Nature Is a Woman’s Place

How the myth spread that bears will attack menstruating women.

Ladies, do you have a secret fear a bear will track and attack you when you’re menstruating in the wild?

Everyone else, do you avoid going camping in bear country with menstruating women?

 As a woman who surfs in California’s red triangle (known for regular shark attacks) and who loves hiking in the wild, this is a question that concerns me, for obvious reasons, at least once a month. After researching this topic extensively, I am embarrassed to admit that a few months ago my answer to the first question was yes. If you answered yes too, you’re not alone. Most people I asked said yeah it’s blood, so they can smell it. A few people said I don’t know, and no one offered a definitive no - except for Caroline Byrd in Bozeman, Montana.

 Before we get to Byrd’s story, let me tell you about the night the menstruation myth was born – The Night of the Grizzly.

Publication: Jezebel, Sisu Magazine, Seawitches Zine, and many others. 2017.

*This article is no longer available online. Working on finding a new home and will link when available.

Images: Illustration by Lily Padula. Grizzly (1976) film poster.Vintage brochure called “Grizzly Grizzly Grizzly.” Yellowstone National Park website capture; this page has since been deleted.