How to React to a Bear in the Wild

You’re camping out in the great outdoors, surrounded by the beauty and serenity of nature. The birds are singing and chipmunks are twittering as you take a stroll through the wild, wild wilderness. Suddenly, a resounding silence descends, save for an ominous crackle of twigs. Just as suddenly, you are face to face with a bear.

Instructions

1. Stay calm. As difficult as it may seem in the moment, it is essential to keep your natural instinct to panic in check. If you spot the bear in the distance, and if it has not yet to notice you, circle around the bear, and take care not to attract its attention.

2. Back away. If you’re walking towards the bear, stop. Still facing it, start slowly backing away in a diagonal direction, giving it the space to go away. Take care not to make sudden moves. Slowly raise your arms and wave them slightly, speaking in a deep, soft voice. Do not make eye contact with the animal. Bears see eye contact as signal of aggression on your part, and will react in kind.

3. Do not run. Running away will only trigger the bear's "chase" instinct, and it will give chase. What's more, even a world-class sprinter simply cannot outrun a bear. Even if it bear charges, stand your ground. Often, this is pure bluff on its part, and it will veer away at the last moment, within feet of you. Defy the instinct to run.

4. Keep in mind that when a bear moves closer to you, or stands on its hind legs, this isn't an aggressive stance; it is just curious and is checking you out. It’s trying to see and smell you, so it can identify what you are.

5. Purchase and carry around some Bear Spray (a natural equivalent of mace) and put it in an easy-to-reach place. If the bear does decide to attack you, spray it in the bear’s face.

6. Play dead if the bear does attack. Curl up on the ground in a fetal position, lacing your hands around your head. This serves to signal to the bear that you are no longer the threat it perceives you to be, and protects your body's vital organs. The bear will often stop attacking in this case.

7. Get up and fight back if the bear does not stop its attack. Fight with anything available: rocks, a walking stick, a water canteen, your hands and feet. Bears are often driven away when you fight back.

Tips & Warnings

• Bears generally tend to be wary of human beings, often avoiding them whenever possible. Make a steady noise when you’re hiking in bear country, by either speaking, singing, or whistling. This helps give the bear advance notice that you are coming. Some people use small bells to tinkle when they walk

• Never attempt to approach a bear or give it food – let alone attempt to pet it.

• Never get between a female bear and her cub or cubs. They’re much more aggressive if they feel their babies are threatened.