What is the best way to protect your self when hiking in black bear country?

03-29-2009, 07:54 PM

Thank you in advance.
Thank you guys so much!

**sfrantz71** · 03-29-2009, 07:55 PM

- Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Carry bear pepper spray.
- Read all signs and warnings at the trailhead.
- Hike in a group, and keep children close at hand.
- Make your presence known (call out and make noise).
- Hike during daylight hours & stay on the trail.
- Watch for bear signs: scat, claw marks, diggings, logs or stumps torn apart, etc.
- Avoid taking pets, they may attract bears to you.

03-29-2009, 07:59 PM

I have said this before and I'll say it again. A side arm is a good choice in a magnum caliber. However it is not always legal. Next is pepper spray but not always effective. Being alert, keeping yourself visible, and making noise is most effective. Most black bear are more afraid of you then then we are of them. So wear red flannel to be seen easy and bells as your hiking. carry peeper spray as a back up.

One way to tell if your in bear country is to look for bear scat. it will have red flannel and bells in it and smell of pepper spray.

Good luck to you

03-29-2009, 08:00 PM

if your being chased by a bear dont run uphill bears are very fast...run down hill they stuggle with incline because of their size....also dont climb a tree

03-29-2009, 08:02 PM

check out this hilarious youtube video! hahahah..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcJ8BChWYis

03-29-2009, 08:03 PM

keep your food supply well away from your camp.

make lots of noise when walking trails, consider blowing a whistle while you walk.

Carry a hand gun, just in case.

03-29-2009, 08:03 PM

The Best Thing To Do is while walking make sure ur making alot of noise break off some branches so if a bear is ahead it will have time to move or if it has cubs move them away to ( when u break sticks you sound like a large animal that doesnt fit in trail ) which scares off bear it doesnt want confrintation it wants easy prey like fish and dear