Spending time in bear country requires understanding bear behavior and implementing safety measures. Awareness and preparation are key to coexisting safely and minimizing unexpected encounters.
Preventing Bear Presence
Minimizing attractants prevents bears from frequenting an area. Proper food storage is crucial: use bear-resistant containers or hang food at least 10 to 12 feet off the ground and at least 4 to 6 feet from the tree trunk. All food, garbage, and scented items must be stored securely and away from sleeping areas, ideally 200 to 300 feet away from tents, especially in grizzly country. Never leave food unattended, as bears have a keen sense of smell and can detect food from a distance.
Effective waste management includes packing out all trash and securing garbage cans with bear-resistant latches if living in or visiting bear country. Around homes, attractants like bird feeders, pet food, fruit from trees, and BBQ grills can draw bears. Cleaning grills after use and feeding pets indoors reduces these temptations.
When selecting a campsite, choose locations away from animal trails and natural food sources like berry patches or streams. Look for bear signs such as tracks, scat (droppings), and claw marks on trees. Fresh signs indicate recent bear activity.
Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising a bear, allowing them to move away before an encounter. Talking, yelling, or clapping hands periodically, especially in dense vegetation or around blind corners, is more effective than bear bells, which bears may not hear until too close. Keep pets on a leash and under control; off-leash dogs can provoke bears and lead them back to their owners.
Employing Defensive Tools
Carrying appropriate defensive tools provides options if a bear approaches. Bear spray is a deterrent, not a repellent, designed to stop an aggressive or charging bear. It contains capsaicin, a powerful irritant, and is significantly stronger than personal pepper spray.
Bear spray typically has a range of 20 to 40 feet. To use it effectively, the canister should be readily accessible, with the safety clip removed, and aimed slightly downward at the bear’s face or chest to create an expanding cloud. While effective even in cold or windy conditions, strong headwinds can reduce its range.
Air horns or other noisemakers can startle bears from a distance, potentially causing them to flee. These devices produce loud sounds, audible from afar. Useful for initial deterrence, air horns should be used in conjunction with other safety practices.
Electric fences offer another layer of protection, particularly for securing campsites or food storage. These portable fences deliver a non-harmful electric shock that can dissuade curious bears from entering a protected perimeter.
Actions During an Encounter
If an encounter occurs, remain calm. Identify the bear species if possible, as responses can differ. Black bears are generally less aggressive and often retreat, while grizzly bears may be more defensive. Never run from a bear, as this can trigger a chase response; bears can run very fast.
For black bears, stand your ground, make yourself appear as large as possible by waving your arms, and make noise by yelling in a firm voice. If a black bear approaches or attacks, fight back vigorously using any available object. Do not play dead with a black bear.
In contrast, if encountering a grizzly or brown bear, avoid direct eye contact and speak softly while slowly backing away. If a grizzly charges defensively, often as a bluff, stand your ground.
If a defensive charge turns into an attack, play dead by lying flat on your stomach, clasping your hands behind your neck, and spreading your legs to prevent the bear from rolling you over. Remain still until the bear leaves the area. If the attack persists, or if a bear is acting predatorily (stalking you), fight back. Never approach a bear, especially a mother with cubs, as this can lead to a defensive charge.