 my Profile Email Page Printer Friendly Version  Battling Bear-
phobia  By Kevin Callan  I've had some really bad luck dealing
with bears. I'm not sure why. A bear biologist once suggested
that it was due to my fear of the animal, explaining that if a
bear senses any anxiety, he will use it to his advantage. His
theory actually makes sense.  I had a bear scare me off my
campsite and then steal a chocolate cake I was in the middle of
baking. I had a bear bully me away from my camp gear while on a
portage and then steal a tube of toothpaste from my pack. I had
a bear harass me the moment I pulled into a park visitor center
parking lot and then attempt to steal, oddly enough, my thermos
of coffee. And I must admit that each time I was absolutely
horrified. Who wouldn't be?  Out of pure desperation I soon
learned to battle my bear phobia. The first time I stood my
ground was at a public campground. A large male bear had
bothered me to no end throughout the week. Finally, I couldn't
stand the stress of having the b