Among The Bears by Benjamin Kilman and Ed Gray

[Hikerhead]

If you're interested in bears and what makes them tick, this is the book. While hiking in NH with DebW we found these signs around the Smart Mtn area. Last week I found this book in my door, thanks DW. Ben Kilham takes in orphaned bears and teaches them the way of the woods so that they may be released. The bears end up teaching him. Quite a story.

[Hammock Hanger]

If you're interested in bears and what makes them tick, this is the book. While hiking in NH with DebW we found these signs around the Smart Mtn area. Last week I found this book in my door, thanks DW. Ben Kilham takes in orphaned bears and teaches them the way of the woods so that they may be released. The bears end up teaching him. Quite a story.

I too found this little gem by my door. Also from DW. Can't wait to read it. I saw signs like this in July of 2002 as I was hiking up to Hexacuba Shelter.

Hammock Hanger

[DebW]

Ben Kilham owns land adjoining Lamberts Ridge on the south side of Smarts Mountain, and that's where his orphan cubs live while Kilham plays surrogate mother to them. His approach is to let them live in the woods in a large cage, but with frequent walks to learn foraging and to encounter the smells of wild bears. Being a surrogate mother to bear cubs means providing supplemental food and psychological comfort, ie. letting them suckle on his ears. Otherwise, he just lets them be bears and observes things that no one else knew about bear behavior. Fascinating book.

[Hikerhead]

Two rules for hiking around Smarts Mtn.

Don't crawl on all 4's with your ears exposed.

Don't carry dog food with you.