Volume 8 Number 4                   Summer  1999                                                              Page 7

Montana Fieldtrip Precautions
In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field. We advise that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle bears that aren't expecting them.  We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear. It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear poop.  Black bear poop is smaller and contains lots of berry seeds and squirrel fur.  Grizzly bear poop has little bells in it and smells like pepper.
This timely warning from the Midwest Federation website at
http://www.commean.com/rocks/mwf/newsletter/
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The Cartoons in this issue are from the book Mineralogical Journeys in Arizona,  by A. L. Flagg, copyright 1958 by Fred H. Bitner.  They were Drawn by John Powers, Safety Department, Anaconda Copper Mining Company, Butte, Montana.  Text supplied through the cooperation of the Safety Division, United States Bureau of Mines, Phoenix, AZ..