[pct-l] WILD ANIMAL WARNING

[Reinhold Metzger]

T o all those who hike the PCT in fear of Mt. Lions, bears or other 
beasts of prey and carry pepper spray, bells and whistles and other 
devises as a defense against those beasts of prey, I would strongly 
recommend you read the following warning.


                                                                       
W  A  R  N  I  N  G

Due to rising frequency of human encounters with wild life the Ministry 
of Fish and wild life is advising hikers, hunters and fishermen to take 
extra precaution while in the bush.
We advise the outdorsman to wear little noisy bells to give advance warning.
We also advise anyone using the out-of-doors to carry ''Pepper Spray'' 
in case of an encounter.
Outdorsmen should also be on the watch for fresh lion activity and be 
able to tell the difference between lion cub shit and big lion shit.
Lion cub shit is smaller and contains lots of berries and dassie fur.
Big lion shit has bells in it, and smells like pepper

Ministry of Fish and Wildlife
Mozambique


Seems to me, I read somewhere, that besides little bells and Pepper 
Spray even whistles, trekking poles, hand free umbrellas, reflector tape 
and  battery powered fans have been found in big bear droppings along 
the PCT.
It appears bears seek out hikers with those above gizmos.......that is 
why I don't carry any off those things.

H I K E    O N,.....and remember for every bear dropping containing the 
above items there is one happy well fed bear.

JMT Reinhold
The gizmo free hiker