Episode 113: What You Need to Know About Being Safe in Bear Country

If you camp in bear country, you need to listen to this interview. So much that has been written about bear safety is wrong. In this episode we talk to perhaps the foremost expert in bear attacks and he shares foolproof advice on how to stay safe and be bear aware. Also, lots of tips, advise about boondocking and a hilarious off the beaten path report in which our correspondent ended up in a nudist camp! Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #113 Nov 8 2016 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK One task we RVers all have that is no fun is doing dishes… Anything that can make that chore less time consuming is welcome. So this week, you will love our tip about a product that combines an ultra-durable Bounty paper towel with the grease-fighting power of Dawn dish soap. It comes from our friend Joette George, who we met on a recent camping trip. [spp-timestamp time="8:00"] The product is called “Bounty with Dawn” and the company claims it produces results that are four times cleaner than a used dishcloth. It is the thickest, strongest Bounty available on the market, with 70% more fibers in each sheet and cloth-like durability to stay intact while cleaning. Bounty with Dawn can even be reused—simply rinse and wring the grease out to keep tackling any mess with just one sheet. Designed to leave virtually no streaks behind, Bounty with Dawn can be used on almost any surface. It is especially great for pots, pans, countertops, stovetops, glass, granite, stainless steel and mirrors. It’s widely available in food, grocery and mass retailers all across North America or on Amazon, where you can get a roll of three for a little under $14. Be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox. I love hearing from you! Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: A listener wanted to know why Alde hydronic heaters are not available on toy haulers. Mike explains the Alde system is now an aftermarket product; it must be built in to production coach. Right now, on RVs, its primarily available on Roadtreks and Winnebagos…mostly Class Bs. The bigger RVs are really boxes that are just bolted and welded on a frame. Class Bs are custom built. [spp-timestamp time="12:23"] Another listener asks about finding cheap places to boondock. Mike refers him to boondockerswelcome.com, harvesthosts.com and the following stories on the Roadtreking.com RV Travel Blog blog: [spp-timestamp time="15:15"] Campskunk’s Ten Most Breathtaking Boondock RV Spots RV Boondocking in Non Traditional Ways Apps and Websites to find the perfect boondocking spot Boondocking 101: The Basics of Boondocking Podcast Episode Dispersed Camping in National Forests Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas. Bringing You the largest Inventory of class B’s from three locations. INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK - Bear Safety Chuck Bartlebaugh, founder and director of the Be Bear Aware Campaign. This week we talk to perhaps the top expert in Bear Safety and bear/human interactions in North America, Chuck Bartlebaugh, founder and director of the Be Bear Aware Campaign. [spp-timestamp time="27:42"] Chuck has vast experience with bears and how to avoid conflict and he shares it in this interview. Chuck notes that there is a lot of information out there on television programs, in advertisements and even in literature used by government field workers on how to properly react to bears in the wild. Counter Assault Bear Spray Chuck has researched human-wildlife conflicts extensively, studying why an increasing number of people are attempting to approach and interact with wild animals. He worked with National parks, Universities, bear biologists and wildlife research agencies for decades. He has traveled extensively photographing and observing human-wildlife interactions in national parks, forests and refuges in the lower 48 states, Canada, and Alaska. Among other things he talks about: Why Bear Spray is the most effective means to stop a bear attack How you should use bear spray and when Why you should never hike alone in bear country The differences between black bears and grizzly bears How a charging bear can reach speeds of