Tips To Stay Safe When Encountering A Wild Bear

1. Give the bear a clear escape route

Image Source: Reddit

When you're immersing yourself within nature, you are bound to come across a whole range of animals. Perhaps one of the most common, and potentially dangerous, animal to encounter is a bear. If you do find yourself encountering a species of wild bear, you should follow the safety tips within this list. The first, and most important, is to give the bear a clear escape route.

2. Leave any doors open

Image Source: Reddit

Linking back to the first point, is to open any doors around you. Of course, this tip is only relevant for enclosed spaces/buildings. Your first instinct may be to close any doors within your reach, but if you want to create a clear escape route, you should leave doorways clear. This simple action will ensure that the bear doesn't feel restricted or threatened in any way.

3. Do not lock the bear in a room

Image Source: Reddit

Another key tip, for encountering a bear within an enclosed space, is to avoid locking the bear into a room. This may be your initial response/instinct, but you should refrain from doing this. If a bear is locked within a room, it is more likely to become violent and destructive. This behaviour will be a result of feeling threatened, and the bear will often lose any form of rational thinking.

4. Make loud noises to scare the bear away

Image Source: Reddit

This next safety tip applies to when the bear is within an open space. You should attempt to make noise, in order to scare the bear away. If you're at home, you should try hitting some pots and pans together, playing music and/or yelling. If you're within an open space e.g. hiking, you should yell or use any hiking/camping equipment to make enough noise to startle the bear.

5. Remove potential attractants

Image Source: Reddit

Another way to prevent any appearance from bears, is by removing any attractants from your home/camp site. This means you should dispose of any trash responsibly, and clear away food scraps etc. from open spaces. One of the leading causes of bear encounters, is the presence and access to trash and food. If a bear is hunting for food, they are likely to enter residential areas/campsites, where food isn't in short supply.

6. Ask neighbours to remove attractants

Image Source: Reddit

This tip links back to the previous point, and that is to ask neighbours to remove any attractants as well. This refers to more residential areas, where the presence of food and trash is higher. You should notify your neighbours if you believe a bear has been within the area, and politely ask them to remove any easily accessible trash and/or food from their homes.

7. Check your yard before letting pets out

Image Source: Reddit

Yet another safety tip for residential areas, is to check your front and back yard before allowing any pets to roam outside. This will ensure the safety of you and your pets, as you'll be able to monitor the potential movements and location of a bear (within your local area). If a bear is spotted within your front and/or backyard, you should lock any doors/windows and contact the local authorities.

8. Don't approach the bear

Image Source: Reddit

This tip applies for residential and open space areas, and that is to not approach the bear in any circumstance. A bear may depict this as threatening behaviour, and feels as though you're about to attack it. This will lead to it becoming violent, and potentially beginning a pursuit. The best thing to do is to remain still, and make noise from a distance, to startle the bear.

9. Back away slowly (in the opposite direction)

Image Source: Reddit

If you do cross paths with a bear, and they aren't startled by any noises you make, you should back away from it slowly (in the opposite direction). You should keep the bear within your site as you back away, as you'll be able to monitor its behaviour and movements, and change your direction of travel (if necessary). Backing away slowly, will also reduce the risk of you being considered a threat by the bear.

10. Carry bear spray

Image Source: The Washington Department Of Fish And Wildlife

Bear spray is a common form of repellent, that the majority of hikers and campers have on-hand. It is a great form of bear repellent, as it can be used from a long-range distance, and can be used multiple times. This form of repellent should be used when you're being threatened by a bear, and it is highly possible that you may be attacked by said bear.

11. Stand your ground

Image Source: Reddit

When you're encountering a bear within a wild landscape, it is important to stand your ground whilst prioritizing your safety. This means, you should not panic when you come into contact with a bear, and (calmly) take any necessary safety measures e.g. making loud noises, removing any possible attractants and preparing bear spray (if its 100% suitable to use).

12. Back away when the bear stops its approach

Image Source: Reddit

If you find yourself being approached by a bear, you should remain still and avoid the urge to move away. You should only back away (slowly and in the opposite direction), once the bear stops approaching you. By waiting for the bear to stop its approach, you're allowing the bear to explore its surroundings, without feeling threatened by your presence.

13. Make yourself look bigger

Image Source: Reddit

A great way of standing your ground, is by making yourself look bigger/giving yourself a bigger presence. This can be done by climbing onto higher ground, going onto your tip-toes and stretching out your arms/legs. This will allow you to assert some kind of dominance, when being approached by a bear, and the bear will be less likely to attack if it considers you as an 'equal'.

14. Yell 'Hey bear' loudly

Image Source: Reddit

One of the ways you can attempt to startle a bear, is by simply yelling: 'Hey bear'. This is one of the most effective ways to notify a bear of your presence, and asserting your dominance over your campsite/hiking trail. Of course, you should be cautious when yelling at a bear, as this could be perceived as threatening behaviour by the bear, which will cause it to attack.

15. Prepare your bear spray

Image Source: Parks Canada

Going back to the topic of bear spray, if you feel under threat and/or as if you're going to be attacked by a bear you encounter, you should prepare your bear spray. It is important to get accustomed with your bear spray, and brush up on how to use it safely and effectively. Once you have acquired this knowledge, you will be able to protect yourself from a potential attack.

