(Naturalist has been invited to speak to the members of a college hiking club. Listen to part of the discussion. Because of their protected status, a lot of bears have lost their fear of people. This may make them appear tame, (but they're still potentially very dangerous. Bears are wild animals. One or two bear attacks occur each year in .glacier park. The majority of attacks occur because people have surprised the bear. What should we do? If we surprise a bear? You should try to avoid encounters in the first place by being alert and make noise. Talk loud. Holler. Bears will usually move out of the way. If they hear people approaching, some people say to carry bells or put bells on your pack. Most bells, even the so called bear bells, are not loud enough. Calling out or clapping hands at regular intervals are better ways to make your presence known. But isn't it kind of rude to make a lot of” 'noise in the woods? I mean people go there for peace and quiet in bear country. Noise is good for you, hiking I quietly in dangers you, the bear and other hikers, people sometimes assume they don't have to make noise while !'hiking on a well used trail. Some of the most frequently used trails in glacier park are surrounded by excellent bear habitat. You can't predict when and where theirs might appear along a trail. That's for sure. I remember my surprise when a black bear charged me. It must have been running away from hikers who surprised it on the trail ahead of Ime. Don't assume the bears hearing is any better than your own.