Backpacking fear: Sleeping with Black Bears

[Teotwawki]

Maybe it is a paternal thing partly.............TEOTWAWKI.
THink you would be as worried if you were alone and didn't feel you needed to safeguard your son and take care of his safety??

Probably partially - I'd feel safety in numbers if the son was with or not.

More chance that the bear would choose someone other than me...

[Rick]

You're welcome, Teotwawki. Glad I could help.

Ken, you are just a big glory hog!

[Ken]

Rick: "Gee, if only we had some shelter."
Ken builds 250 mansions on 1,000 acre lots.

Rick: "Gee, if only we could cross that river."
Ken builds bridge.

Rick: "Gee, if only we had a place to trade."
Ken builds Mall of America.

Rick: "What happens if we get sick?"
Ken builds modern medical center.

Rick: "Will ya' look at this! I'm building a city here!"

[Rick]

(head slap) Where IS your off button?

[Ken]

(head slap) Where IS your off button?

In a place where the Sun don't shine. You ain't gonna' go lookin' for it, are you?

[Teotwawki]

Ken - and I thought I was afraid of going to sleep with bears around...

Think you may need to set up a "perimeter" guard too.

[Rick]

I did say I was the ventriloquist didn't I?

[buttercup]

Probably partially - I'd feel safety in numbers if the son was with or not.

More chance that the bear would choose someone other than me...

Maybe shouldn't have said that . . .now no one who reads this will want to go . . . they won't know if you want them for their pleasant company or just to be your alternate as a 'bear/dinner.'

[Mountaintrekker]

TEOTWAWKI,
I have been backpacking and living outdoors for awhile now in the rockies and have never had a serious problem with the bruins. In black bear country I would just take the usual precautions like you are doing. If you are going to be on the AT, I'm not sure of the firearms laws for the area you will be traveling or your skill level with guns. I would probably get a can of good bear spray and a holster for it so it's at the ready. Most black bears are pretty timid, you can scare them off by banging pots and pants and shouting etc. You each have a whistle right?
Be aware of your surroundings and make noise as you travel. We like to butcher songs and make up dirty lyrics as we hike. Kind of keeps the spirits up and let's all the would be bad animals and people think you are friggin nuts! My fiance put the kabash on my cadence calls awhile back! She said it wasn't very relaxing.
Just be aware of what's around you and keep on keeping on. Have fun and carry a big stick!

[Teotwawki]

Most fears are groundless and irrational - I know that.

I'd just like to be able to get a good night sleep in the open air...

---
A story that sort of goes along with this. There is a widow in the county - thankfully not at all nearby - who bakes cakes for the black bears. She puts them in her backyard so she can watch them eat.

Hmmm...

Human = cake.
Bear finds me and son.
Where is my cake?
What do you mean no cake?
That pup over there looks sweet, I think I'll taste him since there is no cake.

The potential problem with bears, me thinks, is humans.

---
MountainTrekker - yep gotta whistle, got the bear spray... concern is a bear visiting while I am sound asleep. The thought keeps me from getting much sleep.

About skill level with guns... I was raised hunting and I am comfortable... although not the best shot in the world... Safety got fairly well beat into me as a kid. I get concerned about people who consider themselves firearm-handling experts - from my experience they tend to be the dangerous ones and I refuse to be around them when they are armed.

[bladefrenzy]

I spent a lot of time on the AT years ago. Born and raised in the Smoky's. Most of the bears we saw were just looking for food. If ya had it up, we used a bear can, no problem. Like said before they are pretty timid, unless they have cubs with them. I slept under tarps for years and copperheads were the only problem we ever had. I'm sure there have been some, but I never heard of a bear attack in the Smoky's while I was around the AT or the general area.

[Sunshine]

Besides, little tinkerbells (like the ones YOU wear on YOUR toes) won't wake anyone up until after they've become an appetizer.

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"Thanks for ringing the dinner bell!"

"No problem. How did you like that dinner?"

"You were right! It tasted just like chicken."

[Omid]

bears are afraid of fire. well thats what i heard.

[Rick]

OMG! That's hilarious!! Good one. Hot tub and all!

[crashdive123]

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"Thanks for ringing the dinner bell!"

"No problem. How did you like that dinner?"

"You were right! It tasted just like chicken."

I love it. Rubbermaid could have made a Superbowl commercial with that.

[locorogue]

Teot - Why don't you put up a perimeter guard? You carry para cord don't you? Just loop some around where you sleep and then tie a couple of bells to it. If you hear the bells during the night grab the bear spray. You know you'll never need it but if it gives you some piece of mind what's the harm? Toss a couple three small bells in the pack and your para cord and you'll be all set.

You'll be alerted to the two legged varmints, too.

I do this, but i use approx 25lb test fishing line. Bear bells are cool, not to promote wally-world, but they are carrying some sweet 'bear bells', loudest i've heard so far for their size, and under $2. i usually use my gi canteen cups, rigged to land on a nice rock, or mess kit. I usually do a 50ft perimeter. if there's no trees, just use tent stakes, etc. if i only have 5 seconds notice to any intruder, bear or other, thats all the time i need to get a grip,

[Barefoot]

i camp in bear country a lot and am a giant chicken as well. some things i do to sleep well are:

i use 4lb mono fishing line for a huge parameter. it is cheap and light.

carry a 45 handgun (automatic).

try to keep a fire going all night. use a pyramid fire when you can as they will burn longer.

when i hammock camp, i get my hammock 20 ft up! keeps my smell above the bear and gives my an advantageous position for a shot if needed.

other than that, i try not to think about it.

enjoy!

[Rick]

I get this mental picture of the bear pulling your hammock down like a slingshot and sending you flying. Then helping himself to the food.

[gryffynklm]

I like the fish line idea. If you get a cheep fishing reel, start at one end of your perimeter and let the line out. Reel it back up when you break camp. Bells can be attached to the line by sending a loop through the eye then over the bell.

Ken, Did I do that right?

[Rick]

Karl - How can you expect a lawyer to know the difference between right and wrong?