John Kitsco

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Over the years, hiking through areas in Montana, Whiteswan Lake, in British Columbia (Canada)  trail riding in the wild Slocan Valley, cross country ski trips around Canmore and Lake Louise in Alberta - you soon realize, this is the wilderness...this is bear country...and having had a close encounter with a very large black bear, where I tumbled down a hillside, and the bear did not pursue me, I have gained much respect for bears.

In his simply gorgeous book called THE BEAR, by James Oliver Curnwood - his own personal encounter with a grizzly changed him from being a hunter to being a champion of protecting animals. And though Curnwood grew up in Michigan, his heart was in the Canadian Rockies.

In his book Curnwood tells us that the grizzly has poor vision but with a keen sense of smell and sound manages well in the wilderness.  Like Curnwood, I advocate protecting this species.

Nature is so beautiful. If you are willing to listen and tread softly
you have so much to gain by taking time to hike through the glorious Rocky Mountains (but take heed, the Grizzly awakens
in the spring)

In memory of James Oliver Curnwood, 1873-1927.