Understanding what bears avoid is key to safely navigating bear country. Knowledge of their aversions helps prevent encounters and guides actions if one occurs. This ensures human safety and minimizes conflicts with bear populations.
What Bears Dislike Through Their Senses
Bears possess a highly developed sense of smell, vastly superior to humans. Certain strong odors can be unpleasant or alarming to them. Chemical scents like ammonia and bleach are known to be aversive. Pine-based cleaners may also have a similar deterring effect. Bear spray, which contains oleoresin capsicum, acts as a powerful irritant, causing temporary discomfort to the eyes and respiratory system.
Loud and unfamiliar noises can deter bears. Consistently talking, singing, or periodically shouting “Hey bear!” in their habitat signals human presence, encouraging them to move away. Air horns are particularly effective due to their startling volume. However, high-pitched screams or sudden, sharp noises might be misinterpreted as prey sounds, potentially attracting rather than deterring.
Bears have keen night vision but are generally indifferent to static light sources. Motion-activated lights might initially startle a bear, but they can quickly habituate, rendering them less effective over time. Bright, sudden flashes, such as from a flashlight, are not reliable deterrents and could confuse or provoke certain bears, depending on their prior experiences.
Behaviors and Situations Bears Avoid
Bears are typically shy and prefer to avoid human contact. They often detect people from a distance and move away to maintain their solitude. Traveling in groups and making consistent noise helps ensure bears are aware of human presence, allowing them sufficient time to retreat. This proactive approach reduces the likelihood of a surprise encounter, a common trigger for defensive behavior.
Bears generally prefer to avoid direct confrontation. When a bear exhibits defensive behaviors like huffing, jaw-clacking, or swatting the ground, it often indicates they feel threatened or surprised, such as a mother protecting cubs or an animal guarding a food source. These actions are usually an attempt to encourage humans to leave, rather than an intent to attack. Bears are also less likely to frequent areas where natural food sources are scarce or human activity is consistently high.
The absence of easily accessible food rewards makes an area unappealing to bears. Bears are highly motivated by food, including human garbage, pet food, and scented toiletries. Proper food storage in bear-resistant containers, hanging food out of reach, and diligently cleaning up all attractants prevents bears from associating human presence with readily available meals. When human areas offer no food rewards, bears are less likely to linger or return.
Actions to Take During a Bear Encounter
If a bear is encountered, remain calm and avoid running, as it can trigger a chase response. Identify yourself by speaking calmly in a low voice, helping the bear recognize you as human, not a prey animal. Slowly waving your arms can also help you appear larger and more recognizable.
Making yourself appear as large as possible can encourage a bear to leave. This involves standing tall, raising your arms, or standing on higher ground if available. Making loud, assertive noises, such as shouting “Hey bear!”, can effectively deter black bears by signaling that you are not prey and pose a potential threat. Slowly backing away while facing the bear and avoiding direct eye contact allows for a strategic retreat without appearing aggressive.
Bear spray serves as an effective last-resort deterrent for aggressive or charging bears. This product contains capsaicin, which irritates the bear’s eyes and respiratory system, causing temporary incapacitation. It should be carried in an easily accessible location, like a chest or hip holster, and individuals should know how to deploy it. When deploying, aim slightly downward towards the bear’s face, creating a cloud of spray the bear will run into, and continue spraying until the bear changes direction.