By Kathy Hughes
Contributing Writer
Is there any lesson or common thread in the fact that, within four weeks, there were three encounters between children and wild animals: a gorilla, an alligator and a mountain lion? I have wondered about it, but have found no one thing that would be a key to survival. Other than that they were all boys under five years of age, there doesn’t appear to any strong caution to in these stories prevent such incidents — just hold on to your kids!
The mountain lion in Colorado who attacked a five year old is the most recent encounter, and it made a particular impression since it occurred in the Rocky Mountains, where I plan to spend my vacation, albeit in Montana. Are mountain lions a problem in Montana?
Ever since my vacation plans were finalized, I have worked to anticipate what problems I should prepare for. I have started a box to collect insect repellent, sunscreen, spare eyeglasses and the like. I have labeled the collection “Montana Survival Kit.”
My first call to the guest ranch where I will be staying concerned insects — known and unknown. “No,” I was told, “our altitude is high enough, that insects aren’t much of a problem here.” What a relief — I have never forgotten the time I was nearly eaten alive by black flies on a camping trip to the Adirondacks. Or, the time I was attacked by unrelenting horse flies on a camping trip to Chincoteague Island. Those biters, big or small, can ruin a vacation.
Only two weeks later, I found myself making another phone call to Montana: “What about snakes? Do you have any problems with snakes?” Again, the altitude was cited as a protective factor; snakes are not a problem.
After the mountain lion incident, it occurred to me that there might be mountain lions in Montana, so this time I looked it up myself. The results were equivocal — mountain lions have been spotted in Montana, but are not exactly numerous. Then a dreadful question made its way into my consciousness: bears?!
Of course there are bears in Montana; Yellowstone Park, very near where I’ll be staying, is probably crawling with bears. I have been led to believe that bear sightings, even some bear encounters, are a feature of any visit to the park. Both regular brown bears and the mighty Grizzly bear, make their home in this area.
Anxiously, I looked up “what to do if you encounter a bear,” and “how to avoid bear attacks.”
There is actually a product, “bear repellent.” Good thing I found out about this — bear repellent is actually pepper spray, packed in a powerful aerosol can able to shoot 30 feet. I read about how to use it, since it is recommended that you practice so that you are prepared for the forceful expulsion of the spray. Suddenly, thirty feet did not seem very far, and certainly not far enough from a charging bear as far I was concerned.
Surely, the trail guides will know where the bears hang out, and how to avoid them. There should be no need for me to add bear repellent to my survival kit, the staff at the ranch will have it at hand, just in case. In any case, I am not going to call ahead of time to find out about bears, I already know all that I want to know. If I am charged by a bear, I will collapse in fright, and there will be no need for bear repellent.
