Bear Safety

Bear encounters are rare, and a fed bear making them common is almost always a human mistake. The single biggest thing you control is whether a bear ever gets a reward for approaching people.

Prevention

  1. Store food, trash, and anything scented in a bear canister or a proper hang — toothpaste and sunscreen count, not just food.
  2. Make noise while you move, especially near streams, thick brush and blind corners where a bear can't hear you coming.
  3. Hike in a group. Bear encounters involving groups of four or more are rare.
  4. Carry bear spray where you can reach it in under two seconds — not buried in a pack — and know how to use it before you need it.
  5. Keep a clean camp. Cook and store food well away from where you sleep.

Distance

Stay at least 100 yards (300 feet) away — roughly a football field. If a bear notices you and changes its behavior, you're already too close.

If You Encounter One

  1. Stop. Don't run. Running can trigger a chase response in an animal that outruns any person.
  2. Identify the species if you can. Black bears and brown/grizzly bears get different advice below, and getting it backwards can make things worse.
  3. Talk in a calm, low voice and back away slowly at an angle, never turning your back.
  4. Black bear, being attacked: fight back with everything you have — aim for the face and muzzle.
  5. Brown/grizzly bear, defensive attack (surprised, protecting cubs or a food source): use bear spray if you have it; if contact happens, play dead — lie flat on your stomach, hands over the back of your neck, and stay still until it leaves.
  6. Brown/grizzly bear, predatory attack (rare — stalking you, approaching a tent at night): fight back; playing dead is the wrong response here.

Relevant Terrain

Relevant Months

See also: Wildlife and Bison & Buffalo Safety.