Above: Pack a can of bear spray for self defense
Photo: Duane Radford
Circle: Sow grizzly and cubs digging up Hedysarum roots — stay clear
Photo: Duane Radford
and explode at the end of their
range. I’ve used them to scare
black bears on coastal streams
in British Columbia and they do
work. I’ve never tried one on a
grizzly, but the idea would be to
try to scare it while it is still a
distance away.
I also carry bear spray. There
are several types of bear spray on
the market. Purchase spray that
has a capsaicin concentration
of one per cent, which is at
the upper limit of what is
recommended for animals.
Capsaicin is a component of chili
pepper and is a strong irritant
to mammals. Practise using
the spray before you venture
outdoors, and make sure it has
not passed its expiry date.
52 | arta.net
Bear Attacks
There are no absolute rules
“...the one thing
regarding what you should do
you can count on
if attacked by a black bear or
grizzly, but you might want to
with bears is that
read some self-defence scenarios.
aep.alberta.ca/recreation-
they are incredibly
public-use/alberta-bear-
smart/default.aspx
unpredictable...”
and/or simplywildcanada.
com/wild-species/
bears is that they are incredibly
mammals-of-canada/
unpredictable,” David O’Farrell
bear-safety-tips/
said in an interview. “You just
Summary
never know what they will do.”
While most bears will avoid
With all this in mind, be wary
people, there are always
of bears should you see their
exceptions.
signs and keep your distance
“A lifetime spent in bear
should you sight one. Be
country for many months each
proactive and stay safe. ●
year has taught me that the one
thing you can count on with