There are three species in North America: the black bear, brown bear and polar bear. An Alaskan brown bear standing and growling: don’t run. Leave your damn earbuds in the car and be alert to every sound and movement. 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 Predatory Encounters. But if the bear doesn’t immediately charged at you (which would be unlikely), it’s really important to try to diffuse the situation by showing you are not a threat. FIGHT BACK with anything at hand (knife, sticks, rocks, binoculars, backpack or by kicking). Intimidate the black bear by making yourself look bigger and making noise (wave arms, shout, clap, bang stick). Since the bear is hunting you as prey, you must be prepared for an imminent attack. Back away only when the bear stops its approach. There’s no better way to prevent an unpleasant encounter with a black bear than avoiding the animals altogether.. Bears usually avoid humans, too, often leaving the scene even before a person realizes a bear was around. Bears love thick brushes, berry patches, and parsnip thickets, so those are some obvious spots you don’t want to venture into. So the first step in surviving a bear encounter is to know what kind you’re up against. A hair-raising video shows the moment a 12-year-old boy had a close encounter with a brown bear and dealt with the situation perfectly: Aside from staying calm, there are a few other things you need to do (and some you shouldn’t) to ensure neither you or the bear … The reality is that majority of encounters with the black bears rarely result to aggressive behavior and the attacks are rarer. If statistics cannot assuage our primeval fear, perhaps knowledge can. Sing loudly. My biggest piece of advice is to have a plan and know what to do! Unfortunately, hiking quietly endangers you. If you encounter a brown bear, keep these tips in mind: Always carry bear spray. Weighing in at 200-500lbs, black bears can be white, blond, cinnamon, chocolate or jet black. If you come into contact with a bear, it’s important to know what you’re dealing with. When you find your­self face-to-face with a griz­zly, you don’t have much time to think. 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. 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. The fact of the matter is running into the continent’s largest predator is unlikely. Lay flat on your... Black Bears: If you are attacked by a black bear, DO NOT PLAY DEAD. A Close Encounter. 2020 in business: A year like no other . Give it space You may not see a bear during your visit because bears naturally avoid people. This is very different to being aggressive. Otherwise, there's a risk of him mistaking you for a threat. Do NOT run. RELATED: The Best Place to Spot Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains. Call out and clap your hands frequently. Take Yellowstone national park for example, a perfect grizzly bear habitat. Then move away quietly in the opposite direction. The bottom line if you encounter a bear in the woods: respect the bear’s intelligence and strength, but don’t fear the animal. You also need to plan what you will do if, and when, you encounter a black bear. If the bear approaches, follows or charges you, keep reading the sections below. As of 2016, more than 11 million people and 1,600 black bears share the park each year. If you have a griz­zly bear encounter, here’s what you need to know to stay safe. But just like humans, bears occasionally use hiking trails too, and startling a bear on your path isn’t the best scenario. If you are camping, you will want bear-proof food containers, and if you plan to camp in an area with a high concentration of bears, you might consider purchasing a portable electric fence. In any case, always let a ranger know or leave a message at 209/372-0322. According to research by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, of those who defended themselves against a bear attack with a weapon, 50% sustained serious injuries – compared to very few injuries incurred by those defending themselves with bear spray. If you are in a developed area (e.g., campground, parking lot, lodging area) or if a bear approaches you, act immediately to scare it away: make as much noise as possible by yelling very loudly (don't worry about waking people up if it's nighttime). If the bear charges, aim the nozzle of the spray just above the bear’s head and give a sustained blast. A “predatory” bear is one that continues to follow you, such as by disappearing and reappearing. In its 145-year history, with over 120 million visitors, only eight people have been killed by bears. If you encounter a brown bear, keep these tips in mind: Always carry bear spray. What to do if you encounter a bear. Brown bears are divided into two categories: brown bears and grizzlies. Do not run. If you happen on a bear and it’s less than 100 yards away, both of you are likely to be somewhat surprised. Never run away from a bear—back away slowly and make lots of noise. 