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Posted by Bryan L on February 18, 2008 at 9:28:57 pm EST
In reply to Re: Bears, Bears, Bears posted by kutenay on February 18, 2008 at 4:50:06 pm EST

the seasoned pros I mentioned mostly include rangers and I only know them by first name. Its hard to remember their names but I believe one was named Kelly and she was stationed at the base just before Moose mountain in K country. As well a Ranger named Bruce that I had a good long talk with out in Banff half way around lake minnewanka. Both were between 1996 and 2000. I also went to a couple Bear awareness courses held by MEC around that same time. I wish I had a better memory of the presenters but alas no luck.

Also I remember a course on Backcounty navigation (staying found). The course was through Mount Royal in Calgary and its instructor was a 10+ year professional guide (so he said) that worked out of northern California. This genius had no idea about bears and took us out on one memorable trip into a field of wild berry's, bear scat and diggings in late fall... Well lets just say I had to say some choice words to this "guide". You know how you get this creepy tingle running down your spine when you KNOW something is not right? Well I was more than a little afraid.

Both the griz encounters I have had were quick and not very eventfull (thankfully) Both times I came around a corner and their they were. Both times they were a long way away from me but close enough that I had my heart rate jump to double the speed. The first time the bear turned and walked into the bush in a matter of a few seconds. The second time the bear turned on the trail and faced me. Stood there of a good 20 secondes (seemed like a hour). Took a couple steps toward me and then slowly walked into the low bush to the side of the trail. I was at a loss at the time if I should keep walking toward where the bear was or hang out for some time. I ended up just having a good sit down and eating a power bar and water. I waited for almost a half hour and made allot of noise in that time. I had the fear in me for the rest of the day.

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