I think what most often skews the opinion of most novices and some that consider themselves experienced or even experts when it comes to Grizzlies is that 99% of their encounters with bears have been in parks or other similar enviroments where the bears have become conditioned to people.
Wild bears don't act like park bears.
In my opinion lower 48 park bears are some of the most dangerous bears on earth because they are totally unpredictable.
They can go from posing for the camera to tearing you a new azz in a heartbeat.
Add a food cache to the picture and there is sure to be an issue.
Majority of the times you have a encounter with a Grizzly the bear has been aware of you long before you became aware of it being in the area. This always gives the bear the upper hand with the encounter, you can bank on that.
Truer words were never spoken. My experience with grizzlies has been pretty benign over the years, but I understand grizzly behavior has changed substantially in areas where they are no longer being hunted (southern Alberta, Montana, and B.C.). I have tended to be more wary of black bears, which have a greater tendency to view humans as prey than grizzlies are.
