AIR HORN

I'm not sure the advice is the same for Grizzly Bears as it is for Black Bears. Black Bears scare easy and run. Grizzlies not so much!!

Can't hurt. Yes I've heard of people using them. Mixed results, but that seems to be true for all bear deterrents, even guns. I carry bear bangers which go off like an m-80, but you can't buy them in the US. In real bear country (parts of Alaska) you'll find me with a bear bell, the bangers, bear spray, and a double barrel, and sometimes a buddy for backup. I solo a lot and there's no room for mistakes. I like to have options. Other than the double barrel it all fits in a pocket. I haven't had so many encounters since I try to avoid them, but usually you just need a noise to announce your presence. But there are places and times when a bear is not familiar with humans and being the top predator will come investigate noises. In my experience immature bears are even more dangerous than sows with cubs. Young and dumb.

While checking in at the Pearly Gates....

"Yes, St. Peter, I remember pushing the button on that air horn, and that REALLY seemed to anger that grizzly..... That's all I remember...."

Seriously, black bears will scare out of camp by just banging some pans together. That is, unless they have focussed on a clear source of food. You leave food out, and forget about trying to scare them away.....

No personal experience with grizzly's (and I prefer it that way!).

We camped at Discovery Yukon Lodging RV park last summer (and are definitely going back there).

While there we thought we'd take off for a walk on some trails carrying bear spray. They insisted we carry canned air horns which they hand out. They say they are very effective. I also carried bear spray. Guess it worked- we made it back?

Yep..and I have one of the refillable types in the RV. before I go any further, to re-fill..I can either hold it up to the TV and allow the hot air from bombastic hair man to enter the can..or attach the standard type bicycle pump and give'r.


Gary Haupt

Go to the DNR website for the state/county/area you will be camping in. And search for Bears information.

I found out I had bears on the property I bought in Florida. I went to their Dept of Natural Resources site and was VERY shocked on all what I did NOT know AND all the bad info I got from friends, about the Florida Black Bear on how to live with and/or stay safe when they are around.

There is a TON of misinformation on bears floating around by word of mouth that could just get you killed!

THE biggest fallacy is all the stories and advice one gets about just laying down real still if you have no other option and you might survive a bear encounter.

Well with a Grizzly Bear you just might live thru it.

BUT...and I quote, with a Florida Black Bear if you lay down real still he will attack you, drag you off and eat you!

Big difference in advice between Bear species eh? :W

I sometimes carry and use a Coast Guard type air horn in brushy grizzly country - not to scare the bear if I see him, but to warn him that I'm in the area. If they know you're coming they will most likely leave, if you blow that thing at him, it might be a very different story.

I read a study many years ago by Alaska F&G which tested various deterrents. The most effective was a whole string of black cats (firecrackers). Not because they are so loud, my bear bangers are far louder, but because of the sheer length of the noise. Every single bear left the area, every one.

I like the double barrel the best. Not because I don,t trust bear spray or air horns but just because everyone these days wants a pump with a 10 shot magazine, pistol grip, breaching choke and megawatt flashlight attached. I just appreciate the aesthetics of a SXS.

Making noise and being aware are the best deterrents. A subset of being aware is not to get between the bear and its food or young.

I read the same study about the firecrackers....makes sense to me; The noise never stops so Brother Bruin never has a chance to indulge any latent curiosity and just defaults to thinking it's something bad.

Of course, then there are those times (such as when hunting them) that all bears are clairvoyant and stay away because they sense your intentions, even if one is quiet! :)