It really is the rare day when I see or run into a bear in Glacier Park. When I do, I talk in low tones and keep a safe distance. I never approach them. Most bears want nothing to do with you. This photo was taken with a 400mm lens, which is a 600mm equivalent on a D300. Having said that, carrying bear spray is highly recommended for that chance close encounter. I could save your life. Black bears are far less aggressive than grizzlies. Right now Glacier is in the process of hunting down a sow griz and her cubs who consistently approached people in backcountry campsites with her cubs. This has been happening for years. The sow will be destroyed, the cubs will go to the Bronx Zoo, that's the plan at any rate. I have mixed feelings about killing a bear that hasn't actually hurt anyone. But you have to think she got food from someone somewhere. Why else would she cozy up to people in campgrounds? The bottomline?
The Park has to be ever vigilant about food storage and food use in the backcountry. I've seen plenty of folks in the backcountry who take no bear spray, no survival gear, nothing. They think because it's called a Park, that it is a Park. But it isn't. It's mostly wilderness and all the creatures, no matter how "friendly" they may appear, are wild. For example, goats, sheep, marmots and deer don't approach people because they "like" us. They approach us because we sweat and when we sweat we release a lot of salt. Glacier's critters are salt and mineral deficient, so they're attracted to you (or, in many cases, your pack). Ditto with feminine products. A bear would love nothing more than to chew on a Maxi-pad. Pack it in, pack it out.