Backpacking in Grizzly Country

Great article! I appreciate the admonishment to those who would be lazy, or make up their “own truths” instead of following science-based advice. I have hiked in grizzly country for many years now; even a walk out my back door is potentially grizzly country. When I was in my 20s working in Denali and couldn’t find anyone to backpack with, I went solo; many of us did. I probably wouldn’t do that today though, being a more cautious person and knowing more people who have been mauled or attacked.  I do take issue with one of your statements though. I really hate when people yell “hey bear.” I think it’s like calling wolf. When you yell “bear” everyone around assumes there is a bear. What are you going to yell to fellow hikers when there is a bear? It’s very easy to shift the pattern to “hey ho” or whatever else you want to yell in thick brush, that helps the bear hear you, but others in the vicinity know there is a person there, not a bear. Thanks for your article; I hope folks without bear experience read it and pay attention.

Good article.  I think the focus on lower 48 is smart because I do think there is a real difference between a Yellowstone grizzly and a grizzly in interior Alaska or a coastal brown bear. Same principles but some things are different. First it’s perfectly normal to camp next to a pile of fresh meat on a hunt. That basically takes the worst behavior from the lower 48 and dials it to 11. But problems seem relatively rare.

I remember when I shot my first caribou I was super nervous about this. I tried to keep blood off my pants… epic fail. So I hung the meat and hiked back to my base camp because I thought I’d be safer with my neighbor hunter if a bear raided my tent. Turns out he had hearing aids he took out so he would have been no help if a bear had chewed on me at night.

It probably helps that there just aren’t as many people doing such things compared to say Yellowstone campers. And for better or worse bears that get too bold tend to get shot. On the other hand a grizzly in a super remote valley in Canada grabbed my friend’s pack because he left a sealed pack of dry oatmeal in there. You never know, I never would have guessed that would be the one time I had problems on a camping trip with bears.

Bottom line. Be smart and be humble. Just because you “got away” with something once doesn’t mean it’s a great idea. Statistics are nice for separating anecdotes from real probability of problems in a situation.

I’d just like to point out the current range graphic should include the Idaho panhandle area.   https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/brochure-2020-hunting-in-grizzly-bear-country.pdf

where was that?

most of the time black bear runs away fearfully in my experience

except Olympic National Park where they mostly ignore humans like your experience

I don’t know what “protocol” would be in a tent, but personally I’d be armed and ready with bear spray, and making as much human noise as possible, with a bear outside my tent. It’s just a piece of thin cloth so you’re no safer in there hiding like a rabbit. I haven’t checked to see if there’s any actual research on that scenario though – kind of doubt it.

Brown bears and grizzly bears are the same species.

Thanks,  guys, I get my black and brown bears confused  when writing about them. Knowing this about myself, I included the added info that I was writing about Sierra bear. There are no grizzlies  in the Sierra. Hence, I assumed my meaning would be  clear. Apparently not.

In my own defense, so called Black Bears are most often brown colored in the Sierra. But not always! sure, I understand the hair color doesn’t define a species. I’ve studied Aristotle. I understand the difference between accidents and substance.

Meanwhile, I hope someone will respond to my actual  point, which is, one may not hear a grizzly approach your tent before an attack. True? As I also mentioned,  I have  no experience in Grizzly country.

At the end of the day, it won’t really matter if you accurately identify the species of bear that’s mauling you.

“At the end of the day, it won’t really matter if you accurately identify the species of bear that’s mauling you.”

Joking aside, it absolutely matters. Black bear-fight back. Grizzly defensive attack, play dead.

from NPS.GOV

Brown/Grizzly Bears: If you are attacked by a brown/grizzly bear, leave your pack on and PLAY DEAD. Lay flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck. Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over. Remain still until the bear leaves the area. Fighting back usually increases the intensity of such attacks. However, if the attack persists, fight back vigorously. Use whatever you have at hand to hit the bear in the face.

Black Bears: If you are attacked by a black bear, DO NOT PLAY DEAD. Try to escape to a secure place such as a car or building. If escape is not possible, try to fight back using any object available. Concentrate your kicks and blows on the bear’s face and muzzle

Scenario is Grizzly is not attacking but investigating tent, camp. Best to remain silent, make noise?

Brad in that scenario I’d get ready to deploy bear spray THEN make noise. Chances are the bear will run. If not, you might have a habituated bear and a dose of bear spray is best for everyone.

“Brown/Grizzly Bears: If you are attacked by a brown/grizzly bear,  Remain still until the bear leaves the area. Fighting back usually increases the intensity of such attacks. However, if the attack persists, fight back vigorously. Use whatever you have at hand to hit the bear in the face.

Black Bears: If you are attacked by a black bear, DO NOT PLAY DEAD. Try to escape to a secure place such as a car or building. If escape is not possible, try to fight back using any object available. Concentrate your kicks and blows on the bear’s face and muzzle”

So…if you’re attacked by a brown colored bear, don’t fight back, unless things reach a certain point. Then, indeed fight back! However, if you’re attacked by a black colored bear, and you accurately identify it a as a brown bear; or  it’s a brown colored bear, and you correctly identify it as a black bear…fight like hell.

That’s helpful. (eyeroll emoji here). My guess is that in the middle of a sudden bear attack, the last thing that occurs to you is to identify the species of bear and remember the rules.

If I’m in grizzly country and an aggressive bear comes charging, I’d use bear spray or a gun to defend myself. If I’m in the Sierra, or anywhere on the West Coast south of Canada, I don’t carry bear spray or a gun. I don’t need it. I’ve come to a good understanding with Sierra bears. We’re sympatico. Grizzlies around the Tetons? not so much.

@Bob L. I have asked this question to those who have hiked in Grizzly areas and gotten mixed answers. I got no-not needed to have separate set of eating clothes, to yes, separate set of clothes. I would like someone with more expertise to chime in.