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Thoughts on bear spray for smoky mountain hikes
Posted on 6/2/24 at 10:38 am
Posted on 6/2/24 at 10:38 am
Last summer we were on a hike to Grotto Falls. I was ahead of my family a bit and I heard a stick break down the slope from the trail so I stopped and sure enough a bear was coming up and got on the trail. If he had not broken the stick, we would’ve met at the trail at the same time. I have no idea what would’ve happened had that happened but it makes me nervous. Was considering ordering a can for worst case scenario.
12
Posted on 6/2/24 at 11:42 am to VanRIch
Are you asking what our thoughts are or are you sharing your thoughts?
I visited Banff a few times when I lived in Calgary back in 2019 and having bear spray on hikes was expected
I visited Banff a few times when I lived in Calgary back in 2019 and having bear spray on hikes was expected
Posted on 6/2/24 at 11:45 am to VanRIch
Sounds like you answered your own question
If you aren’t in grizzly territory, I don’t think bear spray is expected but if you have kids with you it isn’t a bad idea.
If you aren’t in grizzly territory, I don’t think bear spray is expected but if you have kids with you it isn’t a bad idea.
Posted on 6/2/24 at 11:45 am to VanRIch
We started carrying bear spray 20 years ago. Been a national park fan since childhood and the bears have definitely gotten bolder around people. Better to have it just in case.
Posted on 6/2/24 at 12:35 pm to VanRIch
I attach a bear bell to my pack so I don’t sneak up on one. It has a silencer for when it’s not needed. I’ve brought spray with me in grizzly country, but sometimes it’s so windy I’m not even sure how much it would help, but at least I could try I guess. With small kids I’d likely bring it.
Posted on 6/2/24 at 12:48 pm to VanRIch
NC national park bears aren't afraid of humans, there are multiple incidents every year. There's no hunting allowed on the national park land. However, in the neighboring national forest (not park) land, there is a black bear hunting season. That bear population avoids people. The ones that get curious about people get culled from the population during hunting season. You never hear about negative bear encounters on the national forest land where there's a hunting season for them.
This post was edited on 6/2/24 at 12:49 pm
Posted on 6/2/24 at 1:53 pm to specchaser
Yeah I guess I did, haha. I also wanted to see if someone had an alternative like the bear bell someone mentioned. Well I’m going to get a can of this then.
Bear spray and harness
Bear spray and harness
Posted on 6/2/24 at 6:10 pm to VanRIch
quote:you know how you tell the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat?
bear bell
Posted on 6/2/24 at 6:44 pm to cgrand
quote:
you know how you tell the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat?
Black bear shite is smaller and contains a lot of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly shite has bells in it and smells like pepper.
Posted on 6/2/24 at 9:00 pm to Deuce McWin
Posted on 6/3/24 at 12:28 am to VanRIch
My thoughts-
If I thought I was going to have a close encounter with a bear, I would not want to have to rely on any kind of bear spray. But that is just me.
If I thought I was going to have a close encounter with a bear, I would not want to have to rely on any kind of bear spray. But that is just me.
Posted on 6/3/24 at 8:28 am to VanRIch
Seems to me that it's better to have and not need vs. need and not have.
Posted on 6/3/24 at 10:26 am to VanRIch
G20
Posted on 6/3/24 at 10:29 am to Crawdaddy
Im hiking the Standing Indian Trail in NC next month. Two nights on the trail. Bears are in the area.
The main campground recently had a bear go through someone's vehicle.
Park bears.
Hanging food is a must
The main campground recently had a bear go through someone's vehicle.
Park bears.
Hanging food is a must
Posted on 6/3/24 at 2:00 pm to Pioneer BS 175
quote:
Seems to me that it's better to have and not need vs. need and not have.
Nah you don’t need it with black bears it’s just extra weight.
Posted on 6/3/24 at 8:16 pm to VanRIch
My granddaughter and her partner have completed over 1200 miles of the Appalachian Trail thus far this year (they will finish the entire trail by autumn). She has a PhD in some type of forestry management from Auburn (War Eagle!). I sent her a text this afternoon about the need for bear spray on the AT. She replied that it wasn't needed for the black bears they're liable to encounter. She added that if you are in an area where there may be grizzlies, have the spray.
Posted on 6/3/24 at 8:43 pm to VanRIch
357 magnum
Posted on 6/3/24 at 9:52 pm to ndtiger
quote:
357 magnum
Posted on 6/3/24 at 11:00 pm to VanRIch
Last May, overnight camping was banned for a time along a section of the AT after a black bear that showed no fear of humans bit a hiker in the Smoky Mountain NP.
Posted on 6/4/24 at 10:25 am to VanRIch
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