Bear Country

Today has been quite relaxing for a Monday. Brandon is off makin’ the bacon, while I’m at home after working the weekend shift at the hospital.  This morning I did a little reading, little baking, little movie-watching, then got tired of being in the house and decided to get out for a run.

Had to show off my cool new kicks

As I was gearing up and planning my route, it suddenly occurred to me that this wasn't going to be my typical city park run. I was about to head out alone into the Alaskan wilderness – aka bear country.

Bears are a major topic of discussion ‘round these parts. I don’t think we have met a single local who doesn’t have a bear story. They are literally everywhere. We've heard of sightings on hiking trails, along the highway, around the city of Anchorage, and even in the grocery store:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A89_HuK8z08

Since neither Brandon nor I desire to become bear poop anytime soon, we have been doing our homework about bear safety.  We have the basics down on what NOT to do: don’t surprise a bear. Don’t come between a mama and her cubs.  Don’t carry food. Don’t get too close. Don’t run from a bear.

It’s the “what to do” scenarios that are quite confusing and honestly a little ridiculous. If attacked, there are some instances where you are supposed to fight back and others where you are supposed to play dead.  For example- fight back only if it’s a black bear OR a grizzly that’s hungry but NOT if it’s a grizzly who just feels threatened. Ha! “Excuse me, Mr. Grizzly. I see you are finding my leg quite tasty. Is that because you are hungry or are you feeling threatened? Just wondering.”

Or this gem of advice, my personal favorite, from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

“Talk to the bear in a normal voice. Wave your arms. You may try to back away slowly diagonally, but Don't Run. You can't outrun a bear. They have been clocked at speeds up to 35 mph, and like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Bears often make bluff charges, sometimes to within 10 feet of their adversary, without making contact. Continue waving your arms and talking to the bear. If the bear gets too close, raise your voice and be more aggressive.”

(http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=livingwithbears.bearcountry)

Is it just me, or would any sane human wanting to live another day NOT stand around waving their arms when a 1,000 pound beast is charging at you? Hopefully we never have to make that kind of decision, but we did prepare nevertheless. 

My bear spray

Brandon's bear spray

There are sources out there that say shooting a bear will only make it more angry, and that some bears actually like the smell of bear spray. But we figure we’ll take that chance over the arm waving and stern voice. 

I felt a little silly lugging around a Pam-sized spray bottle as I jogged around this afternoon, but luckily I didn't have to unleash my mist of fury today. No bears in sight. The run was quite pretty, though:

Happy first week of fall!