Bears are probably the most feared of dangers in Alaska, yet in reality one of the least common causes of death. Many more people die each year in Alaska from avalanches and streams, on snow machines and small boats. In the United States, more people die each year by lightning strikes and bee stings--but such stories don't sell newspapers.

Remember, one only fears what one does not understand. The goal of this brochure is to spread more knowledge of bears and their behavior so they are understood more and feared less. Normally, I have a few bear encounters every summer. Both black and brown bears are present where I backpack (usually grizzly bears), but never polar bears.

Most brown bears run away when they see me--wouldn't you? Once I unknowingly walked along a trail within 40 feet (12 meters) of a female grizzly as she was nursing three cubs. I turned around, hoping she wouldn't catch my scent. As I looked up I saw her head, surrounded by three little heads. The cubs ran into the woods as she ran up to bluff charge me.

But black bears often don't run away. Once a large one chased a friend and I off a mountain. One day, as four of us were hiking, one trashed all of our tents and sleeping pads. And one night, as I slept, one stole my food bag ... When I awoke, I chased him off (by shouting and beating on my cooking pot with my rock hammer) and got my food bag back!