Atlin Lake, BC June 2017

Harvey, we usually have 3 cans of US potency bear spray with us & still have never been hassled about it on the border crossings. We have been asked if we have bear spray & if has a specific for bear use on the can, but not even to show it or asked what it’s potency is, but I can see why you purchase after the crossing as there is a chance it could be a hassle.

Jay
 
So all this talk about Bear, I do hope to see some when I get to Alaska. However, with no plans to do any real hiking other than in communities, and just staying on the boat, has anyone ever had a bear try to board their boat? I do remember once in the Apostle Islands a small Black Bear coming out on the dock, but never approached our or the other boat that was there with us. I do plan to carry my flare gun with me if I do decide to walk along any remote shore areas, and sounds like perhaps a can of bear repellent might be a good idea to have also.
 
We met a salmon fisherman, who had to "fend off" a brown bear with boat hooks and oars. He had not cleaned the grill after cooking a salmon. The bears swim better than we do! We have regularly seen bears in the water. The bear can swim pretty well. Polar bears can swim at 6.2 miles an hour. I suspect the brown bears are a bit slower, but would not want to find out.

We have been quite close to many animals in the inflatable--especially drifting or quietly paddling. We watched a lone wolf for over 30 minutes from about 50 feet off shore one evening. Probably smelled our dogs. Had coyotes come within 50 feet of the boat when stern to the beach. See fox up close.

Read Jay's posts on the Kayak campers and swimming bears.

Just like your home or camp site--keep items which a bear might want off of the stern, grills, etc. Don't leave tempting garbage available.

We have always carried "Counter Assault" bear spray. The web site says it may be taken into Canada for personal use against bears, cannot be sold or left there and must return to the US. The difference is 2% Capsaicin and other related capsaicinoids is required in the US and only 1% capsaicin is allowed, in Canada.

We have never had our spray inspected, even though we have been asked on several occasions.
 
Oh great, now I'll worry about using my open Kayak to explore a bit or taxi to shore.... :shock: So now I'll need to find outerwear that deflects bears. lol. No, I intend on keeping my distance. But suppose it's another item I'll need to research a bit about in preparation for a C-Dory Alaskan Adventure. Then again, some of it probably comes down to common sense.
 
Colby, A lot of it comes down to common sense. For Sure. I have seen a black bear in the water, swimming one time. I was doing slow cruise, upper MacKinzie Inlet IIRC, and thought it was a stump in the water, or maybe a beaver. Recognized it at about 30 yards, and backed off slowly. Not sure it even looked at me, but I waited and watched as it finished the crossing of about 50 yards. It was very early in the morning and not good enough light for decent pix but was fun to watch.

I carry the small air horn as it makes plenty of screech and is effective from a much longer distance than bear spray. I have never used either the horn or spray.

As to Customs, crossing is just easier when I can say no to that list of stuff they ask if I am carrying: alcohol, tobacco, firearms, fresh fruit of veggies, over $10,000 cash, or ......

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

DSC_4180_1.thumb.jpg
 
colbysmith":1yyt7n33 said:
So all this talk about Bear, I do hope to see some when I get to Alaska. However, with no plans to do any real hiking other than in communities, and just staying on the boat, has anyone ever had a bear try to board their boat? I do remember once in the Apostle Islands a small Black Bear coming out on the dock, but never approached our or the other boat that was there with us. I do plan to carry my flare gun with me if I do decide to walk along any remote shore areas, and sounds like perhaps a can of bear repellent might be a good idea to have also.
Click to expand...

They can be determined enough to swim, climb a dock and get into a boat!

http://www.fishingportrenfrew.ca/2008/09/sept-9-port-renfrew-bear-attack-heroic_10.html
 
Understanding aggressive behavior--false charges and bluff's vs predicator and a true charge are important. Keeping cool, composed and using a low but firm voice. Not showing fear is important. But not being aggressive is equally as important.

A lot of bear material is written for the suburban areas, where there are "nuisance bears". The wild Grizzly is a different critter.

Several sites are good: Here. and Bear Smart--go to behavior also. National Geographic on bears. Outward bound.

Understanding Bear behavior

We always called out "Bear Bear, Where is the Bear" Several times before we landing our RIB. It was surprising how many times there was a bear in the area we had not spotted, and it rose up on legs to see better what was making the noise.

Always carry bear spray and know how to use it. Air a little high, so the pepper material gets in the eyes and nose. If you don't carry a gun (Shotgun probably best with magnum slugs, .338 WM, .375 H & H, 45/70 Govt. rifle or large cal hot load, solid cast bullet handgun plus be an accomplished shooter) but as a last ditch, then carry a good sharp fixed blade knife, and if for some unforeseen reason the playing dead doesn't work--at least you have some weapon to cut the throat or eyes....not that any of this is easy to do. The old saying if you shoot the bear, it better have powder burns on the entry wound, and pepper spray all over its face!

Although we tend to think that the black bear is less of a risk, because they scare easily (usually), I have seen several several persons who were mauled in the back country by black bears.
 
Here is a bear proof suit that might work, but I would try contacting the manufacturer to see if they have a Mustang version with a built in flotation vest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MEUOW7cERI

Personally, I always wear easy to wash underwear when travelling in bear country. I think it might be a better investment than a bear proof suit.
 
