34 IDAHO FALLS MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2018
The Greater Yellowstone grizzly bear population grew
from less than 200 hundred bears to more than 700 in four decades
of Endangered Species protection.
Now run-ins are on the rise in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming as
the bear's range expands and urban sprawl does the same thing.
Convincing people to carry bear spray is the fi rst challenge. Using it
properly is a close second.
"A common mistake is people just wait too long to deploy their
bear spray," says Chris Kula, Caribou-Targhee National Forest wild-
life biologist.
The charging bear simulator helps fi x mistakes. It's an archery
bear decoy launched down 40 feet of track. It teaches people how
to use bear spray. It also reveals how fast people unravel when a
bear is in their bubble.
"They are surprised at how soon the bear is there. They are sur-
prised how diffi cult it is for them to get the bear spray operating
even though they know it's going to happen," says Tony Appelhans,
Idaho Master Naturalist member and simulator builder. "When you
turn around and see that funny little bear coming at you, it just
stops you thinking."
The decoy moves three times slower than a real bear. Even
with the slowmo advantage, human response time is still
seriously lacking.
East Idaho Outdoors editor Kris Millgate tested her response time
by going nose to nose with a charging bear on tracks and a can of
pepperless bear spray for practice.
Decoy bear tests response time
BY KRIS MILLGATE
Charging
Grizzly
Top Speed
Decoy bear: 7 mph Stops charging at the
end of the track.
Real bear: 30 mph Doesn't stop charging.
There's no track.
{ R I D G E S — E A S T I D A H O L A N D S T O R I E S }
KRIS MILLGATE PHOTOS
