Bear Repellent

Bear Facts

An adult male black bear can weigh as much as 650 pounds, but usually is about 450 to 500 pounds at full weight. The adult female will reach an average weight of between 200 and 400 pounds.

Larger than the black bear, male grizzly bears can stand about 7 feet tall on their hind legs, and occasionally weigh as much as 800 pounds, although the average Grizzly is a bit smaller, only weighing in at around 400 to 600 pounds. Females are smaller but can still weigh as much as 500 pounds, but usually weigh between 300 and 400 pounds.

The biggest threat to the grizzly is human- caused mortality. Grizzlies become habituated to humans because of what biologists call "attractants," which include garbage, pet foods, livestock carcasses, and improper camping practices. This can eventually lead to conflicts between people and bears -- not only in grizzly country, but also in back country recreation sites.

When hiking in backcountry, watch for signs of Grizzlies in the area. The three main signs are: 

• Scat or Grizzly droppings (can be distinguished by their size).

• Digs or large holes where the bear has dug for roots or grubs. These too are easily identified because of size.

• Rub markings or missing bark from a tree – removed when a Grizzly clawed it to mark its territory or rubbed against it to leave its scent.

• Another sign of a Grizzly’s presence is the spotting of carcasses or signs of a buried one. If you see any of these signs then be very cautious.

   Fun Fact

Did you know the real "Smokey The Bear" was an American black bear who in the spring of 1950 was caught in a wildfire in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico. The cub was in the Lincoln National Forest, and Smokey had climbed a tree to escape the fire, but his paws and legs had been burned. He was rescued by forest rangers fighting the wildfire.

At first he was called Hotfoot Teddy, but was later renamed Smokey. A local rancher who had been helping fight the fire took the cub home with him, but being badly burned, the cub needed veterinary aid. New Mexico Department of Fish and Game Ranger Ray Bell took him to Santa Fe, where he cared for the bear with his wife, Ruth, and their children, Don and Judy. The story was picked up by the national news services and Smokey became an instant celebrity.

Soon after, Smokey was flown to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where he lived for 26 years. Upon his death in November 1975, Smokey's remains were returned by the government to Capitan, New Mexico, and buried at what is now the Smokey Bear Historical Park.

 

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