Bears are one of nature's most amazing animals, and encountering them in the wild is an unforgettable experience. However, if you get too close, the experience can be scary rather than memorable. Fortunately, although humans often invade “land of bears”, attacks and deaths are rare. However, bears are still powerful and ferocious wild animals, so any encounter with them can be dangerous. Do you know what to do if you come face-to-face with them? Bear? Read this article so you can climb the mountain safely.
Step
Step 1. Avoid close encounters
If you can prevent encounters with bears, you don't need to read this article. Bears are actually reclusive creatures, and generally prefer to stay away from humans. You can help him escape by announcing your whereabouts as he explores his home environment: by talking aloud, singing, or carrying a "bear bell" to give him time to escape. Study the bear's behavior to determine which "sound" method is right for you, as professionals have different views on the effectiveness of sound. Make sure you heed the advice of local bear authorities and store food with proper technique when camping. Also, try hiking in an open area so the bears can see you (or vice versa) from a distance. Leave the dog at home or keep the dog on a leash. If you see bear tracks, re-route and leave the area. Don't surprise the bear.
Step 2. Keep a safe distance
If you see a bear from a distance (more than 900 m), leave the area. If you need to continue your journey, rearrange your route so you don't see the bear. If he doesn't see you, don't bother him: run away quietly and slowly, then make a loud noise when you're away from him so you don't see each other again. If he sees you, start talking quietly and quietly (you can say anything) and walk away slowly. Keep an eye on the bear but avoid direct eye contact. Your goal here is to convey the message that you are human (and can defend yourself and not be afraid), but that you are harmless and will leave their territory.
Step 3. Stand up straight, even if a bear approaches you
If he sees you and is closer than 900 meters, or if he approaches you, stay calm and try to look as big as possible. Stay in position and don't look scared. Try to back away slowly – don't run – and speak slowly. If the bear continues to approach as you move away, stop and hold your position. Speak in a deep calm voice, and swing your arms to make yourself appear bigger. Watch the bear but avoid direct eye contact, as he can interpret it as a challenge. Don't act aggressively, but don't crouch down and play dead or show fear/vulnerability either. If a bear runs up to you, muster up your courage and stay still: this lunge is most likely a bluff, and if you don't sway it, it will turn around.
Step 4. Identify the type of bear
The steps you take to survive when you encounter a bear will depend on its breed. For example, in North America, there are three types of bears: brown bears, black bears, and polar bears. Polar bears are of course easy to spot, and their territory is limited to the South. Grizzly bears and black bears are indistinguishable by color alone. Grizzly bears can weigh up to and more than 360 kg, and have a hump on the shoulder and a protrusion that is lower than the shoulder. Black bears are usually smaller (up to only weighing about 150 kg) and have a protrusion that is higher than or approximately equal to the position of the shoulders. When you look at the tracks, the grizzly bear has claw marks that separate from the soles of its paws, while in the black bear these two things are close together.
Step 5. Understand the bear's motivations
An understanding of the bear's psychological state can be very useful – your response to an attack should be shaped by the bear's motivations. First of all, if a bear appears to be stalking you (for example, it appears repeatedly and then disappears), or attacks at night, it may perceive you as food, so its attacks will be predatory. If you surprise a bear on a hiking trail, or if it has cubs, or if it is eating or protecting the carcass of another animal, the bear will likely act to defend itself.
Step 6. Respond appropriately based on the situation:
- If a grizzly or polar bear attacks with no intention of preying: pretend to be dead. If a bear (other than a black bear) attacks in self-defense, you can comfort him (and possibly save yourself) by playing dead: lie down really close to the ground. Do this only after the bear makes contact with you or tries to do so (in the past, bear experts suggested lying in the fetal position, but scientists have shown that this only makes it easier for bears to turn the human body). To pretend to be dead, lie face down to protect vital body parts from the ground. Place your arms crossed behind your neck to protect it. Bring your feet together and don't strain. After the bear leaves you, wait a few minutes before trying to take a careful look to see if it's still nearby. The bear may look back and come back when you move.
- If the bear throws a predatory attack or you are attacked by a black bear: fight back. Fight black bear attacks or other attacks aimed at eliminating you. If the bear is a black bear, or you determine that it sees you as food (this is rare and more common in black bears than polar bears and grizzlies), your only chance of escape is to fight or scare it. Hit the bear with a rock, pot, frying pan, stick or fist – whatever works. You may look like you're going to lose, but bears don't usually think of humans as prey, and bears that attack for prey are usually immature, starving, or injured, and can be easily frightened by being hit.
