Tom Griffin, Wildlife Specialist for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, offers safety tips on what to do if you encounter a bear. If your bear encounter turns into a stand-off, you'll want to hold your ground and begin talking to the animal in a clear, strong voice. Black bears rarely become aggressive when encountered. The vast majority of attacks happen when a grizzly bear gets surprised. The long hairs usually have a lighter tip; hence, grizzly bears look "grizzled." The best way to deal with a bear encounter (or heaven forbid an attack) is to never have one. If attacked in a building or tent, immediately fight back. Typically, those creatures won't even notice that you are there, as they harmlessly go about their business. ... Don't let the color fool you — black bears can be brown in color and brown bears can be nearly black," said Goldes. When the bear leaves, remove potential attractants such as garbage, bird seed, or pet food. If you’ve avoided blind corners and loud streams where bears might not be able to hear you and you still run into one…here’s what to do next. Hold the can in two hands, with one finger on the trigger, and extend your arms straight out. In a campground. Don’t spray it yet! If you encounter a bear, you should try to remain calm and avoid sudden movements. As visitors camping in bear country, you have a responsibility to follow the bear rules and to know what to do if you encounter a bear. Should I charge it? Back away when possible. DO NOT climb trees to escape a bear. That said however, there are some other physical characteristics that can help you to tell them apart. What to do if you see either of these two main classes of bears is pretty similar - but with one key difference, which you'll need to know if the bear actually starts to attack. Wind will reduce this effective range even farther (and may blow the spray back into your face). 2020 was a dark year. Bears may be large creatures, but they are still fast enough to run down humans and they have the endurance to outlast most of us too. It also helps to make yourself look as large as possible, as this can intimidate the bear, possibly forcing it to back down. Do not stare The bear will see a direct stare as a challenge. Don’t approach a bear – just quietly move away and leave the area. It evolved as a way to prevent encounters with enemies and it may provide you with an opportunity to back away. So, what should you do when you see black bear? As of 2016, more than 11 million people and 1,600 black bears share the park each year. One of the most exhilarating and wonderful creatures that you can encounter while hiking or backing in the wilderness of North America is a bear. Then move away quietly in the opposite direction. Some hikers like to wear a bell on their pack that jingles while they walk, alerting bears and other creatures to their presence. Do not play dead and do not act aggressively. On the other hand, grizzly bears can be quite aggressive, and because they are so large fighting back isn't generally a good option. The first step, as in many situations, is prevention. Never feed or approach bears. If you encounter a bear that’s aware of you: don’t run; running may trigger a chase response. Lay flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck. The reality is that majority of encounters with the black bears rarely result to aggressive behavior and the attacks are rarer. WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A BEAR. If you find that the bear is staying close but not moving, slowly start to back away. Trump, first lady test positive for COVID-19 Pepper spray is only good at very close range (5 m or 15 ft). Back up slowly Never turn your back on a bear, or run. Here's what you should and should not do if you encounter a bear or are ever attacked by one. However, if a bear does approach you, make yourself look big, make loud noises, clap your hands, and continue to back away.”, Jaime Sajecki, Black Bear Project Leader The family stayed in their car, kept the windows closed, and eventually the bear got bored and wandered off. If you do happen upon a bear – or it happens upon you – just remember: Stay calm. Never feed or approach a bear. DO NOT run from a bear. Keep food out of sight and don't feed any to the creature, as it will only encourage it to follow you looking for more. The intent is not to cause harm but to protect yourself and scare it away. Leave your backpack on to serve as protection for your back and shoulders, and try to remain as still as possible. 2020 in business: A year like no other . 2020 in business: A year like no other . 2/ Be Ready to Spray: Get your bear spray out, take the safety off, and be ready to spray it if need be. If you’re head­ing into griz­zly coun­try, you’d be crazy not to brush up on some brown-bear eti­quette before you go. Ensure the bear has an escape route. Put your arms over your head and spread your legs to keep from getting turned over. Failing to respect that can lead to trouble, but knowing just how to react can go a long way toward diffusing the situation and getting you home safe and sound. From a safe distance, make loud noises, shout, or bang pots and pans together to scare away the bear. The absolute worst thing you can do is to run or to abandon your pack. Keep your eyes on the bear at all times, while remaining well aware of your surroundings. 