Grizzly bears historically ranged from Alaska to Mexico, reaching from the Pacific to the Mississippi. Today their numbers and range have greatly decreased, with populations living mostly in Alaska, Western Canada, and the Northwestern United States.
Snowmobilers in grizzly bear country are encouraged to avoid traveling quickly, and be aware of a blind corners and other locations where a bear might make a surprise appearance. The following video shows a snowmobiler that was caught off guard cresting a hill in the Idaho backcountry as he passed a grizzly bear.
Fortunately the encounter was brief and the snowmobiler wisely altered course and stayed on his machine. While a byproduct of snowmobiling is producing noise which can be beneficial in alerting wildlife to your presence, this doesn’t mean snowmobilers should let their guard down in grizzly bear country. Learn more about grizzly bear safety below:
US FOREST SERVICE BEAR SAFETY GUIDELINES:
Being outdoors means being with wildlife. Many people never encounter a bear. But if you do, here’s some simple advice:
- DO NOT RUN.
- Remain calm.
- Group together and pick up small children.
- Continue to face the bear and back away slowly, talking calmly to identify yourself as a human.
- If the bear continues to approach, try to scare it away by making yourself as large and imposing as possible by stretching your arms overhead and making loud noises.
- Carry and know how to use bear spray, which is available at many outdoor retailers and can be used to deter a charging bear.