In June of 2007 in Utah there was fatal bear attack. It was the state's first. An eleven year-old, Samuel Ives, was killed by a black bear that yanked him out of a tent outside of Timpooneke Campground in American Fork Canyon northeast of Provo Utah.
While these fatal attacks are uncommon, bear attacks are getting more common as the population slowly encroaches into bear territory.
Almost on a weekly basis we hear or see reports of bear encounters in urban areas near mountainous terrain. Near where I navigate Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Colorado Springs et al areas they have become so commonplace they are not even newsworthy.
Bears are mostly curious and driven by an acute sense of smell. For homeowners near mountainous areas or campers out in the wilderness keeping food wrapped and covered is a must so the smells don't draw the bears.
There are several things homeowners and campers can do to protect themselves in case of a bear encounter.
Campers and homeowners who are at risk can arm themselves with bear pepper spray. If a human-bear confrontation occurs, pepper spray may be the best weapon to repel a bear.
A local retailer was quoted as saying "I had a Fish & Game warden from Alaska tell me he would rather have a can of pepper spray than a .44 Magnum. It was more effective."
Bear pepper spray is really potent stuff. It burns the eyes and nose. Mucous membranes are really sensitive to it. Once used, leave the area immediately not waiting to see how the bear reacts.
Homeowners have an additional tool that works to scare bears away. They don't like the sound of viciously barking dogs.
People who are at risk, campers and homeowners who live near mountainous areas can protect themselves and their property from the threat of a bear attack.
Jack Krohn is the #1 author of Home Security Articles in the country according to EzineArticles. He owns SECURITY SOLUTIONS a one stop resource that provides solutions and answers for all your self defense and home security problems.
