Bear Mauling Phobia....don't want to become the next 'Grizzly(Wo)man!' (Anchorage: travel)

[DietitianVicky]

Hi everyone. My trip to ANC and surrounding regions is only 12 days away!! I am thrilled to pieces, but a bit concerned about the um....wildlife.....esp. since I plan to hike (though not in really remote backcountry, as I'm a solo woman). Can anyone give me an idea of how likely I am to become a tasty little vittle for one of the native furmeisters?? Seriously, I know all the precautionary measured regarding food securing, NOT running if you encounter one, etc etc. Still freaking out, but my love of nature and euphoria over this trip is winning out over the anxiety.

1. How likely am I to see/encounter a bear, if I hike on NPS trails, Flathead or the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail or around Alyeska resort?? Or any Seward trails? Exit Glacier area?? I intend to visit all of these areas.

2. Any beautiful hiking areas (within 2 hour radius of ANC) that locals can identify as less likely for bear encounters?? Well-traveled (but still rustic)trails, please?

3. Need to buy bear pepper spray?? If so, where is the most economical purchasing place in ANC for this??

4. For the ladies...is it true that bears can detect a woman during her cycle? What to do to prevent detection by these furry friends?

5. How aggressive are these fur-monsters? YES, I am scared. But I'm dually excited!!!


Thanks. Sorry for all my recent posts. I just am so thrilled to be embarking on this adventure of a lifetime for me!!! Vicky

[Xa'at]

You've been watching too much tv. Seriously, bears are dangerous animals, but just take some simple precautions and you will be fine.
1.) Make noise! Bears are probably more afraid of you then you are of them! It's cliché, but true. Since you're hiking alone (which is not recommended for a number of other reasons, by the way) bring a bear bell or sing loudly to yourself... whatever you have to do. This prevents you from "sneaking up" on a bear.
2.) Don't leave your stuff lying around, especially if you are camping. Bacon on your picnic table is like asking for a bear to show up.
3.) If you do come upon a bear, don't make any quick movements. Unless it is blocking your path, take a few pictures and move on. Don't try to approach it, touch it, or anything else. Just savor the experience!
4.) In the rare instance where a bear is aggressive (watch out especially for mothers with cubs- same story with moose) maintain eye contact and slowly back away.

Have a great time...!

[Rance]

1. How likely am I to see/encounter a bear, if I hike on NPS trails, Flathead or the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail or around Alyeska resort?? Or any Seward trails? Exit Glacier area?? I intend to visit all of these areas.

You can meet a bear anywhere. You just never know when or where. Sometimes in the most odd places. There are park rangers in the exit glacier area that will know of any sightings etc.

2. Any beautiful hiking areas (within 2 hour radius of ANC) that locals can identify as less likely for bear encounters?? Well-traveled (but still rustic)trails, please?

Resurection Trail goes by a small waterfall. Skilak Lake area has a handfull of nice trails. Skyline Trail is steep but only a mile long. A big bang for your buck with that one. You get right up and over look the Kenai Peninsula. The view is awesome.

3. Need to buy bear pepper spray?? If so, where is the most economical purchasing place in ANC for this??

Never hurts to have a can. Walmart or Fred Meyer should carry it as cheap as anyone.

4. For the ladies...is it true that bears can detect a woman during her cycle? What to do to prevent detection by these furry friends?

Yes it's true. Best prevention...do not hike or camp (alone anyway) during this time. Unless your sleeping in a motorhome or cabin. Just as a precautionary measure. Many still do.

5. How aggressive are these fur-monsters? YES, I am scared. But I'm dually excited!!!

Depends on the situation. This time of year they have plenty to eat. I don't forsee you getting eaten. But there is always a risk of getting between a sow and cubs. Keep your eyes open and ears alert. Make some noise along the trail so as not to surprise a bear of either sex. I'm sure you'll be fine. Hit the trail with an open mind but an alert one. Think positive (they smell fear!) and enjoy yourself. Keep that camera handy...and try not to scream so loud you scare "all" the animals when a spruce hen bursts into flight only a couple feet away!

