The Alaska State Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, fishermen and golfers to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the Kenai Mountains area.

They advise people to wear noise-producing devices such as little bells on their clothing to alert but not startle the bear unexpectedly. They also advise carrying pepper spray in case of an encounter with a bear. It is also a good idea to watch for fresh signs of bear activity and ... know the difference between black bear and grizzly bear droppings.

Black bear droppings are smaller and contain berries and possibly squirrel fur. Grizzly bear droppings have little bells in them and smell like pepper spray.

I wonder where the grizzlies are finding the bells and what are they eating that makes their droppings smell like pepper spray.

There needs to be a field study led by Gov. Locke and Sen. Murray.

LOL dude!

Don't them hikers know yer not 'sposed to carry whistles, bells, n' pepper spray. Yer 'sposed to carry big ole pork chops to stuff in yer buddies back pocket before you run!!!

I lived in Juneau for many years and had way too many brown bear experiences. Ultimately I found that the best bear repellant, by a long shot, was a 338 Winchester Magnum using hand loaded 300 grain Barns bullets and 72 grains of IMR4350. The minimum bear repellant in my opinion. I got charged once while deer hunting and one round in front of this big old boar’s front feet appeared to make brother bruin wish he were someplace else.

Also, a black bear can kill you just as dead as any brown bear can.