pitch noise makers repel dogs? —Frank V., Somerville, MA; via email

A: Are you saying I'm the same thing as a dog? Why, I'm insulted...even though I do love the delicious, delicious food you give them.

But on to your question: There is some evidence that high-pitched, ultrasonic sounds could repel me in certain cases. I can hear in the ultrasonic range of 16-20 kilohertz, and possibly even higher Read Full Story...

Wednesday, August 11, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Will You Eat Me In Rocky Mountain NP?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: How can I convince my wife you won't eat her if we camp in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park and observe the rules? — David T. Connolly, via email

A: Awww...your wife shouldn't be afraid of widdle ol' me (though I can weigh as much as 400 pounds). Bear encounters that result in injuries or death in the park are extremely rare.
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Wednesday, August 04, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Bear Steals, Destroys Car for PB&J Sandwich

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: Can a bear REALLY smell a small amount of food through my car? I'm not talking about coolers of leftover BBQ—I'm talking about a small snack or sandwich. I've parked at at trailheads in bear country many times and forgotten a bag of chips or something with no problems. Will they really think it's worth the effort to tear through all that metal?—Drivin' and Eatin', via email

A: In a word: YES. I'm even willing to commit grand theft auto for a peanut butter & jelly sandwich.

Don't believe me? Check out this video from 17-year-old Ben Story of Larkspur, Colo., who lost his shiny red 2008 Toyota Corolla because he forgot the PB & J in the back seat.
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Tuesday, July 27, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Will Cider Vinegar Attract A Bear?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: I use cider vinegar when I shower. I put it on my arm pits, hair, face, etc., and let it sit for a few seconds before rinsing it off. Except for a very short period of time directly after using the cider vinegar, I can't smell it on me. However, I know that your nose is better than that of any hound dog, so you might be able to detect its odor on my body possibly even hours later.

As bears like both apples and alcohol (there's a slight amount in vinegar), will they be attracted to me because of my vinegar use?—David, via email

A: Vinegar showers, eh? And to think you people have a problem with me not showering at all. Read Full Story...

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Why Is Black Bear And Grizzy Behavior So Different?

Our resident bruin expert answers all in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: Genetically, it seems that grizzlies and black bears are pretty closely related. So why is your behavior so different? —Bear-Curious, via email

A: I'm glad you asked that, Bear-Curious—most people just want to know whether I'll eat their trail mix or not (the answer is yes, happily, if you let me). But to answer your question, it all boils down to evolution. Read Full Story...

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 in: Ask A Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Storing Food Above Treeline?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: I’m often hiking above treeline. At what altitude is it okay to not hang a bear bag? If that is never okay, how do you suggest securing food above treeline without a bear canister? —Katie Robinson, via email

A: Just like you, bears love to get high—above treeline. Witness the efforts of grizzly bears in Glacier National Park, who climb up into the peaks to get at army cutworm moths hiding under talus in late summer. Black bears travel above treeline less often, but they won't hesitate to break altitude barriers to get at huckleberries and other sweets (I've seen nine of my brethren doing it in Olympic NP at or near treeline in a two-day period). Read Full Story...

Wednesday, July 07, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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Ask A Bear: Charging Bear Caught on Film

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Our beloved bear is out pursuing a particularly fruitful huckleberry harvest somewhere in the Western United States. In his absence, he asked us to share this video with his bear-enthusiastic public. —BACKPACKER EDITORS

Hey all: Everyone who's presumably concerned about bear safety knows how fast we can run—up to 40 miles an hour in short distances, which is plenty fast to catch any sluggish human (Usain Bolt included).

But it's still difficult to picture me actually moving that fast, especially since I'm usually a lumbering, fuzzy bucket of blubber (assuming it's been a good berry/salmon year). It's all smoke and mirrors: When I want to motor, I can freaking motor.

Any doubters need only watch the following video for proof. Leon Lorenz, a Canadian photographer, captured a charging mama bear and cub in British Columbia's Robson Valley: Read Full Story...

Thursday, June 24, 2010 in: Ask a Bear, Nature and Wildlife

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