Bear Aware Traditional Cache

Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Anchorage - Big Wild Life! And never very far from view are the biggest of Anchorage's wildlife - moose, black bears and brown bears. This cache will help you learn how to be 'Bear Aware' while traveling about Anchorage and the state of Alaska.


Campbell Tract's "Big Three" - Brown Bear, Moose, and Black Bear...

Anchorage’s natural setting and abundant wildlife attract more than 140,000 visitors annually to the recreation trails and education facilities at the Bureau of Land Management’s 730-acre BLM Campbell Tract (where this cache is located). The site includes the Anchorage Field Office, a warehouse, the Campbell Science Center (an outdoor education center), communication sites, and an active airstrip and heliport. With its 12 miles of trails, the tract offers four-season outdoor recreation opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, skijoring, dog mushing, XC skiing, horseback riding and geocaching.

Recent tracking studies by the Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game confirm that Campbell Tract is home to more brown bears than previously thought. Between GPS-collar tracking studies and analysis of DNA data gathered from 'hair traps' along bear trails, wildlife biologists now know more than 3 dozen brown bears regularly frequent the Tract and surrounding Far North Bicentennial Park. These are not transient bears; they are resident bears who depend on the king and silver salmon runs of Campbell Creek to survive. There is nowhere else in North America where so many brown bears congregate with such density within the city limits of such a large municipality.

This cache was placed during a Wednesday evening Science Chat at the BLM Campbell Science Center on July 30 2008. Featured speakers were NorthWes and the Ladybug Kids - talking about geocaching, of course! As part of the event, BLM staffers provided pointers to the attendees on safe travel through moose and bear country. (Two of the best tips are to make noise and travel in a group - six or more preferred.) After some classroom time, the attendees left in two separate large groups to seek this cache (previously hidden nearby, containing BLM flashcards on 'Bear Aware' and 'Moose Aware' travel tips, BLM pencils and Bear magnets).

Before you search for a cache on the Campbell Tract you're encouraged to visit the websites below to learn more about the Tract, tips on safe travel during wildlife encounters in Alaska's backcountry, and how you can become involved in educating others about outdoor safety.

BLM Campbell Tract Bear Safety

 The Essentials for Traveling in Bear Country - by AK Dept of Fish & Game

 Living in Harmony with Bears - by AK Dept of Fish & Game

 An Overview of Alaska's Bears - by AK Dept of Fish & Game

 Bear Safety - by Alaska State Parks

 What to Do About Aggressive Moose - by AK Dept of Fish & Game

 Map of BLM Campbell Tract

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

onfr bs fcehpr

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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