Outwitting Bears: The Essential Handbook for Living with Bears, Avoiding Encounters, and Preventing Attacks on Anyone Living in Bear Country

by Gary Brown

An essential book for anyone who camps or travels in bear country; or who has a home in areas where bears live or visit.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw this book in passing on a shelve at the library, I thought it was a satirical look at some business problems. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that it was SURPRISE! about outwitting actual bears if you live where they are common. Apparently, I need to take things a little more literally. Intriqued by this mistake, my 16yo asked me to bring the book home. I don't know if he read it, but I did. I had not realized that bears are attracted by just about anything having to do with people, edible or not. The author presents, in detail, how to avoid encounters with bears. I do think he went a little far when he said that such meetings are always the fault of the human. This is a must-read for anyone who lives in, or plans to visit, an area where bears are common.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did you know that "the record for sheep kills by a single bear in one attack probably goes to a black bear in Idaho that killed 235 sheep by running them off a cliff" ?? Or that polar bear milk is 30% fat and smells like fish?

If not, this is the book to enlighten you.

[Benjamin Plume · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of the better guides I have read. The author certainly has a firm grasp of bear behavior and their interaction with humans. His grasp of prose is not so tight. I did learn from its pages, but I was not particularly entertained.