Heading into serious bear country? Attacks are rare, but you better be prepared

I’ve had many encounters with bears over the years. Some have been close-contact meetings where you connect with a bruin on a trail or a shoreline. Most have fortunately been more distant sightings while kayaking or portaging or hiking on a trail.
In every instance where I came into close proximity to a bear I was always ready with my hand on the trigger of a can of bear spray. I’ve never had to pull the trigger, but there have been a couple of close calls.

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