114: Bear Safety Tips!

Exploring the National Parks

Dirt In My Shoes

Science, Society & Culture:places & Travel, Nature, Places & Travel, Society & Culture

4.8 • 653 Ratings

🗓️ 14 May 2025

⏱️ 61 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Afraid of bears while exploring the national parks? You’re not alone! In this episode, we are diving headfirst into the hairy topic of bears in the parks. From close encounters to bear spray strategies, we’re tackling all your burning questions. Join us as we help you learn how to keep yourself (and your snack-sized children) safe in bear country! Join us as we discuss: Our heart-pounding close encounters with bears, and what we did (or almost did!) to avoid becoming a bear's snack Why your voice is the best bear deterrent, and why bear bells aren’t nearly as helpful as you might think Repeat after us: "Do not run, do not run, do not run!" Why this is the ultimate survival tip, even when a baby seal is involved How to keep the furry residents of national parks healthy by mastering the art of food storage Pro tips for spotting the difference between different types of bears The surprising reason why leaving food in your car is a recipe for disaster (and a bear-y inconvenient problem) The parks to visit if you really WANT to see a bear The power of bear spray and how it can save you from a close encounter of the furry kind Our tips for navigating bear country with kids, and why keeping them close is key The dos and don’ts of using bear spray safely and effectively We hope you find these tips helpful while you’re out exploring the national parks. Trust us, the trails and the views are absolutely worth getting your black belt in bear skills. Don’t forget your task for today! We want to hear your bear stories! Bonus points if you include a picture. Head over to the Dirt In My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and share! For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip-planning started, check out the full show notes.

Transcript

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0:00.0	If you only take one thing from this episode, it is do not run, do not run, do not run.
0:05.8	Do not run.
0:07.1	Even if you're trying to outrun a baby seal, do not run.
0:13.1	This is the Exploring the National Parks podcast with Dirt in My Shoes.
0:18.3	My name is Ash and I'm a former park ranger and the founder of Dirt in My Shoes.
0:22.6	I think that the parks are best seen from the trail, and I'm here to make National Park
0:27.3	Trip Planning easy.
0:28.8	And I'm John.
0:29.8	I carry the kids on the trails, tell stories, and notice all the things that Ash doesn't
0:33.9	care about much, like flowers.
0:37.2	Join us as we show you around America's spectacular national parks.
0:41.6	We're sharing our favorite places, fun facts, adventures, and misadventures.
0:45.7	And we'll even throw in a little trip planning.
0:48.5	Let's start exploring.
1:05.1	I'm pretty excited because me and the boys just finished watching all three Indiana Jones movies.
1:09.8	And I say all three because those are the ones that count.
1:19.1	In my opinion, the boys have been running around the house recently singing Indiana Jones and talking about it.
1:24.6	We've been so excited in our household about watching Indiana Jones and the last crusade the last few days.
1:29.3	Our oldest son told me, like, mom, when it comes to books or movies,
1:38.4	the more violent, the better. I'm like, oh, boy. It was so cool. We just went to the store the other day and we bought some model tanks that me and the boys and Ash maybe if she wants to help. We're going to put together some model tanks that me and the boys and Ash maybe if she wants to help.
1:45.7	We're going to put together some model tanks from World War II.
1:49.7	And my oldest son, he's like, I just know it.
	...

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