Bears are among the most majestic creatures in nature and seeing one live is an unforgettable experience. If you get too close, however, the encounter can become terrifying. Although humans have invaded much of the bear habitat over the years, fortunately attacks on people are rare and deaths even more. Nonetheless, they are huge and powerful animals; any encounter with them can turn into a death trap if you are not prepared.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Preventing Close Encounters
Step 1. Keep bears away by making noise, a bell or traveling in a group
If you can prevent encounters with these animals, the other steps will not be necessary. Bears are solitary creatures and usually prefer to stay away from humans. You can make your presence known to keep them away when you are exploring their habitat: speak loudly, sing or bring special "bear bells" with you to give these animals a chance to escape before you arrive.
- There is very little evidence of bear attacks on groups of people, so stay with your friends or family.
- If you are alone, it is very important to make noise or bring a bell with you, especially if bears have been reported in the area.
Step 2. Keep your eyes peeled for signs of bears, changing paths if necessary
If you notice any footprints of these animals, take a detour or leave the area. Avoid surprising them; if you see one from a distance, do not approach and do not move. Let the animal walk away before continuing. If the specimen changes attitude due to your presence, it means that you are too close.
- When you see a bear, make as little noise as possible. Stay calm, be quiet and don't disturb the animal.
- This is especially important if you have seen a "harmless" young bear. His mother may be around and decide to attack you. Even if a specimen appears sick or injured, stay away from it and call a park keeper.
Step 3. Avoid animal corpses and places where prey has been killed
Bears stand up for two things: their cubs and their last meal. If you find any carcasses, especially fresh ones, do not go near them and leave the area immediately.
Step 4. Leave your pets at home
Bears shun humans and rarely consider us a food source. Your dogs, however, may not be so lucky, especially if they see the bear as a threat. As well as your pets may be trained, leave them at home when you venture into an area populated by bears.
If you have to bring a pet with you, be sure to keep it always on a leash.
Step 5. Purchase the anti-bear products recommended by the park management, such as pepper spray and bear-proof food containers
Be prepared to avoid these animals and face them, in the rare event that they should attack you. When camping, remember that you need to keep food and litter in containers, as the smell they give off can attract wild animals.
Step 6. Understand the basics of bear behavior to understand when a situation is about to become dangerous
These animals are not as unpredictable as they say. Like humans, they make many characteristic movements that can help you decipher their intentions, so they can react appropriately.
- When a bear stands on its hind legs it is curious, not aggressive.
- Usually, bears want to retreat, but feign an aggressive stance to avoid a confrontation. Keep calm.
- These animals are not always perfectly aware of their surroundings. They can get distracted and therefore it is very important to announce your presence by making noise.
Step 7. Learn about bears
Depending on the species you are facing, you will have to adopt different strategies to survive an encounter. In Italy there are two species of bears: the European brown bear and the Marsican one. In other civilized areas, you can meet black bears, polar bears and grizzly bears. It is not easy to recognize a grizzly bear from a black bear by just looking at its fur. Grizzlies can weigh over 400 kg and have a particularly pronounced hump on their shoulders. The latter also exceed the hindquarters in height. Black bears, on the other hand, are smaller (up to 200 kg) and have hindquarters at about the same height as the withers. If you notice footprints, those of grizzlies have claw marks separated from the rest of the paw, while in black bears the claw marks are closer to the rest of the footprint.
Step 8. Visit the information center of the park you are in for the latest news
Have there been any recent sightings of bears, or an increase in the activity of these animals near campsites? Park keepers know exactly what is happening on their territory and can give you useful tips to avoid unwanted encounters. Please go to the information office as soon as you arrive to be updated.
Make sure you respect the directions you have received and that you store food properly while camping. In each park the rules to follow are different; in some cases bear-proof food containers are required, in others the food must be stored in bags hanging high, out of reach of predators, or it must be kept locked in the car
Method 2 of 3: Preventing Animal Aggression and Dangerous Situations
Step 1. Stay calm and don't run away for any reason
If you did, the bear would think you are a prey worth pursuing; remember that they are surprisingly fast animals. If you screamed and screamed, the bear would be frightened and believe that it is being threatened. As difficult as it may seem, staying calm and peaceful is always the best decision.
