As a result of several recent bear attacks and dangerous bear encounters, the Colorado Dept. of Wildlife (CDW) has recently issued more stringent warnings to hikers and fishermen who frequent bear habitat.  CDW warns all outdoorsmen to be constantly aware of their surroundings and, when possible, to make an obvious noise when they walk through the back country.  To aid in this endeavor they recommend the wearing of small "jingle" type bells, the blowing of whistles, and the carrying of pepper spray in the case of a confrontation.

One way for outdoorsmen to know if they are in "bear country" is to recognize bear dung and to differentiate Black bear dung from Brown or Grizzly bear dung.  The American Black bear normally poses no threat to man and its presence is signified by a dung that is full of seeds, berries, small mammal fur, and bones.  The presence of Brown or Grizzly bear dung should put outdoorsmen on alert of potential danger.  Brown and Grizzly dung can be recognized by the undigested parts of small bells and whistles.  Furthermore, it sometimes smells strongly of pepper spray.

Enjoy your beautiful Colorado mountains . . .

CDW Bulletin #22 - April 1, 1999