Small bell useful in Bear country (MT), what do you think ?

[Grz63]

Hello, In two days I will fly to MT for two weeks, and plan to have some hikes in the Glacier N.P. I wonder if small bells (clochette ou grelot in french) could be uselful to hang to our backpacks ?
Any advices ?
thank you / Merci (not sure to post my topic at the right place)

 

[wesheltonj]

Not really. But a can of bear spray would not hurt.

Glacier is a great park. Nice hike from many glaciers lodge. Another from the midpoint of going to the sun road. Don’t forget to cross the border into Canada and see Waterton.

 

[Betterinthebush]

IMO, the issue isn’t whether or not you use bells, but who hiked around the area days, weeks, months, years ahead of you that wore bells. Then cooked bacon at a stop, dumped grease on the ground, fed a ground squirrel bread, dropped some granola from a ziplock, and spilled their tang on the rocks that have trained the bear to come in to the dinner bells.

Enjoy your hike, but talk aloud with a partner, let everything know that you’re coming and leave it like you found it.

 

[SETH RINGER]

WATCH OUT FOR BEAR SCAT WITH LITTLE BELLS IN IT.

 

[HankBuck]

Hello, In two days I will fly to MT for two weeks, and plan to have some hikes in the Glacier N.P. I wonder if small bells (clochette ou grelot in french) could be uselful to hang to our backpacks ?
Any advices ?
thank you / Merci (not sure to post my topic at the right place)

@Griz63 - you’re gonna get a lot of “wise cracks” to your question but I think a Bell while hiking is OK - can’t hurt (unless it annoys the sh-t out of you) and many backpackers use small bells while hiking. I’ve hiked Glacier, never used “bells”, did carry Bear Spray AND a S&W 629 4”, only saw one griz in 4 days (200 yrds away and no problems). There were many people on the trails that I hiked (I saw that 10% wore ‘Bells’ and maybe 1% carried a sidearm) so I was “lucky” to even see a Griz.. I did Not do any Camping or real remote hikes so I had few concerns and No close encounters.
Previously, I’ve have had many problems with Black Bears while backpacking in Yosemite, coming in at night to our tent/packs, even with food suspended up in tree. None ever threatened our safety but they stole food (climbed tree to get at it) and kept us up at night — really just a nuisance.
If I were Backpacking & Camping remotely in Glacier then I might of considered walking with “bell” - but also always with Spray & .44mag. Very unlikely I’d ever need it and a pain to carry any sidearm (extra 2 1/2 lbs of weight) but I carried it because on very rare occasions Nothing-else-works-better. Enjoy Glacier - it is GREAT and much more beautiful then I expected

 

[MontanaPat]

Bells don’t hurt but most don’t seem to like listening to them. I think talking with your hiking partners while walking is just as effective, probably more than bells. You definitely want to carry bear spray, by far the most effective deterrent should you have an encounter. You can buy bear spray and some places rent it since you can’t carry it home with you on the plane. Learn how to use it and when. Watch out for patches of shrubbery and berries, this is the time of year the bears are feeding heavily in berry patches on the mountainside fattening up for winter. Have fun, it’s a nice time there now.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Montana is one of my favorite places to visit. You will love Glacier. I am not sure a bell is the greatest idea in a National Park. Despite all of the smart ass comments, there is some truth to the fact that bears can become accustomed to associating the "Dinner Bell" sounds with sources of food. This might be less of an issue in wild country where they encounter much fewer hikers wearing bells.

The key is to make enough noise that you do not surprise a bear at close range. Others suggested bear spray. I agree 100%. Some suggested a large handgun. Again, I agree 100% but traveling with firearms is a PITA. The last time, I was in Grizzly country in Montana I was fly fishing the Madison and chose to carry a 12rd 45acp loaded with FMJ ammo. Made me feel better but I did not encounter any bears. You can also run into Mtn Lions in that part of the world. Have fun and don't worry too much. The bears are not that common and will run away as long as they know you are there. Just avoid doing all the stupid stuff that act as bear magnets and you should be fine.

