First time AT hike - Bears!!!!!

[garyaine]

Folks,

I am an experienced hiker but, as I am based in Ireland and hike mainly in Europe, I rarely encounter bears (or any large mamals!). Truly want to section hike the AT over the next 5/10 years but am very very nervous of bears. Any advice? (and yes - I accept I am a pansy who should probably stay at home - but the urge to hike is just outweighing the fear!). Any help would help!! I already know the odds are in my favour but fear is fear!! Thanks! Gary.

[Sly]

Get over your fears....

Seeing a bear in the wild is by far one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have while hiking.

[Sassafras Lass]

Do you have any zoos that contain black bears? Perhaps you could go visit them and study them - their size, their habits, how they move, and think about how you would fight back if ***** hit the fan and a bear attacked you.

We're not saying don't be cautious while on the trail. But do realize that the majority of wildlife is more scared of you than you are of it, and that attacks are very, very rare, and often can be circumvented with quick thinking and care.

Are you thru-hiking this year? Be glad to see you if you are - I know we have an Aussie gentleman as well as someone from Germany - from where in Ireland do you hail?

[DrRichardCranium]

The problem with bears is that they run away before you can get your camera out.

[Sassafras Lass]

See you're from Wexford - I've been to Dublin, Limerick, Cork, technically Belfast (on the dock), some little 14th century monastery, and then Shannon airport, but I've never been out your way. I imagine it's just as gorgeous as everywhere else

[Ontiora]

Bring some pepper spray...

[asciibaron]

Bring some pepper spray...

ditto on this - they like seasoned food.

they are very timid and won't bother you.

[SouthMark]

Check out the bear facts at:

http://www.bear.org/website/

They have been studying bears in the wild for many years and dispel many myths about black bears. Only in the movies are bears something to fear.

[DVNDSN]

I wouldn't worry about them. GSMNP website says if you see a bear, back away slowly, don't turn your back, and don't run. If the bear scrapes the ground, snarls, and approaches you as your backing away, stand your ground, make loud noises, banging sticks, make yourself look as big as possible (stand on something). According to me: A lot of hikers on this site just advise you to not worry about them. If you're not comfortable with that, buy a bear bell or bear spray. Talk loudly to yourself too (free alternative).

[Sickmont]

I've never seen one in real life but i "heard" that you should never make eye contact with one thats getting aggresive with you. Any truth to this?

[hikerboy57]

ditto on this - they like seasoned food.

they are very timid and won't bother you.

Bring a Bowie Knife if the pepper spray is not to their liking

[garyaine]

Thanks F-STOP. Sensible suggestion. We live in Wexford (around 60 miles south of the capital Dublin. Planning first section hike for 2012.

[bigcranky]

I've had the good luck to see several bears on the AT. In every case, they either totally ignored me, or immediately ran away. One ran about 30 feet and stopped to look back at us, clearly very curious and just as clearly non-threatening (you can read a bear's body language.)

Bottom line: don't worry about it. But don't smear yourself in bacon grease either.

[JEBjr]

Bears are beautiful creatures. But I guess we all have fears. Snakes bother me. It isn't a rational fear. I blame a lot of it on that CBS annual cartoon Rikki Tikki Tavi that had the cobras in it as villians. And possibly some Sunday school lessons as a small child involving serphants or snakes as the villia

[SouthMark]

As I said a few posts back, the media and entertainment industry make bears meaner and more dangerous than they are. Bears DO NOT GROWL but movie makes dub in wolf growls to create more intense fear in the scene(s).

[RevLee]

Don't fret about the bears, I didn't see my first one on the trail until New Jersey. The mice are the creatures you really need to worry about.

[sixguns01]

Don't fret about the bears, I didn't see my first one on the trail until New Jersey. The mice are the creatures you really need to worry about.

MICE REALLY BAD!!!

I live in NJ and Hike/backpack here often and bears are everywhere. Never had a problem on the trail. They see you, you see them, they go other way! That's the usual interaction. Keep food in a bag up in a tree at night and no big deal. I've met people who have never used a bear bag and no issue to date (just wait though).

My friend packs with bear spray. Not usable on the trail when it would take too long to get out and release the safety and spray. He would be down by then. He understands that. He likes to keep it with him in camp and at night. His real fear.

To each their own!

[sixguns01]

Wasn't joking about the Mice!! They really do suck! My first backpacking trip was on the AT in NJ right past the Delaware Water Gap. They had Bear boxes to keep your food in. The old red ones at the Backpacker Site that were kept on the floor. I'm so smart, left food in there. HA-bugger off bears. Next morning- No bears and no food. Damn Mice came through the rust hole on the bottom and destroyed my food supply. Gotta love mother nature.
Sorry for the rant

[Blissful]

I've only seen one per long distance hike; And it was minding its own business.

[rrsmith]

I have seen bears and they run away at the slightest noise. I am more worried about snakes, they don't run away. Just use common sense and hang your food !