Hiking in Bear country always poses a certain amount of risk, the same is true of driving in the park alongside cliffs with drivers looking at wildlife and not the road. Scientists have estimated that an average of 1 person per year is killed by a bear in the park. Your safety is not guaranteed. With that said, we guide on class five rapids, in the winter we paddle over and near 12 foot alligators daily, and we hike in bear country. We here at Shurr Adventures will teach you everything you need to know in bear country to make you feel confident in your abilities should the situation arise. 91 percent of all attacks are either solo hikers or just 2 people. Group attacks account for only 9 percent of attacks since the 70's. Please don't let this dissuade you from hiking in this area, we just like to be candid with people and let them know how seriously we take your safety.