How to Escape from a Bear in the Woods

Do you know how to escape from a Bear in the woods? Say you are out hiking a Nature Trail through the woods on a weekend excursion. There you are, enjoying all that nature has to offer. Identifying plants, birds, small animals and reptiles. Perhaps you are searching for Morel Mushrooms or edible Berries Perhaps, you are out Whitetail Deer hunting. When, suddenly, you come face to face with a Bear. Bears, whether they are Black Bears, Brown Bears, Grizzly Bears or Polar Bears, all have poor eyesight but a keen sense of smell. Chances are that the Bear will just turn and run. But, if it doesn't, you may quickly find yourself in a bad situation. Sow Bears are especially dangerous, if you get between them and their cubs. Now, it is time to test your survival skills. You have the ability to out think and outwit a Bear, so use it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wits and Common Sense
• A can of Pepper Spray helps!

1. First thing, don't panic! The Bear is probably just a surprised as you are. But, whether scared, sick, hungry, or trying to protect their young, a full grown Bear can easily kill you! In the forest, you are in their territory. You can't out run, out climb or out swim a Bear; So, don't even think about it! Don't turn your back on the Bear either. Forget everything you know about the toy variety, this is the real deal!

2. Stand your ground and throw your arms up and out, to make yourself look big and large, while yelling at the Bear. Jump up and down too. If there are bushes or dead limbs on the ground, swinging branches overhead gives you a larger profile and make you appear formidable. Do everything you can to scare the Bear away, first!

3. If the Bear still doesn't back down and run, throw rocks or chunks of wood, while continuing to yell. Thick fur and a layer of fat will cushion the blow of anything that hits it, so aim for the Bear's head. A good hard pop on the nose or a crack to the head could very well save your life! Remember, you're not being 'mean' to the Bear. Reinforcing a fear of humans is beneficial. Without that fear, Bears get too close and take too many chances, often ending with drastic results!

4. If the Bear decides to take the offensive and comes after you, DON'T RUN AWAY! This will only reinforce it's natural instincts to chase you down and attempt to kill you as a prey animal. Instead, find the largest tree, or a tight grouping of small trees, to get behind. Let the Bear chase you around and around the tree. Bears aren't very agile, and they don't corner well. Just don't trip and fall! It shouldn't take long, before the Bear gives up and wanders off. When it does, be sure to go the other way!

Tips & Warnings

• If you are planning to go hiking in an area indigenous to Bears, make noise by talking, singing or whistling so you don't surprise one. Some hikers even pin a jingle bell to their pack or clothing.
• A few blasts from a small hand-held air horn or PEPPER SPRAY canister should run a Bear off.
• If you come up on a Bear while out in a clearing, move slowly towards an obstacle you can use to dodge behind.
• Don't get cocky and charge at a Bear. They have more advantages than you do!
• Don't throw food at a Bear, as a distraction. They will only associate you as a food source and come after more. The only exception is a Deer Hunter. By all means, if you cannot defend your kill, give it up!
• If you wet your pants out of fear, watch out! A Bear will take that as a sign of aggression, as if you are marking its territory.
• © 2009. All Rights Reserved. Questions? [e-mail]

[whitetailwi]

on 11/25/2009 Cool article! 5* A 500lb. bear was the last one spotted here in my neck of the woods - wisconsin. You just have to grin and...bear it!

[GreenMomma]

on 5/5/2009 This is great advice and deserves 5* . Now if only we could fix that little glitch today! :)

[shannonny]

on 5/3/2009 (P.S. Can't get star rating to work, but it's 5.) Well, I like life-and-death articles! What could be more important? Especially since I went camping in the woods for the first time since I was 19 and really enjoyed it, and there are BEAR in California.