[Manmountain]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

You've been watching too much tv. Seriously, bears are dangerous animals, but just take some simple precautions and you will be fine.
1.) Make noise! Bears are probably more afraid of you then you are of them! It's cliché, but true. Since you're hiking alone (which is not recommended for a number of other reasons, by the way) bring a bear bell or sing loudly to yourself... whatever you have to do. This prevents you from "sneaking up" on a bear.
2.) Don't leave your stuff lying around, especially if you are camping. Bacon on your picnic table is like asking for a bear to show up.
3.) If you do come upon a bear, don't make any quick movements. Unless it is blocking your path, take a few pictures and move on. Don't try to approach it, touch it, or anything else. Just savor the experience!
4.) In the rare instance where a bear is aggressive (watch out especially for mothers with cubs- same story with moose) maintain eye contact and slowly back away.

Have a great time...!

XA is right, TV furukases up more minds than the Cartel even imagined-- "TV IS A SUCCESS TO BRAINWASH THEMASSES". Dont even worry about bears- I tramped around there digs where they put moose carcasses and they never attacked me. Go have a great trip and dont WORRY........ Youll be fine... Love MM

[mal_flisk]

Kids and I fish with bears less than 250 yards away and maintain a watch on them. We leave them alone and vice versa. Admittedly, we are usually around a bunch of other people, and that probably prevents the more adventurous or aggressive bruins, but I have only been charged once (scary). When I was charged, I was backing away, and she stopped way short, snorted a couple of times and walked off. I rarely see bears, and always hike in groups. Lots of noisy kids help.

[cobolt]

I am a female and I hike solo quite a bit. Bears are always in the back of my mind. I do the noise thing (I like to sing alot) and I have seen a few bears off in the distance, but they were not a problem. I do know that you should follow the advice of those on this site and try not to freak yourself out too much. One thing that cracks me up is the perception that black bears are nice and grizzlies are mean and aggressive and the ones to watch out for. I can tell you that a bear is a bear and although there are general behaviors, each bear acts on his own, and above all, they are wild animals and therefore, unpredictable. Black bears can attack just as well as grizzlies. Sometimes you can do all the right things and the wrong thing will still happen. When I was in Juneau this past summer, a friend of mine went camping. He left his tent to go on a hike and when he returned, his tent was torn in two and the insides ravaged. Interestingly enough, he did not have any food lingering around---he only had trail mix and bars and they were on his person when he was hiking. The damage was clearly done by a bear, so you know, how do you explain that?

It's real easy to meet people who want to hike as well. Last time I was in Alaska, I had hiking companions every day, which was okay with me. I say be smart about everything and have fun.

cobolt

[Superbecky79]

Nope, I would not worry about the bears!

[allisen]

The trails you mentioned are very well traveled. It's not that couldn't see a bear on them, but it's definitely less likely. If you're really worried, maybe avoid hiking in the very early morning hours (before other noisy humans have preceded you).

[Xa'at]

All this talk about bears lately... I had a dream last night that I was walking out to my car and a bear came up to me and started following me around like a dog. Wanted me to pet it and everything. I guess that tells you how scared I am of bears! But seriously, a healthy respect for something much larger and stronger than you is really in order here, but don't let fear of something you may not see at all stop you from having a good time!

[FreeMarketSlave]

As I said on another thread, we lived in Anchorage throughout the 70's. Some say the bears aren't as bad these days...i don't know. We used to always go armed, as did most people in AK. A friend of mines dad was an orthopedic surgeon who would reattach limbs when the main man in Anchorage who did that was away. They would then fly them down to Seattle for the nerve work, if i remember right. To this day i can not sleep in a tent...can't do it. Either a very large caliber rifle or a 12 guage with slugs was our friend.