Bear Bells and Buck Knives
By,
Jennifer E. Miller
Bushwhacking
through the wilderness in search of huckleberries brings the possibility of a bear
encounter; a terrifying prospect to anyone but, in particular, to children. Such
was the case with my seven-year-old daughter, Gia.
“I’m
scared. And why isn’t Daddy coming?” she said.
“Daddy
can’t come this time. But don’t worry, there are ways to protect us,” I assured
her.
I
had done internet research and discovered various ways to fend off bears.
One
line of non-lethal defense is to simple make noise while hiking such as talking
or singing. For those who are introverts or not karaoke inclined, a bear bell is
another option that alerts wildlife of humanoid presence. Kids love bells and
I told Gia she bring every one she owns on our excursion.
After
rummaging through her stash of toys and craft supplies, she gathered up some
items. She planned to string a large Christmas bell to her shoe, clip smaller craft-sized
ones to a lanyard, and found two musical instruments. One was a shaker type with
a dowel-shaped handle and a cluster of bells on the other end. The second
instrument was a tambourine which she declared had enough bell-like quality to
ward of predatory wildlife.
The
preferred line of defense, according the internet, is bear spray. This is
basically high-zoot mace capable of reaching a distance of thirty feet or so.
Gia was more at ease with a physical defense against the attacking bear. We
headed out to the local sporting goods store to purchase a can.
The
sales person was a middle-aged man with a protruding gut and a toothpick
hanging from the corner of his mouth. I inquired as to the location of bear
spray.
“You
mean you want a 12-gauge shotgun.”
Gia
skipped off to look at something that caught her eye.
“No
just bear spray, please.” The sales person shrugged and led me to the section
with the bear spray. His thick boots clonked on the tile floor. The cans were
larger than I expected.
“How
about a holster of some sort for this thing?”
“Don’t
have those.”
When
he spoke the only part of his face that moved were his lips; everything else
was stiff, like his personality. I wondered how that was possible.
“How
am I supposed to tote it?”
He
shrugged again as he gnawed his toothpick.
I
thought out loud, “Well, I suppose I could take a plastic cup, drill some holes
near the top opposite each other, and thread a narrow rope through them, and
attached it to my belt loop.”
“Now,
that’s McGuyver-ing it!” At least he smiled. I was beginning to have doubts he possessed
any personality.
“I’d
also like to purchase a bear bell,” I said.
The
smile was whisked away and the shrug returned, this time with a crotchety,
“Mmm. Don’t have those either. But we have a nice selection of 357 magnums. If
you’re not into shooting anything, the noise will sure scare off a bear in a
hurry.”
Before I could respond, the
phone rang and he excused himself to answer it.
Since, Gia
wasn’t interested in sharing her arsenal of bells, my plan was to buy a bear
bell for myself. I would have to do without. Oh well, I thought. The chances of
a bear encounter were pretty slim anyway.
A
head of bouncing blonde hair came barreling around the corner. “Mommy, look
what I found! Daddy has a big one like this on his boat.”
She
showed me a miniature marine horn. The sporting goods store had stocked
baskets full of them for boating season. They were next to the cash register,
the life jackets, the kayaks, and probably even the camping food.
It
gave me an idea. Internet research said to make a lot of noise, like yelling
and clapping, to ward of bears. Fog horns are loud. It should, in theory, get
the job done. I gathered the spray and the horn and walked to the counter.
The
salesman had just hung up the phone and the dirty telephone cord swayed over
the edge of the glass countertop. I handed my items to him and dug out my
wallet from my handbag.
“I
figured you was hiking up a mountain when you asked for bear spray. What’s with
the horn?”
“I
thought this could be that loud noise to scare off the bear. Like you guessed, I’m
not into shooting things.”
His
eyebrows shot up in the air with surprise.
“You’re
coming up with some pretty creative work-arounds.” He almost sounded impressed.
“You
don’t leave me with much choice. It would be easier if you just carried what I
need.”
“Mmmm.”
Back to the crotchety grump face.
I
paid and as I headed for the door I heard the salesman holler, “Donny, move a
basket of those fog horns to the hunting section.” I smiled. I guess I did
leave an impression.
We
arrived home and I couldn’t locate a plastic cup to McGuyver into a bear spray
holster. I sighed and looked around the pantry for a viable alternative. I
found a foam beer bottle insulator. You know those things that keep beer cans
cool, same idea but shaped for bottles. The size wrapped perfectly around the
bear spray can and I secured it to my belt with a reusable rubber twisty tie. The
bear spray easily slid in and out of that thing. This would work! I proudly
showed it to Gia to ease her fears.
“Hey,
Gia, look. Mom has bear spray, you have your fog horn and bells, so we are all
set to pick berries tomorrow. Let me show you how to use this in case something
happens to me.”
Gia
was attentive and repeated the instructions for bear spray use: pull the safety
tab, aim slightly lower than the bear’s head, and spray for five seconds.
“Do
you feel safe now?”
Her
little face dropped, a frown forming, and crocodile tears silently leaked out
again.
“Why
are you upset?”
“What
if we have to use it?”
“We
hope we don’t, but in case we do, it’s there. Like insurance.”
“What’s
insurance?”
“Nevermind.”
For a moment I forgot she was seven. “Look, I know you are worried, but we have
done our best to prepare. Let’s go to bed and be rested for tomorrow, okay?”
I
could tell she wanted to forget this whole huckleberry idea. Nevertheless, I
helped her into her PJs and get ready for bed. I switched of her light and sat
down on her bed. She snuggled her favorite teddy bear as I rubbed her back, and
soon she fell asleep.
I
exhaled in relief and climbed into bed, switched off the lamp, and went to
sleep.
At
approximately 1:17 am, I was jolted awake by a blood curling scream. I whisked
myself out of bed and dashed down the hallway. Gia was flailing her arms about
and kicking her legs.
“Don’t
eat me! Don’t eat me!” she screamed.
I
knew exactly what her dream entailed. For a moment, I considered letting the
bear chase her and hopefully she’d remember to use all her defense tools we
discussed. Nah, I’ll have pity and wake her up.
“Gia!
Wake up. It’s only a dream!” I said, as I gently touched her shoulder. She
opened her eyes, which were wide with terror. I grabbed a tissue and wiped her
face, which had collected tiny beads of sweat. She sobbed while catching her
breath and wrapped her skinny little arms around me. I returned her hug.
After
her heart rate stabilized, she shared her nightmare.
“It
was a big bear. He ran on two legs. And he chased me! I dropped my bucket of huckleberries,
which I know was going to make you sad. He we reaching to grab me with his
great big long claws when you woke me up.”
I
smiled to myself. A bear running on two legs.
“Where
was mommy in your dream? You didn’t go into the woods by yourself did you?”
“No.
The bear ate you. Then he can after me.”
I
gulped. “Oh. Well, did you try clapping, throwing rocks, or using the fog
horn?”
She
began sobbing again. “Yes! I tried all those things! You even used your bear
spray; nothing worked! I’m scared, mommy. What if none of those things work and
the bear still gets us?”
I
knew that wouldn’t happen and reminded her that it was only a dream and to
return to sleep.
* * *
Over
breakfast Gia seemed more excited. I packed food, water, and berry collecting
containers. I strapped the bear spray on and as added security, I slipped a buck
knife to my belt. Maybe it was the size of the knife, but Gia stared coldly at
me. She had that weepy look on her face again.
“What
is it?” I asked. “I have prepared us as best I can. Everything will be fine and
we will have fun. What would make you feel safe?”
“If
Daddy came with us.”
Copyright 2018 by Jennifer E. Miller