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I am planning an overnight backpack in the Dane Canyon area in a couple of weeks. Considering the two recent bear attacks below the Rim this week, should I reconsider this trip if the drought persists? I guess at the least I should invest in some bear spray.

Thanks for any feedback or bear news from the top of the Rim.

Robert

Actually a third one as of this morning. All three within a few miles of each other. Last I heard, the forest is closed as of last week due to extreme fire danger from Payson to the Rim. Regarding the bears, its very dry, no water therefore not much growing that they eat. Yes they will be searching around more for food sources. They are hungry and agitated.....dang I think we all would be too! Of course the forest service will be out there 'hunting' to kill this/these animals because of the 'attacks'. Thats not right. People come into their territory not the other way around. -- sorry I went off there abit. -- I would check to see if the area you mentioned is open then proceed with caution. Knowledge is power.

I personally wouldn't worry about it. But that's just me. I spend a lot of time up on the rim every year, and I've never personally encountered a bear, though I have certainly seen evidence of their living there (footprints, scat, markings).

Dane Canyon is a beautiful area, and there's ample water in it, despite the overall dryness of the forest right now. While you may encounter wildlife at any time when recreating outdoors in Arizona, big animals such as bear, mountain lion, and even elk and deer, typically do their very best to avoid people. Even if you were to encounter something, if you take a few precautions, (especially regarding food storage) you should be just fine.

Like I said, that's just my opinion. If you're unsure or uncomfortable about it yourself, do what feels right to you.

Animals tend to respond to folks relative to the attitude they sense... I like wild animal encounters... have them all the time... but, I'm not afraid nor tense. If you are worried, then your encounter might not turn out so nice... this is a difficult issue to address... there is no simple, one answer fits all.

I kinda think you are foolish for canceling or re thinking your outdoor adventure because of this.

Be responsible with your food and your waste. IMO a campground is the last place I would stay if I was concerned.

I was in Dane Canyon and Barbershop Canyon a month ago. Lots of elk evidence but I didn't see any bear scat. If you're worried-- carry a sidearm. The noise will scare them off well before you ever actually need to defend. I wouldn't cancel nothin'! Just hang your food away from camp.

Thanks all for your input. On thinking and reading more about it this sounds like a black bear who go too accustomed to the campgrounds and people - a very different situation than the remote stretches on top of the Rim. I've always taken proper precautions with food and I've never had any issues with bears or other wildlife (except once with some very ornery crows), so I should be good to go. I don't have enough practice with my wife's Glock to feel comfortable packing it, but some pepper spray will certainly lend peace of mind.

I'm more concerned with bands on the run.

Just in case somebody is searching this topic in the future ... there's more information on the specific bear attacks in another thread here: viewtopic.php?f=71&t=7010

S&W 500 Magnum. Just be sure to hold it with BOTH hands!

Bears on the rim again, forced the closure of FR 171:
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Forest-roa ... 99651.html

"Due to increased activity of bears in the area..."

What does that mean? One would have to assume that there has been aggressive action or bear(s) that have not fled from human contact?

I wonder if they've learned that the visitor center there is a source for delicious trash?

I find it interesting that as far as I have seen, only the Coronado NF in the Pinalenos has bear-proof trash containers. All the forest recreation areas on the Tonto, Coconino, Prescott, and Sitgreaves have normal dumpsters and trash cans. It might be time to change that.

Wait, they now closed access because of a bear sighting? I think they should close the entire state next time somebody spots a coyote. Our government is hard at work to protect us!

Probably multiple incidents of a Bear raiding people's campsites because they're not Bear Proofing them and then the Campers are complaining....

It's shocking that all of the national forests in Arizona don't have bear-proof trashcans. I was actually on a trip with the Arizona Bear Society back in the day that installed at least a lot of the bear-proof trashcans there. Pretty cool trip. Safe disposal of trash seems like a no-brainer.

My assumption is that it is to protect the bears. Last year's encounters with a few aggressive bears led to a massive slaughter that I doubt the forest service wants repeated.

Ponderosa CG now has bear trash cans and boxes for food storage...

nonot wrote:Wait, they now closed access because of a bear sighting? I think they should close the entire state next time somebody spots a coyote. Our government is hard at work to protect us!

http://youtu.be/xhYJS80MgYA

As long as we are on the subject ...