Step 2. Keep your distance by standing sideways and keeping your eyes fixed on the bear
If you see a bear at a great distance (more than 100 meters), leave the area. If you have to proceed, take a long detour to avoid the animal. If the bear has not seen you, do not disturb him: walk away calmly and quietly, then make a lot of noise when you are at a safe distance, so as to avoid other encounters in the future. If, on the other hand, you are close to the predator and he has noticed you, keep your calm and distance, moving sideways to avoid tripping and keeping your eyes on the threat.
Step 3. Tell the pet that you are a human being by speaking in a low, calm voice
It doesn't matter what you say, but speak loudly as you walk off to the side, keeping an eye on the bear. Your goal is to make the bear understand that you are a man (that you are therefore able to defend yourself and that you are not afraid), that you do not pose a threat and that you are leaving his territory.
- Always avoid yelling or making high-pitched noises.
- Choose a simple sentence and repeat it without losing your temper: "You have nothing to fear, I'm not here to hurt you" or something similar. The words you choose don't matter, of course, but the tone must be calm and you don't have to stop talking.
Step 4. Increase the size of your figure as much as possible by spreading your arms, clothes and assuming an elevated position
Again, remember to move calmly and slowly. If the bear has seen you and is within 100m of you (or is even approaching), keep calm and try to look as big as possible. Stay still and don't let your fear show. Here are some things you can do:
- Open your vest and spread it sideways.
- Slowly raise your arms and swing them, so that the bear understands that you are a man and not a prey.
- Keep talking in a low, quiet voice.
Step 5. Always give the bear an escape route
If you've cornered the animal, walk away quickly but don't panic. Remember that most bears try to intimidate you but don't want a fight. If, however, their only escape route is blocked by you, they will not be begged. Immediately clear the most direct route to allow the specimen to move away from the area.
Step 6. Understand the bear's motives
Knowing the psychology of these animals can help you a lot; you should react to an attack by considering the motives of the attacker as well. First, if a specimen appears to be hunting you (disappearing and reappearing, for example) or if it attacks you at night, it probably thinks you are food and its attacks are predators. If you have caught a bear on a path, if it is with cubs, if it is eating or protecting a dead animal, it is probably taking action to defend itself.
You should fight the bears that attack to hunt, regardless of what their species is. These specimens are often desperate, but attacks of this type are extremely rare
Step 7. If the bear seems to be increasingly aggressive, react aggressively too
If you are certain that the animal is trying to chase you (and only then), you should make a lot of noise and increase your body volume. Stamp your feet on the ground, wave a walking stick menacingly in front of you, and knock pots together. Show the animal that you are not easy prey. That said, don't hit him unless he's the one to attack first. Don't forget that a bear's first charge is often a bluff; stand still and try not to appear helpless.
Always remember that Not it's about normality. Attacks by bears are extremely rare, so be very careful when trying to assess the situation.
Method 3 of 3: Facing a Charge or Attack
Step 1. Stand straight with your back and still, even if the bear charges you
Running away would give the animal reason to chase you - and it will always be quick enough to catch up with you. Don't be aggressive, but don't squat, don't pretend to be dead, and don't show signs of fear or vulnerability. If a bear charges at you, appeal to all your courage and stand still: often the first charge is a bluff and, if you don't move, the animal will walk away.
Step 2. Avoid a bear's advance sideways if it gets very close (within 10 feet)
Plantigrades and other four-legged animals have a large center of gravity and, consequently, are unable to make rapid changes of direction as humans do. Avoid running in circles, but if you are attacked in a bare area of vegetation, don't run away directly in the opposite direction of the bear's charge, as these animals are generally faster than us. Move left and right if possible to force the bear to change direction. Don't hit the animal, though, as it will waste valuable energy.
Step 3. Only pretend to be dead after you have been touched by a brown bear or grizzly bear
If the animal (other than a black bear) is attacking you because it feels threatened, you can calm it down by pretending to be dead and lying on the ground. Try this technique only after the bear has hit you or attempted to do so. Lie on the ground prone to protect your vital organs and defend your neck and head with your arms and hands. If you have a backpack, don't take it off to protect your back. Keep your legs together and don't resist.
