The odds cited are based on the number of people *reported* killed in North
America by the black bear this century, as of 1990 - a total of 25 (The
Great American Bear - by Jeff Fair and Lynn Rogers.) I agree that the odds
would increase significantly as you enter the Alaska bush - yet the chance
you'll end up dead by a black bear attack does remain rather small. The
risk of injury would likely be somewhat higher.

By the way, I have found the above referenced book to be an excellent one
on the black bear.

"Most fear of bears comes from reading too much scare literature, talking
to too many people who are afraid of them (it's catching) and spending too
little time with actual bears." - Dr. Lynn Rogers

He also tells us that Herrero's book offers us the most readable and
objective treatment of the subject (Bear Attack's) but warns that the
details and descriptions will, as always, tend to overshadow the realistic
unlikelihood of bona fide attacks.

Andy Sorensen
Anchorage, Anchorage
ajstudio at ptialaska.net