Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuzz
I think of all the times I've wandered around Canmore growing up, you know, 10 year old going in the woods, walking home from friends places taking short cuts through forests and meadows, frog hunting in the Larch marshes, late night runs, and not once did a bear ever attack me or any other kid who has ever grown up in Canmore and done the same. Not one of us ever had bear spray or a murder stick.
I've seen many bears around, including in my back yard. I've run into them biking, hiking, playing disc golf, driving, walking, eating wild strawberries. I still go for night walks almost every night I'm there along the river. I'm not so afraid I need 10 different types of protection because I've actually been educated about them, and grew up with them. So when I see the ridiculous list of things you need to feel safe, it kinda feels like the best thing for everyone involved is for you to stay out of bear country before someone or something gets hurt. You are more a hazard to yourself and everyone around you than a bear would ever be.
And yes, it's funny to imagine you with all your bear gear walking to the Grizzly Paw at 8pm with your head on a swivel. I can't imagine how you can even find any joy out there will all the fear endlessly dripping into your eyes.
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Well, I guess I choose to face my fears and enjoy life versus hiding in my room playing video games with BigThief. Believe it or not, it's possible to thoroughly enjoy the outdoors while also wishing you could shotgun a bear's face off if he got too close to you. Kinda like how humanity has dealt with bears since the dawn of time: they get close, you kill them. Since that's illegal, I want the best defense possible. I don't know if bear spray is the best thing we have and if there's something better within the law that's what I want.