What to Do If You Run Into a Bear

In recent years, bears’ natural habitats have increasingly been at risk due to human activity, meaning they’re coming in contact with us more often. Some bears are small, but others can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. These animals can run surprisingly fast and attack when they feel threatened. We’ve prepared a few tips on how to react if you ever face one of these furry friends.

1. Avoid running into the bear.

Prevention is the first step that you can take. Here are a few tips on how to avoid running into them and how to spot them from afar:

• Walk on marked paths. Avoid closed trails because they are intentionally marked to protect visitors.
• Do not bring your pets. An unleashed dog, for example, can increase the chance of running into a bear.
• Do not give the bear access to your food. Bears that taste human food can get aggressive toward people, encouraging them to get closer to the campsites in search of food, leading to unpredictable behavior.
• Travel in larger groups. Bears will be aware of human presence from a greater distance, as groups are usually loud. They will likely avoid contact with the group since it appears bigger.

• Never approach the bear. Many national parks have distance regulations based on how the terrain is and what species of bears live there.
• Respect the animal and its space. Don’t get near them; use binoculars and spotting scopes to look at them from a distance.
• Do not get near a baby cub. If you see a baby bear, do not try to help it or feed it. The mother is nearby and will likely attack you to protect the baby.
• Minimize the noise and the movement in a group. If you do, however, see a bear and are in a group, stay close to each other and don’t make a lot of noise or quick movements.

Note: Different parks have different regulations regarding food storage. Some require food lockers, bear-resistant containers, or food bags you can hang on a tree. Check the park regulations and safety codes before you bring your food with you.

2. Stay calm.

If you run into a bear, staying calm is crucial. Remember that bear attacks are rare; these animals like to live in solitude, meaning they want to be left alone. Try to remain undisturbed, even if the animal starts to woof, yawn, salivate, growl, snap its jaw, or lay its ears back. It’s a defensive reaction; in this situation, you can talk in a low, calm tone, which will help you stay still and appear non-threatening to the bear.

✋Never try to outrun a bear or climb a tree, which can trigger a predatory reaction from the bear. Bears can run more than 35 mph (60 km), which is twice as fast as humans. Also, don’t attempt to imitate a howling sound, scream, or make sudden movements, as they can trigger an attack.

3. Identify yourself.

Show the bear that you are a human and not prey. You can stay calm, stand your ground, and slowly wave your arms. Pay attention to its behavior — is the bear slowly approaching and looking at you, smelling you while standing on its back legs? Many people think this is in preparation for an attack, but they’re not threatening, they’re just curious and investigating.

✋ If there are any children or pets present, pick them up immediately, but again, slowly.

Make yourself appear bigger by slowly spreading your arms and legs or moving to higher ground. Animals can perceive this as a sign that you are not prey.

4. Back away slowly.

Lastly, if the bear is not moving, you can move away slowly, going sideways. Bears do not perceive moving sideways as a threatening act. Keep an eye on the bear as you are backing up, but if you see that the bear is starting to move toward you, stop and stay grounded again. Also, be careful not to trip over something and fall while moving.

Try to leave the area, but if that isn’t possible, wait for the bear to go. Also, ensure that the bear can escape from you and check that you are not blocking any route where it can move away.

Bonus: Some more things to keep in mind

Although bear attacks aren’t all that frequent, you must always be cautious and well-informed. Remember that brown and black bear attacks are different things.

• If you ever find yourself attacked by a brown or grizzly bear (with cubs), get rid of your backpack and play dead with your hands clutched at the back of your neck while lying flat on your stomach. Ensure to spread your legs to prevent the bear from turning you over. Wait and keep still and make sure the bear goes away. If the attack gets worse, fight back if it keeps attacking you.
• In the case of a black bear attack, fight back for your life. Period. Don’t play dead. Find a shelter, like a car or a building. If you can’t run away and don’t have pepper spray, find an object and fight back. Remember that black bears are good climbers, so don’t try climbing a tree.

How about you? Have you ever bumped into any bears in your life? What did you do? Please comment below!

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