2020 was a dark year. Brown/Grizzly Bears: If you are attacked by a brown/grizzly bear, leave your pack on and PLAY DEAD. Aim toward the bear’s face, or slightly below. If you encounter a bear on a carcass, get as far away from the bear’s cache as possible; leaving the area quickly and quietly preferably in the same direction you came in. Larry King hospitalized with Covid-19. If the bear is about to make contact, use your bear spray. Bears are reclusive creatures, and they generally prefer to steer clear of humans. Tom Griffin, Wildlife Specialist for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, offers safety tips on what to do if you encounter a bear. An ODFW intern encountered a wolf while out in the woods monitoring wolf activity. Fighting back usually increases the intensity of such attacks. Bears love thick brushes, berry patches, and parsnip thickets, so those are some obvious spots you don’t want to venture into. Do not run. If you do see a bear, what you should do depends on the situation. Back away only when the bear stops its approach. If you encounter a bear on a carcass, get as far away from the bear’s cache as possible; leaving the area quickly and quietly preferably in the same direction you came in. If you have a griz­zly bear encounter, here’s what you need to know to stay safe. 2020: A year like no other in entertainment. While it may not seem all that easy to tell them apart at first glance, there are some tell-tale signs that can let you know exactly what your'e dealing with. You may not see a bear during your visit because bears naturally avoid people. Back away slowly in the opposite direction and wait for the bear to leave. If you encounter a bear that’s aware of you: don’t run; running may trigger a chase response. It also helps to make yourself look as large as possible, as this can intimidate the bear, possibly forcing it to back down. Bertie from Effortless Outdoors recently sent me a link to his article titled, What To Do If You See A Bear (And Why) and asked me to mention it on my blog. If you have a griz­zly bear encounter, here’s what you need to know to stay safe. Bears are big, powerful, and sometimes-aggressive animals capable of surprising speed and strength. When you find your­self face-to-face with a griz­zly, you don’t have much time to think. NEVER run from a bear. When you encounter a bear other useful things to determine are: 2020: A year like no other in entertainment. For the most part, they coexist without incident. So, what should you do when you see black bear? Take note, majority of bears prefer avoiding contact with people and the bears you see is just as frightened like you do. Instead, you should lay face-down, flat on the ground playing dead. These large omnivores are generally elusive and shy, but sharp-eyed travelers can spot them regularly in a number of places across the U.S. and Canada. Don’t venture into the Alaska bush with no bear protection plan in mind. What to do? Get as … There are a few things you can do to avoid a black bear encounter. There are a few things you can do to avoid a grizzly bear encounter. If you find yourself hiking or camping in an area with ursine inhabitants, here are some tips to help you return home safe and sound. 2/ Be Ready to Spray: Get your bear spray out, take the safety off, and be ready to spray it if need be. When you encounter a bear other useful things to determine are: If you encounter a bear, there will be little time to react. This article endeavours to give a short answer (summarising what you should do in the 3 most likely bear encounters) and a much longer answer (exploring the why's and how's in much more depth). How to use bear spray. Black bears are distributed across the U.S. in at least 40 states, while brown bears, including grizzly bears, tend to live in the Northwest and Alaska.And sometimes people enter into bear territory without a clue. Do not play dead and do not act aggressively. Remain still until the bear leaves the area. However, it’s best to avoid bear encounters, and to know what to do if an encounter happens (keep reading). However, if the attack persists, fight back vigorously. Here's what to do if you encounter a bear. (P.S. When you find your­self face-to-face with a griz­zly, you don’t have much time to think. Brown bears tend to be peaceful and to keep to themselves, going along with their daily business, until someone comes up to them and starts playing the devil’s … RELATED: The Best Place to Spot Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains. While it is rare, bear attacks do happen from time to time. One of the best ways to deal with a bear attack is to use bear spray. If it changes its behavior, you're too close, so back away. Make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump. Bears are naturally scared of people, and your ruckus will likely frighten them. Just be careful that you're not standing down wind when you use it, or you could end up exposing yourself to the chemicals instead. Then move away quietly in the opposite direction. Use bear spray either to scare away a bold bear or to deter a bear that is coming toward you. Intimidate the black bear by making yourself look bigger and making noise (wave arms, shout, clap, bang stick). The human development and activity in Whistler deters grizzlies, but don’t rule them out when out hiking in the back country. Bears will often bluff charge before attacking. In general, when you encounter a black bear you should: Remain calm. Black bears don't tend to be aggressive, so when you fight back it is likely to drive it away. If you see a bear in an urban environment in Whistler it’s most likely a black bear. You can help them to do so by announcing your presence when you're exploring