Bears:Big Dogs

The native Americans sometimes referred to Bears as "Big Dogs" because often that is what they look and act like. The biggest difference would be they are not pack animals and don't as a general rule fight in teams unless that team is mother and partly grown cub against the world.

Also, like a big man, nothing much other than another big man tends to mess with them. Likewise, only a bigger bear messes with a bear except for men. However, I think the big dog reference is fairly useful. Bears though they can get ornery are generally, if they have enough food, even tempered and fairly good natured unless they are a Grizzly bear or a Polar Bear. If it's a Grizzly or Polar Bear then all bets are off. You generally, if they are hungry enough are food and nothing else except a competitor for food and then you might as well be food because you will be just as dead.

So avoiding Grizzlys and Polar Bears is one way to stay alive if they are in the neighborhood. So if you see one just take a picture or a movie and make sure they don't see you. Believe me, it's better that way, unless you are in a big enough metal vehicle to withstand their claws.

I remember one time I was camping in Yosemite and heard a terrible crashing sound and people screaming and a bear grunting and making noises. Since I was in a tent with my wife and children I was more than a little uncomfortable when the cause of all the noise and screaming and wailing of humans walked by our tent and I could see the shadow of the relaxed macho bear walk slowly by while people screamed and banged pans to get him or her to quickly leave.

At this point I got up and walked to where the commotion had been. A cabover camper had been neatly torn in half by the bear and food was scattered all around. Even metal cans of food the bear had bitten in half. So if you are in bear country be sure to either hang your food above the bears reach in a tree(usually 10 to 12 feet off the ground over a limb will do or in a metal food container at campsites designed to be bear proof) or you can just expect doors, windows and sometimes roofs of cars and trucks or whole motorhomes torn in half. Bears aren't weaklings and are usually at least 10 times stronger than a grown man and one swipe of those claws and your life is over. So store food carefully so your vehicle or camper isn't destroyed.(You have to store even gum,perfume and sunblock because it reminds the bear of berries and honey in its smell. Bears have about as good a nose as a good tracking dog like a bloodhound generally. So don't underestimate their smelling ability. Also, a woman on her moon might be vulnerable to a Grizzly or Polar Bear so also be careful of that. Happy Camping!