08-Bear Attacks Part One: Avoiding Attacks

Spring. Ahh, that wonderful time when nature's ultimate, apex predator wakes from hibernation and wants to eat, everything. On a purely personal level, I share Stephen Colbert's repeated placement of bears atop his 'Threat Level' segment. Sure, if you're in a city, the bear threat is just ahead of falling though a wormhole and imploding in the vacuum of outer-space. On the other hand, should you find yourself in the great outdoors, it may not top the list but certainly becomes more relevant than a random rupture of time-space.

I was a young boy when my neighbor was mauled during his morning jog. This was my neighbor, someone who geographically lived nearby. The thought churned in my mind: how could he run so far as to meet up with a real life bear and barely survive? I grew up in the Olympus Cove, resting at the foot of Mount Olympus. It is a fascinating spot. The edge of the Wasatch Mountain Range sits above its backdoor while Salt Lake City sprawls below its front. At that age, I struggled to reconcile my peaceful, suburban environment with this tragic, violent event. I spent much of my childhood concerned it could happen to me. Needless to say, I have collected many thoughts on this subject.

Avoiding an attack is ideal. When traveling in the wilderness, make noise, stay in groups, avoid areas with limited visibility, always seal and dispose of trash in campground dumpsters designed for bears, and never leave your bear spray in your pack. When you've done everything to avoid an encounter, being properly armed can save your life. Insure everyone has a functioning can, and though it might be uncomfortable as the can is cumbersome, keep it within reach.

And use bear spray. Bear spray is far more effective than a rifle or handgun. Small, rounded objects, no matter how fast they fly though flesh, rarely prove an effective deterrent in the critical few seconds it takes for a charging bear to kill. Hit a bear in the face with a stream of capsicum and you'll not only save your life, but the bear's life too. When a bear kills a human, humans destroy the bear as a matter of policy. Also, bear spray expires. Check the dates before you depart.

I might be terrified of bears but I do not blame them. I love animals. The arrogance, ignorance, and trespasses of humans into the bear territory generate the unfortunate encounters. The ultimate way to avoid an attack is through respect. Keep your distance, stay on the trails, never hike alone, and camp in well-maintained sites. I hope one day, we will stop encroaching on their habitat and turning them into objects of amusement. When we finally honor them as the true mountain-man and prepare ourselves to enter their space, these attacks should eventually die off.