Coghlan's Bear Bell with Magnetic Silencer

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As far as attraction, bear guru Stephen Herrero leaves room for the possibility that bear bells might even arouse interest in the more curious members of my species. There’s not a lot hard evidence to support this, but when the human ambassador for my kind points it out, you probably should at least consider it. Keep your food secured in a bear canister, bear bag, or hanging bag. Coolers don’t stop scents from escaping and can attract attention. In areas with regular human activity, they’ve probably learned how to open them anyway. When we venture outdoors we often feel vulnerable. It’s probably one of the reasons we do it, because risk and reward are such closely bonded concepts! But at the same time, most of us recognise the importance of planning and risk mitigation. So it’s no surprise that a lot of people want to know what to do if you see a bear when out and about.

Use multiple bells: Consider using multiple bear bells to increase the sound and make it more noticeable to bears. You can attach bells to different areas of your gear or clothing for maximum effect. Before leaving for the woods, learn about bear-related regulations. Many parks require bear canisters, but others do not. The rangers at Grand Teton National Park encourage bear sprays when visiting the parks.

Grizzly bears, on the other hand, are found mostly in Alaska and northwestern Canada – although they are also found in smaller populations in northwestern Montana, Yellowstone National Park, northwestern Washington, and northern Utah. Inconsistent effectiveness: The effectiveness of bear bells in preventing bear encounters is not guaranteed. Just like with human food, some studies suggest that bears may become habituated to the sound of bear bells over time, rendering them less effective. It’s possible that bells aren’t loud or unfamiliar enough; I might be tuning them out the same way I tune out gurgling water or birds chirping. Supporters point out that in a study in Glacier National Park conducted in 1982, the only people who got charged by bears that year were not wearing bells.

Is it possible that in the earlier study where bears moved away from hikers carrying bells, it was actually because they were making other noises that alerted the bears to their presence? (Image credit: Getty) Noisy hiking experience: The continuous jingling of bear bells can be disruptive and detract from the peaceful hiking experience. Some hikers may find the noise irritating or distracting. Like I said – sometimes you just want to hear the sounds of nature (and not a noisy bell.) If you want to add a bear bell to your arsenal, try this inexpensive one: Coghlan’s Bear Bell with Magnetic Silencer. Are Bear Bells Worth It? Bear bells eliminate the need for other bear safety practices: Bear bells should not be relied upon as the sole form of bear deterrent. It is essential to follow other recommended practices such as carrying bear spray, properly storing food, and being aware of your surroundings.Not effective in certain situations: Bear bells may be less effective in windy conditions or areas with dense vegetation, as the sound may not carry far enough to alert nearby bears.

Some campers also use bear whistles to deter bears, although this method can be controversial because whistles are often used to signal distress and can cause false rescue alarms. Bear CanistersWhile experts disagree on whether bear bells are effective at repealing bears, many hikers firmly believe in using bear bells when they hike in areas where bears may potentially be living. The belief is that it prevents them from startling or accidently running into bears. Experts aren’t so sure. But before you laugh your way past them in the store, listen to this. Studies show that people carrying bells were never charged while on the trail. Compare that to the 14% of those without the noisemakers who had a close encounter, and it’s not all bad news. Bear bells have been a popular tool for hikers and campers in bear country for many years, but does the evidence support their effectiveness? Let’s take a look at the research and findings regarding the use of bear bells for bear deterrence. Studies on Bear Bell Effectiveness While the evidence and research generally support the effectiveness of bear bells, it’s important to note some considerations and limitations. First, bears can become habituated to certain stimuli over time, including the sound of bear bells. This means that the effectiveness of bear bells may vary depending on the behavior and previous experiences of the bears in a specific area. Start by identifying yourself. Don’t yell or shout, but do use low tones that confirm to the bear that you are human

Cubs are born in late January or early February, and the females (along with these newly born cubs) emerge in late March or early April. Cubs remain with their mothers for about eighteen months, or when she mates again – whichever comes first. Some people evangelize the use of bear bells, while many others point to different bear-diversion strategies they feel are better at mitigating the risk of being hurt by a bear. Here are a few frequently asked questions about bear bells so you can make a decision about if this bear prevention method is right for you. Whistles should not be used for the same reason that you should avoid bear bells. First, bears may be curious as to what is making the noise, and second, because whistles are usually high-pitched, they can awaken a bear’s predatory instincts. In the most advanced testing, bear biologist Tom Smith jingled bear bells in varying volumes in front of brown bears in Katmai National Park. Regardless of how vigorously he shook, 15 different sets of bruins ignored the bells. And yet they snapped at attention the second he broke a pencil in half. This isn’t 100-percent proof that bears don’t respond to bear bells; Katmai bears are known for being relatively non-aggressive. But it means that in this specific case, the bells failed to warn and change my behavior as intended. Bear bells guarantee 100% bear deterrence: While bear bells can be a useful tool, it is important to remember that they are not foolproof. Bears may still approach despite the noise, especially if they are surprised or have not been habituated to associate the sound with humans.They-make-things-worse: If bears do hear the bells, some bear experts like Dr. Stephen Herrero believe the bear bells may actually attract bears who are curious about the strange jingling sound.