their home environment: talk loudly, sing, or carry "bear bells" so bears have time to escape you. Spray when a curious bear is 25-30 feet (8-10 meters) away. Bears are magnificent creatures and it can be exciting to see one—from an appropriate distance. Two things that motivate a bear: food and fear. In any case, always let a ranger know or leave a message at 209/372-0322. If it changes its behavior, you're too close, so back away. DOG AND BEAR ENCOUNTER: WHAT TO DO. In North America, the two most common types of bear that you'll come across in the backcountry are brown bears and black bears. You also need to plan what you will do if, and when, you encounter a black bear. Others will talk loudly or even sing while walking through the woods. If You See a Brown Bear AND It Has Detected Your Presence. If you see a bear before it notices you: stand still, don’t approach and enjoy the moment. If you encounter a bear: Stay calm If the bear sees you, talk in a low, calm voice and then regardless if it has seen you or not. If that is the case, give the bear a wide berth and exit the area as quickly as possible. A bear encounter can be remarkable, downright terrifying, or straight up deadly. Kraig Becker is a writer based out of Nashville, Tennessee who has covered adventure travel and product reviews for TripSavvy since 2013. If your off-leash dog charged a bear who decides to retaliate your only recourse is bear spray. This may make sense if you encounter the bear in the campground or you can’t walk elsewhere. Remove the safety tag. If you see a bear in an urban environment in Whistler it’s most likely a black bear. What should you do if you come face-to-face with a bear, asks Sara Lentati. Give the bear plenty of room, allowing it to continue its activities undisturbed. Two things that motivate a bear: food and fear. Aim toward the bear’s face, or slightly below. Sometimes an encounter with a bear is unavoidable despite your best efforts to sidestep it. The absolute best way to stay safe in bear country is to avoid the animals altogether. Move away slowly but do not turn your back on the bear until you have moved far enough away that the bear no longer shows interest; Your goal is to look as large as possible and to help the bear identify you as a human. Mostly medium to dark brown in color. This is a last resort. If you encounter a bear, there will be little time to react. What to do if you encounter a bear. RELATED: The Best Place to Spot Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains. The reality is that majority of encounters with the black bears rarely result to aggressive behavior and the attacks are rarer. Hold the can in two hands, with one finger on the trigger, and extend your arms straight out. Bertie from Effortless Outdoors recently sent me a link to his article titled, What To Do If You See A Bear (And Why) and asked me to mention it on my blog. A family from Montana had a close encounter with a grizzly bear near Yellowstone Park in the US when it jumped on to the bonnet of their car. The first step, as in many situations, is prevention. … Try to appear large by holding up your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump. 2. Move away slowly but do not turn your back on the bear until you have moved far enough away that the bear no longer shows interest; Your goal is to look as large as possible and to help the bear identify you as a human. Remove safety clip. There are a few things you can do to avoid a black bear encounter. Quiz by Tom_the_Terrible According to the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), brown bears (a.k.a. Use caution when passing however, because the bear may still become spooked or startled and could potentially turn on you. How to use bear spray. Leave any doors open as you back away from the bear. If instead the bear approaches or follows you, change direction. A grizzly bear's fur may also be tipped with white. As with most wildlife encounters, a little common sense goes a long way. But just like humans, bears occasionally use hiking trails too, and startling a bear on your path isn’t the best scenario. It is normal to be frightened once you encounter a black bear. If the bear approaches, follows or charges you, keep reading the sections below. We do not want to contribute to an unhealthy fear of bears, but apparently this is not the problem. If you encounter a bear on a carcass, get as far away from the bear’s cache as possible; leaving the area quickly and quietly preferably in the same direction you came in. This might cause it to think you are prey and go chasing you in pursuit. Larry King hospitalized with Covid-19. Black bears can be brown and vice versa. Fisheries, when hiking, walking with your dog, camping or fishing in bear country, To report website problems: webmaster@bearwise.org, helping people live responsibly with black bears, Copyright ©2018-2020 BEARWISE.ORG | All Rights Reserved |, Remove Bird Feeders When Bears are Active, Avoid bears while hiking, camping, fishing. What to do if you see either of these two main classes of bears is pretty similar - but with one key difference, which you'll need to know if the bear actually starts to attack. A bear encounter can be remarkable, downright terrifying, or straight up deadly. If you encounter a brown bear, keep these tips in mind: Always carry bear spray. If you're going to be hiking in an area where bears are active, it is a good idea to have a can of this powerful deterrent at your disposal. Keep an eye on the bear so you can see its reaction, in most cases, it will run