to minimize that potential and the most important would be not to sur- prise a bear. In 2014, I worked to the east of Denali in Alaska on the Susitna River. I spent several weeks con- ducting stream surveys in locations only accessible by helicopter. Dur- ing this time, I saw more than 15 grizzlies from either helicopter or float plane as we searched out loca - tions. Often, we would see them as we approached our target area and then spend the day working with the knowledge that they were in the immediate vicinity. Once we located a suitable area, we would bushwhack up the various creeks, measuring the length of river features such as “riffle, run, pool and glide.” Each group had a bear guard watching us while we worked. The guards each carried several cans of bear spray and a shotgun loaded with bullets in this order; first rub - ber pellets, then a rubber slug and then a lead slug. The thought was to first use bear spray to deter the bears, with the deterrent increas- ing in severity should the shotgun be needed. We were instructed to yell out as we hiked through the dense riparian brush alongside the creeks. Should we be hiking on an established game trail and encounter a grizzly, we should make noise and step far off the trail, allowing the bear to pass, while taking a defensive stance with bear spray and shotgun. Grizzlies do not like to be surprised or blocked from getting to where they are going. In the entire length of the project, which ran all summer, there had not been a single encounter with a griz- zly bear. In the fall as the summer crowds leave the mountains, grizzly bears will begin to pack on weight in prep-
aration for their winter hibernation. They may be particularly aggressive as they search out food, potentially wandering into towns and areas out- side of areas where you would nor- mally expect to see them. Be cautious, make noise, carry bear spray and know how to use it. The grizzlies are there. They want to avoid you as much as you want to avoid them, and they are likely more aware of your existence than you are of theirs. Chance
encounters where you surprise them can be a dangerous encounter.
I’m glad to live in an area where there is still some “wild” left to be had. North Idaho and Eastern Washington have some amazing ter- rain where few people still go. Those are the places I am drawn to. If you are like me and spend your week- ends looking for and exploring these places, just know and be prepared for what you may find. N
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Photo provided by Jason Wilmoth
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