 

[Jeff SN]

I cant resist. The way to identify bear poop is.... Black bear shit has grass and berries in it. Grizz shit has bells in it and smells like pepper!

 

[JimP]

According to this page bells are not very effective.

Bear Safety - Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

And here is a article about a hiker who used bear spray to deter a bear.

https://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/bear-spray-saved-hiker-glacier-national-park-21020675.php

 

[RedTag]

I have lived and worked in bear country for many years and never had the slightest problem with bears. That being said, I do know several people who have had problems with bears, a few who’ve been charged, and one who was actually hit by a bear but not severely injured. I have never used bells to ward off bears, but I don’t think it could hurt, and if it gives you peace of mind it’s probably worth the $8. I do recommend two cans of bear spray. I say two because they have been known to malfunction (had this happen myself when test firing one) and if you do need to use it for the intended purpose you will want the extra just in case the bear returns. It also works on moose and dogs; these have been bigger problems for me in my experience anyway. Most bear attacks are territorial or defensive and can be avoided with thoughtful behavior on your part, or at least stopped with bear spray. The rare event of a predatory attack is another story, and you will want some sort of weapon. I always carry a gun but that’s not for everyone. Traveling with a handgun is problematic, especially if going into the Canadian side. OP is from France so I doubt he’s going to be coming in hot with a .44 Magnum or such…
It’s worth adding that strength in numbers is a real thing. Every bear attack I have ever heard of or read about involved people who were alone or in pairs. It seems that being in a group of 3 or 4 people greatly increases your safety around bears.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Buy some Bear Spray. Have it in a holster on your hip or chest.
Pay attention and be prepared.

You do not need to be scared, you need to be prepared.
Larger groups if at all possible.
Avoid Berry patches and thick bush.
Pay attention.

The berry crop this year is amazing and the bears are out in force in Waterton, etc.

Pavlov trained a dog to salivate at the sound of a bell.
There was a bear 25 years ago that learned to bluff charge people on the trails in the park. People dropped their packs and backed off. Bear got the pack and contents repeatedly. Well trained hikers and bear. This bear turned bear bells into dinner bells.

Grizzly bears have not been hunted in Alberta in decades. There has been an attitude shift IMHO.

A friend was just charged by a Grizzly two days ago near the park. It got to 15 feet and he hit it with Bear Spray. It turned and my friend left the area immediately.

Just north of your intended destination 1 week ago.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/grizzly-alberta-attack-1.7618270

Enjoy your hike.

 

[62flint]

Hello, In two days I will fly to MT for two weeks, and plan to have some hikes in the Glacier N.P. I wonder if small bells (clochette ou grelot in french) could be uselful to hang to our backpacks ?
Any advices ?
thank you / Merci (not sure to post my topic at the right place)

Not long back from glacier.
Bells do nothing. Talking and stay in a group.
Carry bear spray. You can also carry a handgun. Just not in buildings ,
Plenty of bears and people. You stay on trails and with a group you will be fine.
Most of the rangers there will tell you bells do nothing

 

[Grz63]

Thank you all,
a lot of smart indications. for sure I will buy a can of bear spray, but the idea of 2 is interesting (by Cabela's ?)

Yes I plan to stick to another party of hikers.. thinking they will be more used as me.

Impossible to bring a handgun, .. I am not a shooter but a hunter, very very difficult in France to get one (except on the darkweb but I am not a client).
Maybe renting it is possible ? or buying a used one and selling it back .. in Cabela's shop ? )

Finally I am not sure anymore to hang small bells, you are right bears could associate food with this sound. Ring the bell it's lunch time !

I have a lot of "grelot" I purchase in garage sale like this one Grelot . I don't know if you have a special word in english for that. I will bring a bunch of them just for my wife (not to loose her ha ha just to reinsure her)..

