With summer fast approaching, millions of Americans are preparing and packing their gear for outdoor adventures of epic proportions. But here is something you might not be ready for: what to do if you see a bear while hiking!
Even though you’re more likely to die from a bee sting than being killed by a bear in Yellowstone, there’s still a chance that you might encounter, so here’s what to do if you run into Yogi in the wild!
In this guide we will look at what to do if you come face to face with a black bear or a grizzly, and the best way to defend yourself should the worst happen.
We will also look at bear sprays and guns and which is the most effective should you find yourself in the worst-case scenario (although you may have already guessed!)
Avoiding an encounter is your safest bet
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. 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 get injured!
The best way to deal with a bear encounter (or heaven forbid an attack) is to never have one. Bears love thick brushes, berry patches, and parsnip thickets, so those are some obvious spots you don’t want to venture into.
But just like humans, bears occasionally use hiking trails too, and startling a bear on your path isn’t the best scenario. You need to stay as alert as possible and pay attention to every sound and movement around you.
You also want to hike in groups, because sadly, hiking El Solo Lobo just endangers you. If you have to go at it alone, make sure you regularly clap your hands and make enough noise to let others (ahem…bears) know you’re around.
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.
What to do if you encounter a bear
The US National Park Service advises hikers and campers that encounter bears to stay still and wave their arms above their heads. Keep your voice calm and low-toned and never try to intimidate the bear.
Even though your gut might be telling you to run for your life, it’s actually the worst thing you can do if you see a bear while hiking. Why? Because the bear’s predatory instinct will kick in and he’ll chase you.
Bears typically “bluff charge” before deciding whether or not to actually attack. The bear might lift its head in an attempt to appear larger and might even bound towards you with its front paws but will stop or veer off to the side before attacking.
Again, running away might cause the bear to attack, so the best thing to do is to just stand your ground, wave your arms, and try to convince the bear that you are not a threat. If the bear stops or retreats, step away slowly, never turning your back on the animal, until you’re a safe distance away.
Bears can also charge aggressively, but this generally only happens when the bear feels stressed or like it needs to attack to protect itself or its young. Signs that a bear is about to attack aggressively include displaying a wide-open mouth or snapping of the teeth.
The bear might also have its head and ears pointed down during an aggressive attack. If you’ve got bear spray on you, this would be a good time to reach for it. If the bear seems aggressive, you need to know which kind of bear you’re dealing with so you know what to do next since grizzlies and black bears respond differently to human behavior.
What to do if you see a black bear
Black bears have much larger ears than grizzly bears and do not have the same hump at the base of their necks that grizzly bears have. If you’re dealing with a black bear, fighting back might be your best option.
In general, black bears are more chilled out and less likely to charge aggressively, but if they do, chances are, they’re charging with the intention to hurt you. Black bears will only attack if they’re feeling cornered or particularly ticked off, and if this happens, you need to fight back with all your might, aiming for the eyes and nose.
Even though you’ll need to fight back, you also need to make sure that the bear has an escape route because cornering it might just make things worse. Grab any tools you have on hand and aim for direct blows to the bear’s face until it gives up.
What to do if you see a grizzly bear
If you’re being attacked by a grizzly bear, playing dead might just help you