PS I love wildlife. Period. But that love is predicated on the understanding that they have a territory and when I enter that territory, I'd best keep my wits about me. I have hunted for food--I gave up hunting for 'pleasure' in my teens. It was after I killed a family of raccoons at the request of a farmer. I realized I liked what I had done, and I never wanted to experience that feeling again.

I have never found bears to be a problem. As so many have pointed out, don't surprise them, don't feed them (in either verb transitivity), and do not get between a sow and her cubs. Incidentally, the two bears I educated over the years were blacks. They ran when they heard the shot.

I have seen bears do some remarkable things, and they are extremely powerful, fast creatures. A swipe from a grizzly will easily take a human's head off. No person is a match for a bear. Period. Ya can't outrun them (although IF you have no choice, run downhill). The front legs are shorter than the rear, and it's slower going downhill for the bear. However, that means that instead of catching you in thirty seconds it will catch you in forty-five. If by chance you have to run from a bear, take off your shirt and throw it behind you. Might buy you a little time.

Metchosin, I have never ridden a horse in my life. I know you are a horsewoman, and I envy that. After the hip replacement, I guess I won't have the chance. I have friends who go on trail rides, etc, and they rave about it. Keep safe and keep well.

BM