As we pursue the sport we love, we often place ourselves in hazardous situations. The Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen Board supports an informative corner to sharpen our be smart and safe behaviors.
Grizzly Bear Safety
submitted by Elaine and John Cook
Grizzly Bear Safety
submitted by Elaine and John Cook
Having just spent considerable time in grizzly territory, we offer the following tips. We repeatedly got advice from Forest Rangers, camp hosts, sporting goods store personnel, fly shop clerks, and there seems to be a consensus.
Avoid startling a bear: Make lots of noise, and any bear in your area will try to avoid you. Talk loudly, and/or blow a whistle frequently. Scan your surroundings frequently; don't concentrate so hard on the water and your fishing that you become oblivious to what might be going on around you.
Protect yourself during an encounter: Raise your arms above your head, try to look as big as possible. Carry Grizzly Bear Spray (in a canister about 8" tall and 2" in diameter). Attach the canister to your belt so it is easily accessible. Have it in your hand if you encounter a bear, as you are raising your arms to look big. Follow the directions on the canister: one spray in general direction of an approaching bear usually deters him. If it doesn't, spray directly at the bear's head. Grizzly Bear Spray is readily available in the Rocky Mountains.
Guns don't usually work unless you can get off a direct head shot while adrenaline is causing your hands to shake.
Other Safety Tips:
Never hike or fish alone.
Keep your camp scrupulously clean.
Pack your food away in a hard-sided vehicle.
When camping in a wilderness area, hang your food high and away from a tree trunk, do not store any items in your tent that have strong odors, like food, deodorant, toothpaste, gum, canned goods or sodas. Try to sleep as far away from such items as you can.