Ken Fortenberry wrote:
rw wrote:


... You weren't camping out on gravel bars, pitching your tent and
storing and cooking your food virtually right on top of bear sign,
right? ...


That's a very important distinction. I said I don't bother
to carry bear spray in Yellowstone grizzly country but that
is in reference to fishing day trips.

When I had to camp underneath the food supply, (it was in a
tower), in an Absaroka-Beartooth outfitter camp I had both
bear spray and a 12 gauge close to hand. No handguns for me,
if I have to shoot something I want it to be good and shot.

One problem with the Bristol Bay area, or at least on the Kanektok (and
I suspect on all the other rivers in the area), is that it's impossible
to secure your food. There aren't any substantial trees to speak of. All
you can do is keep the food well away from the rafts and the tents, and
if you get hit hope that you can catch a lot of fish, which should be no
problem.

Also, when you clean and fillet fish, cut the carcasses into small
pieces before tossing them into the river. In all likelihood there will
be plenty of other fish for the bears, but don't take unnecessary chances.

--
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