Backcountry Bear Basics: The Definitive Guide to Avoiding Unpleasant Encounters.
by Dave Smith. The Mountaineers, Seattle, 1997. 109 pp. $10.95 (paper)..Book Review by Wes Erwin

Last summer I came nose-to-snout with a black bear in the BWCA. After portaging from Townline Lake to Lake Polly I was resting alongside my food pack and canoe. A large black bear walked out from the bushes a few feet from me. First I froze, then I yelled. The bear ran away into the forest. As a result of this close encounter I was motivated to learn about bears.

Backcountry Bear Basics is a short and informative book that provides fundamental information, advice, and research on bears. Although the author specifically addresses issues for paddlers at times, most of the information provided is directed toward hikers and backcountry campers. Nonetheless, paddlers will benefit from reading this book.

The topics covered in this book include planning a trip in bear country, human menstruation and bears, food storage, camping and travel tips in bear country, and what to do when one experiences close encounters with bears. The topics of bear behavior, guns and pepper spray, and the future of the grizzly bear received only cursory attention.

Highlights of the book include features that help one differentiate a grizzly bear from a black bear, a thorough examination of the claim that menstrual odors attract bears, food handling tips, and suggestions for when one encounters a bear. One suggestion sure to be unpopular is the recommendation that campers eat cold food when in bear country. The argument is cold food has little odor and is less likely to attract bears compared to hot food (imagine sizzling bacon). The "stand your ground" advice when charged by a bear seems reasonable when read from an easy chair.

Concerns directly affecting paddlers are mentioned. The observation that bears are very strong and can rip a canoe or kayak to shreds when searching for food is a cautionary thought for paddlers. The author has a very strong objection to the idea of caching food on the ground away from camp when in the BWCA. Hanging food in a tree and using bear-resistant containers are the preferred methods for preventing bears from eating provisions. Also, the author disputes the myth that bears cannot swim. Bears are good swimmers, so camping on an island is not an effective method for deterring visits by bears.

This book has a number of positive qualities. It is a good book to read if one is short on time and can only read one book about bears. It is a quick read and it presents information campers need to know before going into the wilderness. Much of the information is of practical use and on occasion is provided in list form.

Some limitations of the book should be noted. This book is meant to be a short primer and thus does not provide ample detail or background on the topics mentioned above. Much of the information in this book may be helpful for paddlers, although little was written expressly for people who canoe and kayak. Although some of the information is supported by research results, other suggestions appear to be the author’s opinion and need to be recognized as such.

Overall, I recommend this book for paddlers. Whether one is traveling the BWCA (black bear country) or the far north (grizzly country), this book may be helpful. After reading it one will know how to take prudent steps to avoid encounters with bears and may feel more confident when nose-to-snout with a bear.