![]() Bears are thought to associate voices with humans and they often will take cover when they hear you coming. Talking/Singing: One the cheapest and easiest bear deterrents is talking or singing while you walk. If you are unsure about bear bells but still want protection from bears there are other more, probably more effective, methods that you can use. With their effectiveness still unclear, the use of a bear bell becomes personal preference. Before you purchase one and slap it on your pack, you have to ask yourself if the peace of mind you get from bear bell is really worth it. ![]() If you are hoping to catch a glimpse of moose in Maine, you may be out of luck if you are wearing a bear bell. They could scare off other wildlife sightings besides bears (for better, or worse!). The constant jingling of the bell as you walk can be super noisy and unpleasant for both you and your hiking crew.Ģ. The three most popular bear bells are made by Coghlan, Frontiersman, and Nakabayashi.ġ. They all make a similar jingle-like sound and are all inexpensive (under $15). There are a few different brands of bear bells. The silencer is usually a magnet that will hold the rattling bead in place. Most bells come with some sort of silencer option so you can turn off the jingling when you no longer need it. With conflicting results and opinions, we really don't know for sure if bear bells actually work or not. Stephen Herrero believe the bear bells may actually attract bears who are curious about the strange jingling sound. They-make-things-worse: If bears do hear the bells, some bear experts like Dr. Therefore, negating the entire purpose of carrying it all. Geological Survey scientist, Tom Smith, suggests that bears in the wild ignore bear bells, treating them as they would a bird or some other background noise. ![]() No-they-don't-work: A more recent study by U.S. Yes-they-do-work: Supporters of bear bells point to a 1982 study on bear and hiker interactions in Glacier National Park, which found that hikers who wore bear bells were less likely to be charged by a grizzly bear. Some say they do work others say they don't work. People might be comforted by having a bear bell on their pack, but there are arguments made that challenge their effectiveness. As your body moves while hiking, the bell will inevitably jingle loud enough that anyone or anything in the immediate area can hear it. It's this surprise meeting between a hiker and a bear that can lead to a tense standoff or, potentially, an attack. They are designed to warn a bear (and other animals - cougars, etc) of your presence, so you don't accidentally startle them. You can attach it to the outside your backpack, waist belt or any other external piece of gear.Ĭontrary to popular belief, bear bells are not meant to scare a bear. A bear bell is a small 1.5-inch bell with either a thick velcro strap or a carabiner used for attachment.
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