Trails crews working for the US Forest Service in Alaska generally have a point person carrying a 12 GA. Not sure what load they use. They also carry spray. New members to the crews each year get bear and gun safety training. If you're riding in a USFS helo you also get dunk tank and immersion suit training.

Spray and noise seem to be the common practices among the Fish and Game folks as well. Though I do think that folks out at the isolated fish weirs also take a firearm. Usually 2 people stay out at a remote weir for 45-60 days monitoring the salmon runs, always bears near by. I'll follow up on that with the DD2 who has that job this summer.

Very interesting thread. Great demonstration of your skills and the ability to stay calm. I am glad that you are OK. Thanks for sharing your story. Very valuable informations (from others too).

Do you (or anyone here) think if following things would discourage a bear?:

- a burning torch - for example this one: http://www.wulflund.com/tents/medieval-tents/natural-torch---95-minutes.html

-(instead of air horn) Sportzwiz electronic whistle/signaler (120 decibels) http://www.acmewhistles.ca/ > Specialty Whistles > Electronic Whistle/Signaler

P.S. Are you the author of this story, Colorama? I am confused by the sentence "Used with permission from the author, Peter Upton".

No.

Brenneke Black Magic 3" slugs.

Why ban folding knives when you can ban bear spray?

From today's Globe & Mail (Canada's Irrational Newspaper):
Communities fuming as bear spray becomes weapon of choice

I'm not the author, Mr Peter Upton is. My story is the useless bear bell one.

Also: A group of more than 5 hikers has never been attacked by a bear.

I think learning the proper way to avoid bears is as important as getting the equipment to shoot it.

What's interesting to me about this story is that it says a "BLACK BEAR" not a BROWN BEAR. Black bears are not known to attack humans let alone follow / chase them down... they want an easy meal, some quick leftover scraps, a trash can, etc... rarely do you hear of black bears attacking humans especially with no cubs involved.

That was also very useful observation, thanks for sharing it. One would think that the bear jingle bell would alert the bear (it´s designed for that) but it seems the reality is different. Anyway I would be likely annoyed by the jingle bell and rather turn on some small radio or play some simple instrument/blow the whistle from time to time instead.

The latest thinking on black bears is that most attacks don't involve cubs or territorial defense, but a predacious bear that views its victim as a potential food source. These bears typically do follow the victim and hunt him or her down, although it's very rare. The behaviour described in the original post is typical -- the bear is following, circling around, snooping about.

This is in contrast to the grizzly, which although it's much more capable of hunting humans, typically attacks out of territorial behaviour or defense of its cubs.

It's about the opposite of what you would expect, and it's why the usual black bear advice -- "don't bother carrying bear spray, just yell and bang pots and it will run away" -- is irresponsible and incorrect. Most black bears will run away if you bang pots, all right -- but most black bears aren't the ones who will attack and kill you.

Andrew, just so I'm sure that I understood your point that I quoted--you're saying that the kind of black bear that isn't scared off by loud noises is likely the kind of bear that sees you as food and will attack, correct?

I mean that "most" black bears, meaning normal black bears that come snuffling around looking for your food pack, aren't the ones that attack people.