On Sat, 22 Sep 2007 22:20:00 -0700, "John" bass wrote:

FWIW the pic of the owner shows him with his rifle slung. IMHO that's a good
sign. I would not go into bear country with a guide that DID NOT have a
suitable firearm. There are too many dingleberry guides in Alaska that only
carry jingle bells and pepper spray.

It depends on *where* you go in Alaska. If you are in the Katmai
area, guides do NOT carry firearms. The bears there get fat on
salmon, not humans. They are intent on catching fish and totally
ignore the humans *during the salmon runs*, when most folks are in
Alaska. Folks have been killed by browns in Katmai, but only when the
bears were very hungry - without salmon to feed on. I have shared a
pool or two with bears on several creeks and rivers within the Katmai.
It is illegal to shoot a brown bear in the Katmai.

In Western Alaska bears are hunted, and are far more shy of humans,
therefore you are less apt to come in contact with them. The best
thing to remember is to not surprise them. Make noise when walking,
avoid thickets even if there is a "trail", and if you see a bear, talk
to it. Again, in this area, fish get fat mainly on the salmon runs.

Inland bears in Alaska are without salmon and tend to be more
aggressive towards humans. A firearm there is probably a good idea.

The joke about bells and pepper spray is a good one, but it is true
that you should make noise (talking, not bells) while walking in bear
country so as to not surprise them. I got tired of saying the
Gettysburg Address (still remember it from Jr. High), as did my
friends. Pepper spray would probably further **** off a bear intent
on attacking, but if you feel comfortable with it........

Dave