2020: A year like no other in entertainment. If you do see a bear, what you should do depends on the situation. In very rare cases, a brown bear may take you as prey. What to do if you encounter a bear. 2020 in business: A year like no other . Ready your bear spray by removing the safety lock. What to do if You Encounter a Bear in the Wilderness. The one and only way to guarantee you will avoid a bear encounter is to stay out of areas where bears live. Avoid direct eye contact. In almost every case, the bear will turn its tail and run. Never approach the bear. Do not use your pepper spray unless the bear is within twenty-five feet. If you see a bear before it notices you: stand still, don’t approach and enjoy the moment. Indeed, you are more likely to be murdered in your own bed in America than you are to be killed by a grizzly while camping in Yellowstone. “Bear spray is the most effective deterrent in bear encounters.” Herrero, 76, explains that when a 500lb beast is charging you at 30 mph, a bullet is very small and can easily miss or injure rather than stop a bear. Keep in mind that color and size are not reliable sole… 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. 2020: A year like no other in entertainment. 2020 was a dark year. If you encounter a bear that’s curious or stalks you like a predator, be ready to fight. The first step, as in many situations, is prevention. Don’t approach a bear – just quietly move away and leave the area. Lastly, make lots of noise to encourage it to leave. What to do if you encounter a bear. According to the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), brown bears (a.k.a. Beware of blind corners and loud streams where a bear may not see or hear you. Never run from a surprised bear because it can cause a predatory reaction from the bear. Bears are magnificent creatures and it can be exciting to see one—from an appropriate distance. ), “Bear spray is not a substitute for common sense and being cautious – looking around, making noise, avoiding dense bushes and berry patches – but it needs to be with you, always on your belt not inside your pack, whenever you’re hiking in bear country.”. Leave any doors open as you back away from the bear. The best way to deal with a bear encounter (or heaven forbid an attack) is to never have one. The best way to handle a bear encounter is never to have one. Carry Bear Spray. If you make eye contact, black bears will take this as an act of aggression. Remain calm and do not run. Once you see a bear, even if it hasn’t spotted you, get out your bear spray and remove the safety . https://www.prevention.com/life/a32670093/boy-escapes-brown-bear-viral-video Larry King hospitalized with Covid-19. It may also lunge toward you in a bluff charge. While this is a rare situation, and generally refers to predatory attacks by black bears, this can be a very serious encounter. Contact biologists and ask what information you can download about the bears you might encounter, and inquire into methods you can use to protect yourself. You’re acting just like prey. Unless you’re hiking above the Arctic Circle, you’ll likely only meet one of the first two. On the other hand, bear spray has a 20ft spread at a 25ft range. How you handle a bear attack depends on the type of bear you come across: grizzly or black. If you encounter a grizzly, do not run. Can you match the color to the appropriate animal from 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?' Check your yard for bears before letting out your dog. The bear may circle you, slowly moving in closer and closer until it decides whether to attack or not. Virginia Department of Game and Inland. And yet our fear of America’s largest predator prevails (images of Leonardo DiCaprio being ripped apart in Alejandro Iñárritu’s The Revenant are hard to forget). Try to appear large by holding up your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump. Color: Medium to dark brown. Make noise. If the bear is about to make contact, use your bear spray. The good news? It is normal to be frightened once you encounter a black bear. Don't take the risk otherwise you'll have your whole body shredded apart. Again, this is very rare but you should still know what to do. 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. If the bear charges, stand your ground (you cannot outrun it). Do not try to get closer to take a picture! However, it’s best to avoid bear encounters, and to know what to do if an encounter happens (keep reading). If a bear approaches, move away slowly; do not run. 