Bear Bell Safety is a Myth!
In the hush of the wild, bear bells chime from travelers' packs. But is this jingle a true alert or just trail trinkets? Let's jingle all the way through the facts and fiction!
Bear bells, while trendy, fall short as bear alerts. The United States National Park Service says:
Quote, “Bear bells may be a popular item to put on your backpack, but they don’t effectively warn a bear you’re in the area. Bears won’t hear the bells until you’re too close. Yelling, clapping, and talking are more effective ways of alerting a bear to your presence.”
To traverse bear country wisely, band together—there's safety in numbers. With a party of three or more, keep the conversation lively, laugh heartily, sing, or whoop loudly. Your voice carries the real warning, far beyond the bell's faint ring. Increase your volume by flowing water, trail bends, and in the wind. So gather your group, amplify your adventure, and safely savor the wilderness!
For more information about bears, please see our full-length presentation on Grizzly Bears, North America’s wild wonder (only available on our YouTube channel).
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