Seattle Times sports columnist and editor Dwight Perry, reading NewMexiKen’s post yesterday about local bear warnings, sent along this helpful guidance from a column published in 2001:
According to an e-mail spoof making the computer rounds, bear activity is on the rise in parts of Montana. It warns hunters and hikers to wear little bells to let bears know they are near and to carry pepper spray just in case.
No macho outdoorsman would heed such advice, but if you insist on following it, you should also know this missive’s other useful bit of information – the importance of knowing the difference between the droppings of black bears and grizzlies. We quote:
“Black bear droppings are smaller and contain berries and possibly squirrel fur.
“Grizzly bear droppings have bells in them and smell like pepper spray.”