Hi Lily, I am jealous of your kayaking, sounds wonderful.   No, I don't see any bears when I creekwalk. I'm afraid my policy when in wooded environments is to make enough noise so as to let snakes and things know it's time to slither off. So far it works. And in hunting season I like to sing or whistle showtunes.   The slob hunters might turn and shoot by mistake at something in a tan jacket, (deer are tan, so why not?) but not if it's making noises that sound like "Some Enchanted Evening"!