Jim wrote:

>Granted, this is an Alaskan page, but
> note; >http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/safety/bears.
>htm "Protection
>Most people who hike in Alaska's
> wilderness don't carry a weapon. They
> know that the best defense is common
> sense. Traveling and camping carefully
> are all that they need. If you feel the
> need for additional protection, consider
> carrying "pepper spray", a bear
> deterrent made from the juice of red-hot
> peppers. This incapacitating spray
> teaches bears a lesson without
> permanently maiming them. It's
> available at local sporting goods stores
> and at visitor centers. Be familiar with
> the characteristics of the brand you
> choose and its warnings.

>[But in real life a can of spray is a lot
> easier to have on your belt while picking
> berries.]

Yes, that is very true about the bear spray, as is quite effective!

I live in Alaska, but I've never shot anything except tin cans, when
hubby was teaching me to shoot a gun, when we were first married. He
goes in his airboat to his cabin during bear season to hunt them, and
once shot a large black bear through the screen, as it was trying to
come through the living room window, when had company here for a chicken
dinner!!

Living where we do, we can expect to have bears as neighbors! They are
plentiful, so is something we need to use common sense about. My hubby
has two artificial knees now because of a brown bear attack in '74 when
he was out moose hunting!

Judy