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I've ran into a bear on two different occasions as well as some kind of wild dogs near a couple local objects in the past month. It seems like the smart thing to do would be to make lots of noise and hike during the day, but that is counterproductive when trying to be sneaky to get to an exit point. Has anyone been attacked or had close calls on the way to or leaving a jump?

There hasn't been an incedent, yet, with a polar bear. They are curious animals and they have circled peoples tents. I had a cow break into a cash and steal my food on one trip and I've had them pass by out side my tent which was a little disconcerting as I was never aware that they were there.

There was one fatality a few years ago where one got a hunter inside his tent. It wasn't really a case of predation I think it was just curious. The way I heard the story was it kind of pounced on the tent pushing it down to see what it was or what was in it. He struggled and squeeled which triggered an attack reflex and he was bitten. He was pinned inside the tent and could not reach his rifle but he was able to reach the radio. They all still carry HF radios with them as a sort of chat line. He was able to turn the nob all the way up and it scared the bear away. I don't think it was a real attack per say. He was able to call for help but he'd been bitten in the shoulder at the junction with the neck and bled out before they were able to reach him.

I think wolves are actually the bigger issue. It's not so much that they are dangerous as that they can be Very destructive. They can destroy a camp while you're gone. And oddly enough the worst offenders live under the houses in the town. Sled dogs. I hate fucking sled dogs. Evil, foul, mellishes... They're evil. The spawn of satan. A far greater danger then all the bears. And they have rabis too. No shit. I've met Cujo up there.

Lee

Lee that was an awesome post

A friend of mine told me of flying into an LZ over the top of a bear....
maybe he'll chime in.

I don't think you need to worry about bears, http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d2d_1376240573 (watch the second video). Though I'm not saying you should totally do it but if you do wear a GoPro.

It depends on the type of bear. That's a little bitty black bear. That one must live near a town or it would be even more shy. I would not describe them as dangerous. The only reason it stuck around and let her get that close is that it was eating the acorns. The biggest issue with them being there tendency to go dumpster diving. Or to try to dig through your car, tent, pack looking for any thing yummy. Things might be different if it felt threatened. Like if you surprised it. Perticurly if it had a cub with it. But even then it would most likely not be attacking to kill. It would not be an issue of predation. And once it had the opportunity to run away it would undoubtedly take it. this is why they advise you to just curry up, protect your head and neck and play dead. I've only ever heard one actual no shit black bear attack that ended in a death. It was about 10 years ago.

Brown bears are different. They are also shy. If they hear you coming you will most likely not see them. The real danger is that you might surprise them. Like taking out the trash to the dumpster in the middle of the night. They are much more likely to be territorial and defend a food source for a perceived threat. They can have much more attitude. And an attack can be much more real. They will presue an attack longer. People are killed by brown bears.

Polar bears are in a class all their own. The are not omnivores. The eat meat. They are some what shy but they are also curious intelligent creatures. They have not had as much contact with man and many have not developed a real fear. The times I've been around them has been at a time of the year when they are well fed. Most of the contact I've seen has been a product of simple curiosity. At other times they can be motivated by hunger and it can be a case of actual predation in which they will kill for food. And you are food. They can also have more attitude particularly young males. Polar bears will kill people. It's really a question of their motivations at the time.

Lee

"this is why they advise you to just curry up, protect your head and neck and play dead"

Based on my extensive youtube research, I understand that this technique is only good for grizzly bears (brown bears), not black bears. If a black bear attacks, stand your ground and fight to the death. If a grizzly bear attacks, lay on your stomach and protect your neck with your hands over your neck.