Lots of good info on bears. Believe it or not, I think I'm actually going to leave bear attack in the same risk category that I'm slowly learning to put a sinking boat in. (Actually, I'm probably less concerned with bears than sinking...as I spend a lot more time on the water than hiking in bear country...) I know it happens, but I think common sense and respecting my environment will lead the way. But after all the comments and experience from others, I will very likely also have Bear Spray along. Easy enough and small enough to provision with on a C-Dory. Nothing against guns, but I'm not interested in dealing with the gun laws between countries or feel the need to carry one. And knowing my past experience with target practice, I'd do just as well with a bear banger. :roll: Colby
 
Peter, I'm still laughing... I might worry a little more than I should, but I guess that's what keeps me sane and at least a little safe in my actions. :mrgreen:
 
Living in Montana bear country we hear a lot of bear attack stories. Many victims are well armed local hunters that do not carry bear spray, and were not able to react fast enough with a fire arm. It happens more than people realize.

Bear Spray is very effective if properly used. Statistically you are more likely to survive a bear attack using bear spray than a fire arm. Carry both. We never leave the boat on Yellowstone Lake without 2 cans of bear spray.

Yellowstone Park now rents bear spray to visitors and has a bear spray recycling program.

Lots of good information on bear safety:
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/bearreact.htm
Bear attack simulator - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsxgH4-2sNI
 
Colby, this is to a thread in the Grand Adventure Form that provides a link to a video on YouTube that that I made from our 2010 SE Alaska Atlin Lake cruise. It shows some of the lake scenery & me trying to go up river to the Llewellyn Glacier. You might also find the discussion in the thread interesting.

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=17540
 
Bear Bangers

I have been carrying bear bangers for many years and until my Atlin Lake grizzly encounter I had never used one except for practice. I used to carry the launcher, bangers and flares in ziplock bag in my pocket. I recently bought a waterproof banger/flare case for sea kayaking, but use it for hiking as well. It allows you to carry a loaded banger ready for action safely on the outside. I also carry bear spray on my belt.

Here is a link for the kit. It cannot be shipped outside of Canada, but with a bit of searching, I am sure a U.S. supplier can be found.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5044-046/ ... and-Flares
 
There is a real paradox between the USA and Canada. Basically a civilian cannot purchase the "Bear Banger" or even the "Bird banger", without a federal explosives permit (such as handling high explosives,) or a wildlife control permit. But almost anyone can walk into the local gun shop or Wal mart and buy a long gun-or-12 gauge shotgun. CCW (Concealed Carry Weapons) permits for handguns are easy to obtain in most states. Mine has reciprocity in 38 states.

I believe that the bear bangers used to be legal to buy in the USA a number of years ago (but so was open carry in Calif.).... Yet you can buy a 12 gauge "Dragon's Breath"--at least a hundred feet of flame at 4000*, (Magnesium powder/pellets) in many states: 20 gauge Flash Thunder--3' of flame and 120 (some say 180) dB report in almost all states or a 12 gauge shot gun shell which hurls 40 .223 steel penetrating bullet cores at 1500 fps velocity!

So we are stuck with a shot gun and exotics, or bear spray vs the far less dangerous bear bangers...Does not make a lot of sense...but a lot of things don't! I found one reference that Bear bangers could not be brought across the Border into the USA. Also not allowed in any luggage by TSA.
 
Been spending a lot of time linking to the various sites mentioned, and then going to links embedded in those sites. I'm no expert by any means, but from what I've gathered, it sure sounds like Bear Spray is the recommended go to for bear protection. And the reasoning and explanations make sense. So while I still search out the best cold water wear, it's pretty much a no brainer to have a couple cans of bear spray with me when I head north. :) The Mokai is peeking my interest some too. Maybe I should have looked closer at that when I was researching Dinghys vs. Kayaks. :roll:

Back to the topic of this thread... Atlin Lake looks like it's definitely worth a stop to spend at least a few days on, if I'm driving so close by. However, if I have to make a choice between spending a few more days on the Inside Passage, or a few days on Atlin, is it mostly just another very scenic lake if one isn't planning to make the trek to the glacier? IOW, what would be the attraction to take a few more travel days to launch the boat here and cruise about? Wildlife? Unique nature? Interesting villages or geology?
 
Colby, in my opinion (others may fairly differ) the draw is the unique lake scenery with absence of other people & boats. Unlike SE Alaska waters & surrounding land the wildlife can be more iffy. The town is very picturesque located as it is on the lake with small islands in front & large mt beyond. The town is very small with interesting old buildings. Bottom line, if I was heading to Skagway & SE Alaska with limited time like you are planning, my priority would be the ocean & spending as much time on it as possible where the scenery is just as unique, wildlife much more plentiful & more just as interesting if not more so, small towns.

As for the Mokai it worked wonderfully, taking me to places, I believe very few if any have been before & wildlife I would not have seen in anything else, but the draw backs were it had to be towed & the places I was going with it by myself were very hazardous & just a matter of time before the odds caught up. I think I was ready to back off on it’s more extreme use & use it more like I do our present Kaboat, but it still would have had to be constantly towed & that in some conditions can really add to the risk. The main reasons we went from it to the Kaboat are I wanted Jo-Lee to be with me more in the incursions away from the C-Dory & the Mokai is only good for a short period of time with two, where we can both be in the Kaboat most of the day. The other draw back for us is when taking our combination truck & large camper & towing the boat there was not a good way to take it along, even though we did on our 2010 trip. For a single person I still think it worth the risk of towing & hard to beat for some serious exploring or as a dingy.

Jay
 
Thanks Jay. Appreciate your thoughts. I was kind of half joking about the Mokai. (But I did go look at the website... :) ) It is an interesting little craft. Atlin looks like a great little stop to wash the salt off the boat after exploring the Inland Passage. But I will have to consider my priorities and how much time I want to spend away from home for this endeavor. And there is still the possibility of launching at the south end rather than Skagway. (Although like you, I think the drive through the area is worth it as well.) Colby
 
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