No it's not that!

I got well into the brush and turned around to find Ms. Bear Bells wasn't any where near! So much for my protection!

You should never surprise wildlife! Especially those big enough to hurt you!! We wear bells to provide awareness to the "locals" that we are there and allow a gracious retreat.

Assumes the bell carrier IS right behind you! Yes after that I carried my own set of noise-makers.

Five minutes later we found the very new BIG Footprints and left the area ...post haste noted!!

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/safety/bears.htm