The recent grizzly attack on the upper Maclaren River has once again brought the subject of bear danger to mind.
This summer's incident with a group of kids from the National Outdoor Leadership School and several confrontations along the Anchorage area trail system have served to feed our imaginations concerning bears -- especially those big brown ones.
Despite the indisputable fact that one is far more likely to be run over by a car than jumped by a bear, the danger of a bear encounter is very real when in the outback.
I would love to reassure the reader that there are a few little precautions one can take to prevent an attack, but unfortunately, that just isn't so. There are many things one can do to minimize dangerous situations with grizzlies, however, there are no guarantees, and no one action will work on every occasion.
The most common idea is to make lots of noise so bears know you are coming. That didn't work with the NOLS group; you have to believe that a bunch of kids crossing a stream are not totally quiet. Noise didn't work on the Maclaren -- that grizzly spotted the hunter at more than 50 yards. There are plenty of jokes about little bells and grizzly poop. Lots of noise may work at times. It isn't foolproof.
Pepper spray or bear spray; the jury is out on that one. It may work just fine, but how many folks are going to stand and wait for the charging bear to get close enough? Not too many of us.
Most charges are bluff charges. That may be true, but are most hikers and hunters able to tell the difference? Is that bear really going to stop at 30 feet and turn away? What if he doesn't stop?
I have had two potentially serious bear encounters that both turned out fine. One was due to luck and the other because I was very ready.
When I was a kid, my dad always told me that a gun without a shell in the chamber was "as useless as an iron pipe." He was right but, for most hunters and hikers, a loaded gun with a cartridge under the hammer is much more hazardous than the possibility of a bear attack.
A few years back, a friend and I were walking out of the Olgilvie Mountains north of the Yukon, when we were jumped by a black bear. No warning, just a big bear with very good teeth who thought we might make lunch. We both had rifles but nothing in the chamber. My friend got his bolt open and then the bear was inside the end of his rifle. The bear was between us, so although I was quickly ready, I was unable to shoot. Fortunately, Don kept the bear from him with a swinging rifle. The critter decided on easier fare and left. Luck trumped unpreparedness.
The second incident occurred on the Maclaren several years ago. I inadvertently got between a sow and two cubs. I was being quiet because I was hunting. In this instance, noise probably would have helped to avoid the situation. I had a very good dog with me and a rifle with a shell up. I sat quiet with two small cubs on one side and mom on the other; none more than 20 feet away. Confidence in my position, bolstered immeasureably by the dog and the gun, allowed me to sit very still until they decided I was no threat and went on about their business.
My point is that there is no one thing that is a guarantee against a bear attack. Be very aware of the environment around you; look for tracks, and for poop with or without bells.
Where there is limited visibility, and you are not hunting, some noise may be a plus. If you choose to carry bear spray, be sure you are capable of using it in an emergency situation.
A good dog is a huge help, but a bad dog is a colossal detriment. A bad dog is one that has not encountered bears regularly. He barks, runs and leads the very angry bear to your lap.
The best defense against a deadly bear charge is probably a shotgun -- along with a user who is knowledgeable and comfortable enough to use it responsibly and properly.
All of Alaska has bears, both grizzly and black. In coastal areas there tend to me more of them, and as a rule they are less aggressive, probably because of the availability of food. In the Interior, there are fewer bears, but they seem more protective of their food sources. In the Interior, 99 percent of the time you are out, you would count yourself lucky to just see a bear.
Awareness and avoidance are the keys to minimizing any potential conflicts. Don't let a fear of bears affect your trips into Alaska's backcountry. Grizzlies are one of our most magnificent creatures; enjoy and appreciate them for what they are.
And when you are in the woods, remember that this is not your house; it belongs to others.
John Schandelmeier of Paxson is a lifelong Alaskan and Bristol Bay commercial fisherman. A former champion of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, he has written on the outdoors for several newspapers and magazines.
John Schandelmeier