How to Survive an Encounter With a Bear

Bear attacks are extremely rare, but it's best to be prepared. Almost all bear attacks involve encounters with mothers and their cubs. Never approach a bear cub, cute and cuddly as it may be.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bear Attacks : Their Causes And Avoidance (book)
• Bear Encounter Survival Guide
• Backpacks
• Bear Safety Devices
• Sleeping Bags
• Sleeping Pads
• Tents

1. Remain calm if you spot a bear; avoid sudden movements.

2. Back away slowly, avoid eye contact, and speak to the bear in a calm, quiet voice. Running might trigger a chase response, and you're not going to outrun a bear.

3. Throw something onto the ground (for example, a camera) if the bear pursues you, as this may distract the bear and allow you to escape.

4. Keep your backpack on; it may protect your body if you're attacked.

5. Don't climb a tree. Black bears can climb trees, and trees found in grizzly country generally have weak trunks and lack low branches.

6. Drop to the ground in the fetal position with your hands behind your neck if attacked. Stay silent and don't move.

7. Roll with the bear's blows and return to your motionless fetal position.

8. Stay quiet and motionless for at least 20 minutes once the bear leaves. Bears will often watch from a distance and return at the first sign of movement.

9. Fight back only as a last resort if the bear persists. You'll have the best luck fighting back against a black bear. If you can get to your feet, strike it in the eyes or on the snout as you slowly back away.

Tips & Warnings

• Black bears and grizzly bears are very different animals, with grizzlies being responsible for most bear-attack fatalities. Black bears are less likely to attack and more likely to go through your garbage.
• Learn and obey the rules and regulations of the wilderness and other areas you're hiking in.
• Some hikers who have been confronted by aggressive bears have reported success with pepper spray.
• Don't climb a tree if you encounter a bear. Black bears can climb trees, and trees found in grizzly and brown bear country generally have weak trunks and lack low branches.

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[leslierama]

on 7/29/2009 Sports Illustrated had a killer article on this too. You can get a free 12 month subscription for like the next week or something - tinyurl.com/si-promo

[alpha-moose]

on 5/30/2009 Actually, most guns won't do anything but make a Bear angry. It would take a large gun to take down a bear, like a .300 magnum. So if you only have a small gun, or a shotgun; don't bother shooting at it unless it's about to attack and end your life.

[blahblah29]

on 9/2/2008 uh huh, ok. guns, guns, guns. and a few friends with...guns. or just hope you are attacked at the emergency room parking lot.

[AndyMouskvitch]

on 4/23/2008 This list is for pansies and darwinists.

The only sure-fire way to approach a bear attack is to calm it down momentarily, ie: throw a peace offering of a CLIF bar to it, or raise your arms so the bear can see them (like you're being mugged.) Once you have the bear's understanding, explain to it that you want a good, clean fight. This means no biting; no sticking your opponent's head in a honeypot; and no climbing a tree and piledriving either. For either combatant. Bears can smell a cheater from across the forest and will call for backup. Fighting 12 merciless grizzlies is much tougher than fighting one by these rules. Also, don't talk about bear fights.

Strategy for the fight:
*Punch your ursine assailant repeatedly in the face -Avoid Teeth-
*Bob and weave to avoid it's claws
*Never Back Down
*Stay light on your toes
If available smash a stadium chair on the bear's ba

[AndyMouskvitch]

on 4/23/2008 This list is for pansies and darwinists.

The only sure-fire way to approach a bear attack is to calm it down momentarily, ie: throw a peace offering of a CLIF bar to it, or raise your arms so the bear can see them (like you're being mugged.) Once you have the bear's understanding, explain to it that you want a good, clean fight. This means no biting; no sticking your opponent's head in a honeypot; and no climbing a tree and piledriving either. For either combatant. Bears can smell a cheater from across the forest and will call for backup. Fighting 12 merciless grizzlies is much tougher than fighting one by these rules. Also, don't talk about bear fights.

Strategy for the fight:
*Punch your ursine assailant repeatedly in the face -Avoid Teeth-
*Bob and weave to avoid it's claws
*Never Back Down
*Stay light on your toes
If available smash a stadium chair on the bear's ba