Regarding the bear bells and bear pepper spray, they are being recommended
for areas that have black bears only.  They are finding that these methods
are less effective for grizzly bears.  Many national forests, parks, etc
where bears are intermingled are notifying hikers and campers to determine
which type of bear area they are in by teaching how to identify tracks and
scat.  Black bear tracks are smaller, about 4" wide vs grizzlies which I
can't remember how big.  Black bear scat will have lots of berries while
grizzly scat will have bells in it and smell like pepper.

Its almost friday anyway
On Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 8:49 PM, Don Trowbridge <dontro@sti.net> wrote:

> When camping out in the woods in your Vanagon Westy a whistle would
> be better than bells.  Backpackers always have a whistle along while
> in bear country.  A dog works to.  My neighbor always takes his dog
> with him while hiking in our area. (Yes, we have bears) The dogs
> name: Bear Bait!
>
> Don Trowbridge
> '89 Westy Syncro
> Oakhurst, Ca
>
> >---- Original Message ----
> >From: mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: Re: Ultimate Camping List;
>  >Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:30:00 -0600
> >
> >>"Some research has indicated that this is NOT a good thing as it
> >makes them
> >>curious and they come investigate."
> >>Mark, tell them about the rest of that research .... the part where
> >when the
> >>bears die of natural causes, they do a post mortem and what they
> >found in
> >>their stomachs was bells.
> >>
> >>bob
> >>
>

--
Alan Felder
Austin TX
82 Diesel Westy