Surviving Grizzly Bears: What Seemingly Worked for Soldiers

Two soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division recently learned the hard way that Alaska’s alarm clocks have fur and very large teeth. While trekking through the brush for some land navigation training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the duo stumbled upon a bear that had clearly woken up on the wrong side of the den.

While the Army keeps the details under wraps, the message is clear…whether you’re on a base in Anchorage or hiking the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, bear spray isn’t an “optional accessory.” These soldiers deployed the spicy stuff during a surprise encounter with a freshly awake grizzly, proving once again that “survival of the fittest”, in this case, could mean whoever has the quickest draw on the canister.

While some people argue a firearm is a lot more effective, some local wildlife officials are saying that spicy puff of pepper is likely the only reason this “training encounter” didn’t end in a permanent retirement. The base is a notorious hotspot for bear shenanigans—previous incidents include bears looting Humvees for MREs—but this early-season ambush serves as a reminder: the local wildlife doesn’t care about your rank, and they really don’t like being woken up before May.

So, if you’re going for a stroll in the Alaskan woods (or the Montana backcountry), be prepared. It’s the difference between a hospital stay and becoming a grizzly’s protein shake.