I dont like to hijack someone else's thread or topic, so I thought I would start a new one. Referring to the bear incident near Cranbrook discussion..How well do you prepare yourself to enter bear country for work or play? Personally, I never enter bear country(black bear or griz) unless I have a gun. Even when we camp, I still have my 12ga shotgun and some 00 buckshot within easy reach. That, and my Mag-Lite flashlight within easy reach help me sleep better.
Am I wrong, paranoid, or playing on the safe side?

I've probably spent close to 50 years, camping and hunting, and never had a bear problem, maybe because I try to follow the obvious safety measures, or maybe, just because I'm lucky. That doesn't mean I'm unprepared. I always carry a firearm of some sort and keep it accessible at all times, even on short excursions into areas, where a bear encounter is unlikely. Realistically, there is no place around here, you can't run into a Grizzly. Camping in a tent, the loaded gun goes behind my pillow, along with my glasses and a flashlight, in my hat.
Years ago, my wife and I were elk hunting on Ranger Creek. About noon, we ran into another hunter, who claimed to have seen a Grizz, as big as my horse [they always are] near our camp. On I return to camp, at dusk, I managed to bag a Muley buck right outside our camp. I gutted him and dragged him up in front of the tent. Not ver smart, but unavoidable in the dark. I had just fallen nicely asleep, when my wife roused me. "Wake up, there's something outside the tent" By the time I got all my shit together, we had determined it was just one of our horses looking for oats.
Grizz

We too, always take the necessary precautions with food and such when on a camping/extended hunting trip. Seems lately that there are more bears. Not sure why, but the population seems to be on the rise and the fear of humans doesnt exist. Maybe lack of hunting? or loss of habitat? or maybe a combination of both? All the more reason to be prepared.

Thanks for sharing Grizz.

I do a lot of hiking in K-country, and adjacent areas, and see plenty of grizz sign. I don't usually take a full-sized hunting rifle on those hikes/scrambles. This is where a handgun with enough power would be such a logical choice.

I do keep a loaded weapon handy when camping.

Frans