Alaska 2015 Getting/Being There and Return

[PrairieSpyder]

I heard that the way you tell a black bear from a grizzly when you are chased by a bear in the forest is to climb a tree. The black will climb up after you. The grizzly will knock the tree over!

 

[ARtraveler]

From what I am hearing and seeing about the Alaska trip, you folks may see some bears, for sure in Denali National Park. You may also see an occasional one on the road. Since I have not heard anything about wilderness hiking or camping, bears and attacks should not be a concern.

When I used to camp and travel the Minnesota Canoe Country, we encountered black bears quite often. We learned to put the foodpack between two trees on a rope, didn't leave inviting snacks around for them, and to put fish remains on "seagull rock" out in the lake somewhere. The guts would be eaten within about 10 minutes of placement. Black bears will normally take off scared if you bang on pots and pans.

We did have one walk through our campsite once, and our packs (non-food) were inspected. Also, one time when one got to close for comfort, we hopped in the canoe and went for a quick paddle. I never carried side arms in the canoe country.

I have a couple local bears that roam our neighborhood (black bears), but have never been bothered or intimidated by them. Also have some neighborhood moose. There are also urban bear and moose within the city of Anchorage.

 

[ARtraveler]

And that is how you can tell the difference between Grizzly scat and Black Bear scat. Black Bear scat is full of berry seeds and grass and Grizzly scat is full of bells, whistles and pepper spray cans. LOL

I guess I'm just one of those people that believe there is lots of paranoia about bears that is over emphasized. If I'm not mistaken, in the history of Denali Park, there has only been one death attributed to a Grizzly and that was just over 2 years ago when a hiker out doing some wilderness back packing was killed. He was alone and invaded the bears space while taking pictures and got too close for too long.

Timothy Treadwell was an tragedy waiting to happen. It can happen but the odds are so slim. Much greater odds of having a vehicle accident with a bear. Going on a bit of a rant here. Sorry. Have spent a lot of time in places with wild life and just find that many people over react.
"Hey Bear" works as well as anything to let them know you are around but don't let fear ruin your enjoyment of a fantastic trip.

Gary

If anyone watched Ultimate Survival Alaska last night, the bear BS and bear lore was running rampant when they were on Kodiak Island amongst the Kodiak bears. Did anyone catch the fake stuffed bears at least twice in the program? :roflblack::roflblack:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

From what I am hearing and seeing about the Alaska trip, you folks may see some bears, for sure in Denali National Park. You may also see an occasional one on the road. Since I have not heard anything about wilderness hiking or camping, bears and attacks should not be a concern.

When I used to camp and travel the Minnesota Canoe Country, we encountered black bears quite often. We learned to put the foodpack between two trees on a rope, didn't leave inviting snacks around for them, and to put fish remains on "seagull rock" out in the lake somewhere. The guts would be eaten within about 10 minutes of placement. Black bears will normally take off scared if you bang on pots and pans.

We did have one walk through our campsite once, and our packs (non-food) were inspected. Also, one time when one got to close for comfort, we hopped in the canoe and went for a quick paddle. I never carried side arms in the canoe country.

I have a couple local bears that roam our neighborhood (black bears), but have never been bothered or intimidated by them. Also have some neighborhood moose. There are also urban bear and moose within the city of Anchorage.

I've been horse-packing in the Yellowstone Park back country. The guide had been to each camp site before and put a log up between the branches of 2 trees. The we'd have all the food in containers and suspended from that log. The only thing on the ground and edible was us, the horses and pack animals. But we never had any problems.

 

[R FUN]

I think this bear scare in just that. I have owed a fishing and hunting lodge for 26 years and a big part of my buisiness was bear hunting and mostly bow hunting bear. Just take the precausions and bears are not looking for trouble, the big thing is do not get between the sow and her cubs or leave food around.
Also anyone thinking of bringing bear spray into Canada, please check with the border crossing first as it was always banned as a concield weapon.
Roger

 

[cognaccruiser]

I heard that the way you tell a black bear from a grizzly when you are chased by a bear in the forest is to climb a tree. The black will climb up after you. The grizzly will knock the tree over!

And you don't have to be able to out run a bear as long as you can out run some body you are with.

