Bear Bells
Are bear bells effective? Do they keep just the bears away or other hikers as well?
The only thing bear bells will accomplish is annoying every hiker within earshot of you. I don't think bear bells will do a darn thing in terms of repelling bears.
It's better to just talk as you walk in bear country so the beat knows you are coming. Usually, the bear is already walking away before you notice him. Bears have a great sense of smell.
Bear bells on the AT alerts me to the presence of a newbie.
I've heard it is very difficult getting the bells around the bear's neck but have never tried it myself....lol
ThisOriginally Posted by max patch
Bear bells on the AT alerts me to the presence of a newbie.
Awesome
It's easy to grin / When your trip comes in / And you've got the MUDs and PUDs beat. / But the man worthwhile, / Is the man who does miles, / When his shorts are too tight in the seat.
"The National Park Rangers are advising hikers in Glacier National Park and other Rocky Mountain parks to be alert for bears and take extra precautions to avoid an encounter.
They advise park visitors to wear little bells on their clothes so they make noise when hiking. The bell noise allows bears to hear them coming from a distance and not be startled by a hiker accidentally sneaking up on them. This might cause a bear to charge.
Visitors should also carry a pepper spray can just in case a bear is encountered. Spraying the pepper into the air will irritate the bear's sensitive nose and it will run away.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh bear scat so you have an idea if bears are in the area. People should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat.
Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper."
http://www.boyscouttrail.com/content/joke/joke-606.asp
WOW, we've been discussing this for the past 4 days on another titled thread!
Please speak louder I can't hear you.
This program does'nt get any louder Max.
Been hiking over 30 years and never been bothered by bears. Till the last 2 years, I do not like close encounters, makes my heart pound to hard. I wear a bell always now, I cannot hear the pitch so it does not matter to me. It is also behind me so perhaps the bears do not hear it either. Why does it bug folks, It is a bell not a rap song.
Now that you mention it I have seen alot of ear buds on the trail lately.
Reminds me of coming up on a couple in SNP last year banging pots while walking along. I kind of knew what the deal was but I just had to ask, yeah they saw a bear. I had to get around them and down the trail asap.... I wanted to see a bear.Bear bells on the AT alerts me to the presence of a newbie.
Hokey Pokey
^^^^^ thisBear bells on the AT alerts me to the presence of a newbie.
I have a pair that I will give you just pay postage. You need to check the black bear site out lots of information they are more afraid of you than you are of them but there are many exceptions. The site is www.bear.org
I agree with DavidNH and also leaftye
Last edited by Chicken Feathers; 06-08-2012 at 20:57. Reason: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
The mountains are calling and I have to go
Why would you want to keep the bears away? Then you could never get a photo of them.
My usual response to any question related to the fear of bears on the East Coast/ A.T. Is that I recommend you spend some time reading through the North American Bear Center's website http://www.bear.org/website/, which is primarily dedicated to black bears (the species we have on the east coast) It dispels most of the myths and misconceptions that are common.
Long story short, as long as you have a decent bit of knowledge about black bears and respect them, they will pose virtually no threat to you.
It's called "Lyme" disease, not "Lymes" disease! (Hint: There's only one Lyme)
"This sucks and I love it"
useless as teats on a bull
Well that all depends on what the bull is into.
It's called "Lyme" disease, not "Lymes" disease! (Hint: There's only one Lyme)
"This sucks and I love it"
never seen a tranny bull
Get you some firecrackers and set one off every once in a while. Bonus points for lighting sparklers around your tent at night...
99% of bears (I made that # up) wont mess with you, bell or no bell, they will run away.
The other 1% that might be having a bad day, just might. Bell or no bell.
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