16. Stay together

Image Source: Reddit

If you're traveling within a group, it is important that you stay together throughout your journey, especially if you come into contact with a bear. A bear is less likely to attack and feel threatened, if you're within a group, because the bear won't risk its safety to attack a large group. It will probably just observe you from a distance, and walk away once it becomes bored.

17. Remain calm

Image Source: Psychological Health Care

One of the most important things to remember, when encountering a wild bear, is to remain calm. Maintaining a calm composure and mindset, will allow you to stick to rational forms of thinking, and will prevent you from panicking. Even if you're feeling threatened by a bear, and think it may attack, you should try your best to remember all of the safety tips on this list and put them into action.

18. Fight back

Image Source: Reddit

If you do find that you're going to be attacked by a bear, with no possible escape route, you need to fight back. Fighting back will improve your chances of survival, and may provide you with an opportunity to escape. If you do not fight back, it is more than likely, that the bear will cause you grave harm and/or death. Fighting back will also give the bear the impression that you're a strong competitor, and may decide to leave you alone.

19. Don't play dead

Image Source: Flickr

Similarly to the last point, you should never play dead (even if it seems like the best cause of action). Playing dead just gives the bear more of a reason to attack you, as you will be perceived as weak/unthreatening. The bear may also believe that you are already dead, and attempt to carry you away to eat (especially if they're actively hunting).

20. Move sideways

Image Source: BASE Magazine

When backing away from a bear, you should remember to do so slowly (and in the opposite direction), and you should also move in a sideways formation. Moving sideways, will distract the bear from the fact that you're moving away from it, and it will be perceived as a less threatening movement. This style of movement, will also provide you with more opportunities to reach higher ground, and improve your dominance.

21. Pick up small children

Image Source: Reddit

If you're travelling within a group that contains small children, you should pick them up immediately if you come into contact with a bear. If a bear is going to attack, they will target small children, as they will be perceived as the weakness of the group. This is why it is important to pick up any small children, and try to secure them to you if possible.

22. Travel in groups

Image Source: Reddit

To improve your overall safety and security when hiking etc. you should attempt to only travel in groups. You're less likely to be approached by a bear, if you're within a large group, as the bear may believe you're going to attack it. Being in a group, will also allow you to monitor your surroundings, and cover more area when exploring an certain area.

23. Don't allow the bear to access your food

Image Source: Reddit

This safety tip links back to the topic of attractants, and that is not allowing a bear access to your food. If a bear accesses any of your food, it is more than likely going to follow you, as it will consider you as a secure source of food and/or water. The bear will be able to pick up on your scent, and may follow you along your hiking trail, and continue to scavenge for your food!

24. Do not drop your bag

Image Source: Reddit

When being approached and/or attacked by a bear, you should never drop your bag. Dropping your bag will reduce your chances of survival, as it can be used as another layer of protection against a bear. If you find yourself being thrown to the ground, you can use your bag to defend yourself, as it can provide a great barrier between you and the bear.

25. Do not climb a tree

Image Source: Reddit

If you're trying to escape a potential bear attack, you should avoid climbing any kind of tree, as bears are deceivingly agile, and have been known to climb trees to hunt. They will often try to grapple with any limbs that are hanging from a tree as well e.g. your arms and legs whilst you're scaling a tree. It can be tempting to scale a tree when you're panicking, but you should avoid this at all times!

26. Don't run

Image Source: Reddit

Another important safety tip, is to avoid running from a bear. Running will alert a bear to your presence, and will often be perceived as you wanting the bear to pursue you. They will consider you as prey, and will enter into active hunting, which reduces the likelihood of survival. As mentioned previously, the best way to distance yourself from a bear, is by moving away slowly.

27. Leave the area

Image Source: Reddit

Leaving the area is another great method of improving your safety around a wild bear. If you are just passing through an area, and come into contact with a bear, just continue through the area whilst monitoring the bear's movements/behaviour. If you've settled into an area, and a bear appears, you should monitor the bear's behaviour; and if it becomes somewhat aggressive, you should leave the area immediately!

28. Be especially cautious around female bears/cubs

Image Source: Reddit

If you come into contact with a female bear and/or cubs, you should be overly cautious about your movements and behaviour, as female bears are notoriously territorial. They are also overly protective of their cubs, and will attack any potential threats (animal and human). Female bears can be a lot more aggressive in general, so you should avoid approaching them and their cubs.

29. Plan your visit to a bear country in advance

Image Source: Reddit

When planning your travel, you should research whether your destination is well-known for its bear population. If it is, it is advised that you plan your route and methods of travel e.g. driving, hiking, sailing etc. By researching this information, you will be able to prepare what items to pack, what routes to follow and whether you should travel within a large group.

30. Brush up on your knowledge of bears

Image Source: Reddit

The final safety tip on this list, is to brush up on your overall knowledge of bears. Each species of bear requires different safety precautions, and some safety measures won't work for every species of bear. If the area you're travelling to is known for a certain population of bear, you should brush up on your knowledge of said species, and make a note of the best/most effective safety measures.