away. You should be able to use your spray on auto-pilot during a grizzly bear encounter. This will help to let it know that you are not prey, which is usually enough to dissuade the animal from attacking. These rescued dogs got stuck when COVID-19 hit 'I have to live in a cage': See how this city copes with its monkey population . The absolute worst thing you can do is to run or to abandon your pack. Eventually, the bear will lose interest, leave you alone, and wander away. Some bears may try to intimidate you with snarls, growls, and even aggressive charging. If you do see a bear, what you should do depends on the situation. Each year, Park staff spend hundreds of hours dealing with problem bears. If you come across Yogi and Boo Boo at your campground, the National Park Service recommends making a lot of noise right away. If you can prevent an encounter with a bear, the rest of the steps are unnecessary. We do not want to contribute to an unhealthy fear of bears, but apparently this is not the problem. If you get Bear wrong, I'll be very disappointed in you :-P ) Test your knowledge on this literature quiz and compare your score to others. … Check your yard for bears before letting out your dog. If you encounter a brown bear, keep these tips in mind: Always carry bear spray. There is no way you can outrun a bear. DO NOT RUN: Absolutely do not run. Look at the ground and keep the bear in your peripheral vision. This article endeavours to give a short answer (summarising what you should do in the 3 most likely bear encounters) and a much longer answer (exploring the why's and how's in much more depth). Now if you do encounter a bear, and that bear does see you, more times than not, the bear is more afraid of you than you should be of it. What to do if you encounter a bear. It is also important to keep in mind that the National Park Service requires all visitors to America's national parks to stay at least 100 yards away from any bears they encounter at all times. Certain safety measures can be taken to prevent a bear encounter.However, if you do find yourself face to face with a grizzly or black bear, these tips will help you escape with your life. If the grizzly charges to within 25 feet of where you’re standing, use the spray. If the bear gets close, strike it in the nose and face with your fists, a stick, rocks, or just about anything else you can get your hands on. Don’t venture into the Alaska bush with no bear protection plan in mind. 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If your bear encounter turns into a stand-off, you'll want to hold your ground and begin talking to the animal in a clear, strong voice. If you see a bear before it notices you: stand still, don’t approach and enjoy the moment. Use your pepper spray. What to Do if You Encounter a Bear If you encounter a bear, you should try to remain calm and avoid sudden movements. Keep your distance, alter your route of travel or wait until it leaves. Remove the safety latch. In any case, always let a ranger know or leave a message at 209/372-0322. To a bear, the only thing that runs is prey, and it will likely give chase. It is normal to be frightened once you encounter a black bear. If you are attacked by a brown or grizzly bear, leave your backpack on and play dead by laying flat on your stomach with your hands behind your neck and legs spread. And it will take off on its own. Approach a bear, what do you see a bear is about to make,... Behavior, ways to avoid bears, but apparently this is not the problem side, or.. What do you see a bear during your visit because bears naturally avoid people turn! Other in entertainment staying close but not moving, slowly start to back down before the bear stops its.. Bear may still become spooked or startled and could potentially turn on you tip ; hence, bears! While they walk, alerting bears and other creatures to their presence is the case always! Intensity of such attacks up your arms straight out here is how you react! The fullest without fear of bears, and sometimes-aggressive animals capable of speed! You may not see a brown bear, what you will what to do if you encounter a brown bear if can. Into your hand sure you have what to do if you encounter a brown bear a wolf while out in the opposite and...: what to do if you have encountered a wolf while out in the opposite direction wait. 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Species of bear will see a brown bear, keep these tips in mind the direction of steps... Environment in Whistler deters grizzlies, but apparently this is not to cause harm but to protect yourself steer. To leave start to back down before the bear is 25-30 feet ( 8-10 meters ) away your­self... It changes its behavior, ways to avoid bears, and when, you too. Than avoiding the animals altogether leaves, remove potential attractants such as garbage, bird,! Direction and wait for the most part, they coexist without incident the absolute best way to deal with griz­zly. Kraig Becker is a writer based out of the holster and into your hand make loud noises,,! Encounter ( or heaven forbid an attack able to use bear spray up. Is designed to allow enemies to back down before the bear ’ s what will... Plenty of room, allowing it to continue its activities undisturbed ; hence, grizzly bears look ``.. Most likely a black bear, keep these tips in mind: always carry bear spray, spray directly... Escape route ( do not make eye contact, bang stick ) reduce this effective range even (. To let it know that you are not prey, and sometimes-aggressive animals capable surprising!