Safety Tips for Bear Encounters

Safety Tips for Bear Encounters: Some time ago after the death of a Rutgers University student in New Jersey, we published this blog to help hikers and solo travelers with some tips for surviving such a rare bear encounter.  In that case, the five hikers who were unaware of how to act when meeting up unexpectedly with a bear. Their natural instinct was to run. The bear, due to what was believed to be a shortage of food, such as acorns and berries, attacked one of the hikers.  Sadly, this victim was not able to survive the three hundred pound bear’s attack.

Strangely in June 2021, bears at home and abroad have been engaging more with hikers and coming in to populated areas.  A woman hiking solo in Alaska at that time had a serious bear encounter. Bears charged her and chased her off the path. Despite trying to fend them off with bear spray, she ended up getting lost trying to escape them. Luckily, she was found safe two days later. That same week in Japan, a brown bear invaded a residential area and attacked four people.

With the restart of travel as the pandemic subsides, vacations in state and national parks are even more popular than before.  However, the temptation can be great to get too close to bears or other wildlife. Hikers are more likely to interact with bears. I was barely out of the parking lot at Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park when I heard a rustle in the bushes. I waited patiently expecting to see a deer  lumber across the sidewalk ahead of me.  As luck would have it, a large brown bear sauntered by. Luckily, he/she was not guarding cubs, increasing the danger.

While the majority of those who enjoy outdoor recreation will never have a bear encounter, it is still important to know what to do if such an unlikely event occurs. For more information about the seven tips listed below please visit SABRE’s website.

Try these practical steps to safety:

Safety Tips for Bear Encounters:

Tip One:

Avoid an Encounter: Wrap up all food in special bear-proof packs. Be aware of areas with berries or other places where bears will gather for food. Keep your eyes peeled.

Safety Tips for Bear Encounters:

Tip Two:

If Tip One fails, identify yourself: Speak calmly and quietly so the bear distinguishes you from human vs. prey.

Tip Three:

Look as large a possible (i.e. move to higher ground). Spread your arms out to look more menacing.

Tip Four:

Stay in groups.  (In hiking, even without marauding bears, this can be serious for solo travelers when a minor sprained ankle makes it hard to get back safely. See, for example, our “Ten Solo Hiking Safety Tips“.

Safety Tips for Bear Encounters:

What not to do:

Tip Five:

Do not drop your pack since it can be used as protection. (However, if you have food tucked away, you could try to hurl it in the bear’s path. Hopefully, the bear will be more interested in snacking than chasing you down.)

Tip Six:

Be especially cautious if you see a female with her cubs, and leave the area slowly but immediately. Be aware that bears can climb trees. If climbing a tree is your last, best escape, make certain that you go as high up in the tree as possible. Be sure to choose a sturdy limb for your perch to avoid landing back on the ground in harm’s way or having a serious injury.)

Tip Seven:

Do not think feeding the bear will help since it will only encourage an attack.

Safety Tips for Bear Encounters:

Know how to identify them:

To distinguish between a brown and black bear and how to react during an encounter, see this diagram:

• Brown/Grizzly Bears: If you are attacked by a brown/grizzly bear, leave your pack on and PLAY DEAD. Lay flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck. Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over. Remain still until the bear leaves the area. Fighting back usually increases the intensity of such attacks. However, if the attack persists, fight back vigorously. Use whatever you have at hand to hit the bear in the face.
• Black Bears: If you are attacked by a black bear try to escape to a secure place such as a car or building. If escape is not possible, try to fight back using any object available. Concentrate your kicks and blows on the bear’s face and muzzle.

Most bear attacks occur when hikers are unaware of their surroundings or how to properly react.  Use this guide to more safely enjoy nature and all of the wonderful things it has to offer!