Step 7. Consider last-second blurring techniques:
- Climb trees only when the situation is right. Black bears are skilled climbers, so you can't escape them easily. Grizzly bears can also climb quite a bit, reaching a height of up to 3.6 meters from the ground. Consider climbing a tree only if you encounter a grizzly bear and believe you can do it (at least 4.5 meters high, but preferably 9 meters) on a sturdy tree before the bear reaches your location. Bears are very fast (black bears and grizzlies can run as fast as horses, at about 50 km/h), so don't try to race the bears to reach the trees – you'll lose. This method is usually only useful if you are actually next to a tree and are a good climber.
- Escape in a sideways motion when the bear gets closer (under 2.4 meters away). Bears and other four-legged animals have a wider point of gravity, making turns more difficult than humans. However, don't run around in circles. If you run into a bear in an open area (plain or field), don't immediately run straight to escape it. Move right and left as needed for the bear to change direction. Don't overdo this as it will drain the bear's strength.
Tips
- Whenever you go out into the woods, make sure people know where you're going and take a cell phone with you.
- If possible, walk in the direction of the wind – this means your back is blowing. This way, your scent will alert the bear to the presence of humans.
- If you have a gun, use it to protect yourself (if necessary) and only when you are in real danger – not to bluff. When cornered, fire this gun if you know how. To shoot a bear, wait until it is close (maximum at a distance of 9-12 m) and aim it at the lower neck or head. If a bear is injured or dies, make sure you report the matter to the proper authorities.
- In Canada, Parks Canada advises leaving dogs at home. A barking dog is likely to anger the bear. Plus, if your dog encounters a bear, it's likely to run back to you for help – while the bear is chasing you!
- Anti-bear sprays are usually more effective and quicker to get rid of bears. Whenever possible, choose this spray over a gun. This spray is made from pepper and is stored in a specially designed container, and has proven to be very effective. However, you can only use it when the bear is close (approximately 4, 5-6 m). However, be careful. Bears in some areas have become so used to this spray that they can turn their heads. In most cases, you only have one chance, so make the most of it. One way to deal with this is by spraying it in small, quick sprays. If the bear turns its head to avoid the spray, at least your efforts won't be in vain.
- While a bear standing on its hind legs looks very intimidating, it's really just a show of curiosity. He just wants to take a closer look at you.
- Keep food in a backpack. When you see a bear near you, slowly open the backpack and toss it near the bear. His attention will be distracted by the smell of food and he will start playing with the backpack. That way, you can escape.
- If you get too close to the bear, move away slowly while speaking in a calm voice.
- When the bear is hibernating, don't wake it or it will attack you!
- If you have to play dead and wear a large backpack, it can help protect your vital areas. Lie on your stomach with your hands together behind your neck. Use your calves and elbows to try to prevent the bear from turning you around, but don't strain. If you look dead and harmless, a defensive bear will usually abandon you.
Warning
- Don't whistle to keep the bear away; he might think of it as a guinea pig or pika whistle and come closer to investigate.
- Avoid spending time near bear food sources. Walking near dead animals, bushes of berries, and streams filled with fish will increase your chances of encountering bears. In addition, the sound of the river flowing can prevent bears from hearing your presence.
- Bear spray is effective, but the resinous scent can actually attract bears. Discard the empty spray container and do not attempt to spray the pepper contents as a precaution.
- Do not spray pepper spray against the wind. This spray is only useful under ideal circumstances. If it's too windy, avoid using bear spray, or the peppercorns can temporarily blind you, leaving the bears to benefit.
- Killing a bear, except in a defensive situation, is illegal in many jurisdictions. Make sure you file a report with the proper authorities, otherwise you run the risk of being seen as a poacher.
- Make noises and slow down as you cycle through the woods in bear-inhabited areas. Mountain bikes can move so fast that the bears don't know you're coming. You might startle him while speeding around the corner.
- You need practice to be able to target, track moving objects, and shoot accurately in a limited amount of time. Don't think you can defend yourself against a bear with a gun if you're not used to it.
- DO NOT try playing dead in front of a black bear or a bear who thinks you are prey. If he starts clawing at you after you play dead, fight back.
- Always carry a flashlight and a friend when out walking at night. This will also help warn the bear that humans are nearby.
- Do not trying to get between the mother bear and her cubs. Don't try to photograph the bear cubs or follow them into the woods.
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Don't try to feed the bear.
Apart from being illegal in Canadian or US National Parks, this act is tantamount to training bears to associate humans with easily available food so that they are no longer afraid of humans. This kind of thing actually endangers the people who camp there and eventually causes park or nature reserve officials to be forced to kill the bear.