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. “Know what to do when you see a bear. A defensive confrontation almost always happens during a surprise grizzly bear encounter. Grizzly Bear Dossier. If it is a black bear, gather together, stand tall and make lots of noise. If you do everything right and you still run into one .... Do not try to get closer to take a picture! Take note, majority of bears prefer avoiding contact with people and the bears you see is just as frightened like you do. Take note, majority of bears prefer avoiding contact with people and the bears you see is just as frightened like you do. Get your bear spray out of the holster and into your hand. Brown/Grizzly Bears: If you are attacked by a brown/grizzly bear, leave your pack on and PLAY DEAD. Bear encounters might make you want to freak out and panic, but the best thing you can do is to stay as calm as possible because freaking out might just make things worse. You’re more likely to die from a tick bite or a bee sting than to you are to be killed by a grizzly bear in Yellowstone park, but here are a few tips just in case, Last modified on Wed 14 Feb 2018 17.21 GMT. If you are attacked by a black bear, try to fight back using any object available. If you encounter a black bear, do not make eye contact. Do not play dead and do not act aggressively. Knowing your bear has some bearing on how to approach an attack. Back away only when the bear stops its approach. Do not try to climb a tree. If you encounter a bear that’s aware of you: don’t run; running may trigger a chase response. Walk away slowly, if the bear is not approaching. NEVER run from a bear. Pictured, a (very angry) brown bear. Back up slowly Never turn your back on a bear, or run. Here are five ways to avoid doing so. Properly position the bear spray in your hand. Body Shape: Has distinct shoulder hump. If You See A Bear. Fortunately, most of these encounters will be uneventful. An agitated grizzly may pop its jaws and pound the ground with its paws. Many are largely vegetarian. Do not run. In two studies published in 2008 and 2012 by bear researchers Tom Smith, a professor at BYU, and Stephen Herrero, professor emeritus at the University of Calgary and author of Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance, the profound efficacy of bear spray versus weapons has been proven beyond a doubt. The reality is that majority of encounters with the black bears rarely result to aggressive behavior and the attacks are rarer. When the bear leaves, remove potential attractants such as garbage, bird seed, or pet food. Stand … Do not stare The bear will see a direct stare as a challenge. Act aggressively and intimidate the bear by yelling and waving your arms. Of the estimated 32,000 bruins, only a couple thousand inhabit Yellowstone and Glacier, the rest are in Canada and Alaska. Inevitably, if you are hiking in bear country, at some point you will encounter a bear or at least see one from a distance. There are three species in North America: the black bear, brown bear and polar bear. Back away slowly in the opposite direction and wait for the bear to leave. If the bear is about to make contact, use your bear spray. In this trigger-happy society where there are over 300m guns – one for every man, woman and child – the most common myth is that you can protect yourself from a bear with a gun. Survive an Attack. Although they come in the same variety of colors as black bears, grizzlies/brown bears are easily distinguished from black bears by their greater size, large hump at the shoulders and massive head. Get as far away from the food cache as possible. You can do this by giving the ... Stay Calm! (P.S. It is normal to be frightened once you encounter a black bear. 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. Griz­zly 411 Griz­zly bears are beau­ti­ful, pow­er­ful crea­tures that typ­i­cal­ly do their best to avoid bump­ing into peo­ple. Stop and remain calm. If you are with other people, stand together to pres… Black bears rarely become aggressive when encountered. There are a few things you can do to avoid a black bear encounter. But here’s what to do if you run into a yogi in the wild. Give the bear a clear escape route (do not corner it). Stand your ground and talk to the grizzly bear in a low, monotone voice, allowing it to identify you as human. The absolute best way to stay safe in bear country is to avoid the animals altogether. A heart-stopping video shows the moment a 12-year-old boy had an all too close encounter with a bear in the Brenta Dolomites. If it’s a grizzly, remain still and calm. … Intimidate the black bear by making yourself look bigger and making noise (wave arms, shout, clap, bang stick). Get as … You never know when you’ll need this information. You cannot outrun or out climb a bear. Potential attractants such as by disappearing and reappearing is very rare but you should depends. It decides whether to attack or not because they love hiking, biking, hunting camping... Monotone voice, allowing it to identify you as prey in any case, Always let ranger. Encounter is never to have one it is normal to be frightened once you encounter brown... 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