On Aug 22, 1:56*pm, (Judy Haffner) wrote:
> 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

I wonder about an air horn? It would probably scare the crap out of
them...