Grizzlies are the master of their world. They are the biggest, strongest predator and can kill black bears in their home range. Are they dangerous to you? Normally no.

Like the black bear, grizzly cubs never learn to see people as prey. They may be curious about you but are not predatory. Given warning, they will leave you alone. Unless you smell like something good to eat.

A grizzly follows its nose just like your neighbourhood black bear. If you cook supper over a campfire in a remote area then crawl into your tent for the night, you are inviting trouble. The smell of the cooking stays on your clothes. A grizzly smells your cook fire and wanders into camp to see what smells so good. It tracks the smell to your clothes in the tent and rips the tent to follow the good odors. You have a big problem.

The solution is to cook 300 feet from your tent. Then take off the clothes you wore while cooking and put them in a plastic bag for the night. Don't get cooking smells in your hair - wear a hat. Avoid frying bacon or cooking smelly fish or meat and use a gas stove rather than a wood fire, if possible. Store a food bag in a tree, hang it twelve feet off the ground and four feet from the trunk.

Clean every dish and pot soon after eating and never drop food or scraps on the ground. Store leftovers in tight plastic containers. Put all garbage in closed plastic bags and pack it out. In other words, be aware of creating any smells that will carry on the wind for miles to the nearest grizzly or black bear.

If you are fishing, always clean your fish as soon as possible and throw the guts into the middle of the river. Secure your catch in your vehicle and always give a grizzly the right-of-way along a beach trail. Keep your hands, clothes and equipment clean of fish smells.