Gary

 

[cognaccruiser]

If anyone watched Ultimate Survival Alaska last night, the bear BS and bear lore was running rampant when they were on Kodiak Island amongst the Kodiak bears. Did anyone catch the fake stuffed bears at least twice in the program? :roflblack::roflblack:

I didn't see that episode. They sure do like to create drama where none exists. I enjoy these shows for the scenery but the wildlife BS is really bad. I blame these type of programs for a lot of the misinformation that gets put out. There are a couple of other shows just as bad. One called Mountain Men was terrible with misinformation about wolves, bears etc. Couldn't stand to watch it even though the scenery was fantastic.

Gary

 

[ARtraveler]

I didn't see that episode. They sure do like to create drama where none exists. I enjoy these shows for the scenery but the wildlife BS is really bad. I blame these type of programs for a lot of the misinformation that gets put out. There are a couple of other shows just as bad. One called Mountain Men was terrible with misinformation about wolves, bears etc. Couldn't stand to watch it even though the scenery was fantastic.

Gary

And lately, they have not even been out in the "wilderness." A couple weeks ago they were going down a river to the ocean. The river follows a road that is less than 50 ft. from the river. A ride that I do at least twice a year on the :spyder2:. The ocean shot was Turnagain Arm, right next to the Seward Highway and full of tourists. They filmed the south side where you cannot see the road because of the tree line. The pick up area was in a wetlands right next to the Seward Highway--which was not shown of course. :lecturef_smilie:

And...don't forget the "ever popular?" Gold Rush. I hope they put that one out of its misery after this season. :yes:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

And lately, they have not even been out in the "wilderness." A couple weeks ago they were going down a river to the ocean. The river follows a road that is less than 50 ft. from the river. A ride that I do at least twice a year on the :spyder2:. The ocean shot was Turnagain Arm, right next to the Seward Highway and full of tourists. They filmed the south side where you cannot see the road because of the tree line. The pick up area was in a wetlands right next to the Seward Highway--which was not shown of course. :lecturef_smilie:

And...don't forget the "ever popular?" Gold Rush. I hope they put that one out of its misery after this season. :yes:

Gold Rush isn't real???? We watch that all the time! I just think the guys from Washington are too stupid to be in public, though. And the guy with the heavy accent cusses way too much!

 

[PrairieSpyder]

YUKON TERR.

Yesterday I received the Yukon visitor guide and trip planner. Lot's of great info in it about things to do in places we'll be staying over and along the way!

Can't wait till summer so I can head NORTH TO ALASKA!!! hyea:

 

[murphybrown]

Milepost 2015

Yesterday I received the Yukon visitor guide and trip planner. Lot's of great info in it about things to do in places we'll be staying over and along the way!

Can't wait till summer so I can head NORTH TO ALASKA!!! hyea:

Also got email notification that my Milepost 2015 is being shipped....yep getting closer and closer and closer :yes::yes:

 

[cognaccruiser]

Some teasers

The huskies are just a few of the group we saw at Muktuc B&B. The buffalo are part of the heard south of Watson Lake and the Woodland Cariboo frequent the same area. Each time we have been this way we have seen both.
The pic of the cabin is near the border crossing between Alaska and Yukon on the Top of the World highway. Notice the population on the sign.

Gary

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Also got email notification that my Milepost 2015 is being shipped....yep getting closer and closer and closer :yes::yes:

I did, too!! But expected deliver isn't till 3/18, with Prime 2-day shipping. Can't wait!

 

[ARtraveler]

I did, too!! But expected deliver isn't till 3/18, with Prime 2-day shipping. Can't wait!

Still looking here. Not in Fred Meyers as of last Saturday. I know the Milepost will be here soon.

Look for my ad on page 132.

 

[philblumenfeld]

Vehicle and trailer

I would be willing to go along with my Honda Pilot pulling a 5x10 ft trailer if you guys would pay my expenses, certainly not at $1000/day.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I would be willing to go along with my Honda Pilot pulling a 5x10 ft trailer if you guys would pay my expenses, certainly not at $1000/day.

You're welcome to go, but I don't think we'll need your trailer.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Still looking here. Not in Fred Meyers as of last Saturday. I know the Milepost will be here soon.

Look for my ad on page 132.

I received my 2015 Milepost today (yea! 2 days earlier than estimated)!! hyea:

But I can't find an add on p.132! Wassup?

 

[PrairieSpyder]

An early April Fool for those that read my posts. :yes:

Got me!! pps::lecturef_smilie:

 

[ARtraveler]

I received my 2015 Milepost today (yea! 2 days earlier than estimated)!! hyea:

But I can't find an add on p.132! Wassup?

An early April Fool for those that read my posts. :yes:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

How did my reply to you post end up ahead of your post?????? :hun: