A bear warning has been issued in the National Forests for this summer. All forest users are being urged to protect themselves by carrying pepper spray and wearing little bells.

Campers should be alert for signs of fresh bear activity and should be able to tell the differance between black bear and grizzly bear dung.

Black bear dung is rather small and round. Sometimes you can see fruit seeds and / or squirrel fur in it.

Grizzly bear dung, on the other hand is larger, smells like pepper spray and has little bells in it.

 

Here in Alaska we can tell fresh bear activity by the number of missing tourists.

 

Maybe applying some female bear scent would keep them from killing you. You may walk funny coming out of the woods but will be alive.

 

You don't have to be afraid of bears:


Jarhead Story

~Rob

 

I just did a motorcycle trip up to Alaska, Fairbanks up to DeadHorse, over to Anchorage, up to Inuvik.

I was a bit concerned about bears, not being able to take the usual protection through Canada.

Though I saw many bears, most were like the bears here- they usually ran off, or looked at you for a minute and went back to what they were doing.

I felt pretty safe with the usual safety precautions- keep food out of the tent...

 

Jeff,if ya got 'em post the pics.That sounds like a super trip.

 

Dang it. Dispite the many chances I have had to go there I just couldnt fit it in my schedule. Is it worth the time?

 

Well, it was like 1,000 miles of muck and dirt to get there, with spectacular scenery, but there isn't much in the town...

I did a ride report over here.

advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=597220

I took the http and www off so it wouldn't hyperlink, since there can be bad language at advrider...

 

Jeff: (not trying to hijack the thread here but) that was a very good report. Good pics of food and critters. I have been through those areas many times but only once on a bike. I finally went to the White Horse museum last year. Lots of stuff for girls and guys. Was disappointed to see you mention that the hot springs at Laird are no longer free. Anyway, very good stuff.

 

Thanks. It was a whole lot of fun.

Back on topic, I probably should have snagged a can of bear spray. Those things are everywhere up there.

 

Bears do like some pepper on their food.

 

We run into bears every day up here (North coast BC) salmon fishing this time of year, we have never had a problem, the ones you have to worry about are the ones that get in to town and the garbage.

 

The reason you don't here about it up here is bears leave no witnesses.