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In reply to the discussion: Most unusual encounters with a wild animal (any kind that isn't someones pet) [View all]PufPuf23
(8,769 posts)Brown bears are much larger and more aggressive.
I worked on federal contracts in SE Alaska and were required to have bear safety plans.
In black bear areas we carried pepper spray and had option of bearing a gun.
In brown bear areas crews (or individuals) were required to be accompanied by armed security that did security only, not other work as well as pepper spray by some a gun).
The work was gathering ecological and engineering data for EISs.
We were ferried back and forth to work areas by helicopter mostly with some along the shore in Boston Whaler type boats.
Part of the studies was a bear census and mapping various high use habitat so had good idea about location of brown bears.
Brown bear fishing areas were not entered.
I have worked and lived in areas where black bear are common; they mostly avoid confrontation but are curious and will follow humans around just out of sight. Not a good thing to get black bears around garbage as garbage becomes habitual. I have several fruit trees and in the Fall rake the windfall into piles so the bear have an easier time cleaning up the mess. Occasionally they get in my garbage cans and there is just about always some bear poop on the lot, mostly berries in the Summer. Old and injured or a fenale black bear with cubs should be avoided. Sometimes black bear huddle down in my garage / shop. It is open air on one side. I have know a good number of situations where black bear have taken up residence of a seldom-used cabin or even made themselves at home when the human who lived there were gone for just a day.