Merci once again. We are impatient to discover this area (I already know Yellowstone NP and the canadians Rockies as in 1989 I did a 3 week drive from Ottawa, ON , i.e a 13 000 km loop . Loved it)

 

[Mountainshadows]

Here is some tips from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks along with a video to watch at the bottom:

https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/be-bear-aware/bear-encounters

Something not talked much of is the danger of some of the trails. One event this year had several hikers fall into one of the rivers and were swept through a gorge while trying to get a picture and recently a hiker slipped and fell to their death from a trail.

 

[sgt_zim]

Hello, In two days I will fly to MT for two weeks, and plan to have some hikes in the Glacier N.P. I wonder if small bells (clochette ou grelot in french) could be uselful to hang to our backpacks ?
Any advices ?
thank you / Merci (not sure to post my topic at the right place)

Definitely bring pepper spray, and you need to be able to identify what kind of poop you're looking at.

Black bear poop will have seeds, bits of fur, berries and the like in it. It'll smell like any other poop.

Griz poop smells like pepper spray and has jingle bells in it.

 

[Brent in Az]

Ringing the dinner bell.....

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thank you all,
a lot of smart indications. for sure I will buy a can of bear spray, but the idea of 2 is interesting (by Cabela's ?)

.......

Having two cans ensures that you are ready for a return event. (Charge)
It is ineffective if you shoot it from a distance.
Plenty of folks panic and release the spray while the bear is too far away.

 

[cwpayton]

I'm fairly sure it won't be long before bear spray will be mandatory carry in parks. there's money in it. the other thing is to make sure your bear charges at the appropriately marked distance and also don't spray into the wind ,check wind direction first, same as pissing into the wind ,the results don't satisfy.
as for the extra can of spray , you can sell it as you leave or try it out on someone who cuts you off in line.
I just came back from a camp trip up by yellowstone on the montana ,Idaho line, I carried no bear spray just 2 pistols one semi auto ,and one revolver, and I still felt under gunned.
Idaho fish n game always respond to bear incidents fully armed, but they are exempt from federal violations. If YOU have to defend yourself against a grizzly be prepared to lawyer up .
Idaho F& GAME killed a grizz a few weeks back in a mans backyard, in Island park, no mention of bear spray , but they did fine the property owner 500$, for not having bear proof garbage containers.

 

[HankBuck]

I'm fairly sure it won't be long before bear spray will be mandatory carry in parks. there's money in it. the other thing is to make sure your bear charges at the appropriately marked distance and also don't spray into the wind ,check wind direction first, same as pissing into the wind ,the results don't satisfy.
as for the extra can of spray , you can sell it as you leave or try it out on someone who cuts you off in line.
I just came back from a camp trip up by yellowstone on the montana ,Idaho line, I carried no bear spray just 2 pistols one semi auto ,and one revolver, and I still felt under gunned.
Idaho fish n game always respond to bear incidents fully armed, but they are exempt from federal violations. If YOU have to defend yourself against a grizzly be prepared to lawyer up .
Idaho F& GAME killed a grizz a few weeks back in a mans backyard, in Island park, no mention of bear spray , but they did fine the property owner 500$, for not having bear proof garbage containers.

@cwpayton - agree there are limitations to Bear Spray and one reason it is so highly recommended by Park Rangers has nothing to do with its effectiveness - they don’t want people carrying and discharging guns in the park and don’t want a lot of “panicky people” shooting bears unnecessarily. Rangers at both Glacier and Yellowstone told me that in a real “attack” bear spray is often ineffective, especially once a bear has made physical contact with a person. Both Rangers said a firearm is better during an “Attack” but bear spray works well as an “early” deterent - helps ward off a bear getting too close. I understood his point because a Park full of handgun carrying people Unfamiliar with Bear behavior would be shooting a lot of bear for no reason - everyone has a right to carry but many shouldn’t. One thing for sure - if you ever shoot a Park bear you better “be bleeding yourself” because the “homicide investigation” that will be done will be more through then JFKs.

 

[Grz63]

Thank you again, all is clear. The discussion was very useful.

I found my Peterson Field guide bought in 1988, at the time when Internet, youtube and PDF did not exist.

Now it's time to use it.
I did not know I will become a bear poop expert 38 yrs later

Have a nice day !