- When the bear moves away, wait 10-15 minutes before checking to see if it is gone. If the animal sees you move, it may decide to retrace its steps.
- Remember: if you feel that the bear is chasing you, for example because it has approached you or because it is following you, you need to change your strategy and try to fight.
Step 4. Fight a black bear if it attacks you and makes contact with you
A simple charge is not considered an attack; it could be a bluff. If, on the other hand, a specimen touches you after having charged you, you must fight with all the means at your disposal. Try to hit him mostly on the face and nose to scare him. You may think that you are doomed in a physical fight against a bear, but these animals do not usually regard humans as prey, so those who do are often immature, very hungry or injured and can be easily frightened by some well-aimed blow..
If you think an attack is predatory, for example because it occurs at night or after a chase, fight the animal right away, as it is usually desperate for food
Step 5. Learn when and how to use a bear spray
If a bear charges at you, stand still, remove the safety from the spray and create a cloud of repellent gas between you and the animal. Close your eyes tightly and hold your breath. The accuracy of your aim does not matter; your goal is to create a protective cushion, which gives you time to escape. For the best effect, start spraying when the bear is 10-20 meters away from you.
- Keep spraying until the bear changes direction. If this strategy is unsuccessful, hit him straight in the muzzle.
- You should train yourself to quickly get the spray out of its case before setting off on a hike.
Advice
- When wandering into the woods, make sure the people who know you know where you are going and take a cell phone with you.
- Don't keep food in your tent when you go camping. Always use appropriate food containers, or suspend your food at least four meters above the ground. There are "bear-proof containers" that you can buy or rent, in which you can store your food. Remember that most bears are excellent climbers.
- If possible, walk upwind, i.e. with the wind behind you. Let your scent spread so the bears are aware of your presence.
- Stay still, unless you are sure the bear wants to eat you.
- If you have a firearm, use it to save your life if necessary, but only if you are in real danger (not on the occasion of a warning charge). If you can shoot safely, you may be forced to shoot to save yourself. If you have to shoot a bear, wait for it to be close to you (no more than 10-12 meters) and aim for the lower neck or head. If you have injured or killed a bear, be sure to report the incident to the proper authorities.
- If you have to pretend to be dead and are wearing a large backpack, it will provide you with some back protection. Defend the other areas of the body by lying on your stomach and keeping your hands clasped behind your neck. Use your legs and elbows to try to keep the bear from tipping over, but don't resist. If you look dead and harmless, a bear that's just trying to defend itself should leave you alone.
- Bears are attracted to strong smells, so pile all your trash together and keep it away from your tent. Make sure you dispose of all blood-stained medical devices and hygiene products properly. Plastic zip lock bags can help you do this.
- Bears are EXTREMELY protective of their cubs and can become very aggressive if they see a man close to one of them. For this reason, stay away from young bears as well.
Warnings
- Avoid staying near bear food sources. By walking past animal corpses, berry bushes and schools of fish, you will increase the chances of encountering a bear. Always keep in mind that the sound of running water can mask that of an approaching bear.
- Make noise and go slowly if you are mountain biking in an area populated by bears. The bikes move too fast for the bears to have time to realize that you are approaching and you may catch one of these animals after a bend.
- At night, always walk with a flashlight and accompanied by a friend. You will warn the wild animals of your presence.
- NOT try to pretend to be dead against a black bear or if a bear is hunting you. If the animal starts scratching you with its claws when you are on the ground, you will have no choice but to fight.
- Bear sprays are effective deterrents, but the smell they leave behind can, in fact, attract these animals. Throw away empty cans and don't try to spray a perimeter of the spray as a preventative measure.
- Killing a bear, other than in self-defense, is illegal in many jurisdictions. Be sure to report this to the relevant authorities.
- Do not try to get between a mother and her puppies. Don't try to take pictures of puppies and don't follow them into the woods.
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Don't feed the bears.
Not only is this illegal in many states, such as the United States and Canada, but it also teaches bears to associate humans with food and have no reason to fear us. This can make them a danger to other campers and even lead to their being cut down by the proper authorities.
