Bear Behavior Humans

Tips for Staying Safe in Bear Country

• Avoid bears. This is the simplest, most effective method of avoiding a confrontation with a bear. Always keep an eye out for any evidence of bear activity.

• If you do spot a bear in the distance, and the bear does not see you, do not attract its attention or disturb it in anyway. Quietly go in the opposite direction, or circle around it.

• If the bear spots you or if you don't notice it till it is up close, stay very calm. Bears rarely attack. The bear may be curious and stand on its hind legs to check you out, but this is not an aggressive stance on its part. Stand tall, wave both your arms and speak out in a deep, loud voice. Slowly back away diagonally from the bear. If it follows, stop.

• Never, ever run away from a bear. This merely triggers the animal's "chase" instinct and it will come after you. The world's swiftest sprinter cannot outrun a bear. A bear may charge at you, but more often than not, this is just a bluff. Defy your instinct to run and stand your ground. Stand tall, wave both your arms and speak out in a deep, loud voice. Often, the charging bear will get to within feet of you and then veer off at the very last moment.

• If you startle or somehow aggravate a bear and it attacks, play dead. Get on the ground and curl up in a fetal position, with your hands laced behind your head. Lie as still as possible. This position will not only protect your vital organs, but will also demonstrate to the bear that you are no longer a threat, and it will usually stop attacking you.

• If the bear does not stop attacking you even when you are in this fetal position, get up and fight back with your hands and feet and anything you can lay your hands on. Most predatory bears are young and may be intimidated and chased away.

Aggressive Bear Behavior: Humans Often Cause it, and They Can Also Prevent it

A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear

Bears are actually wary of people, and usually give them a wide berth. One exception is what is referred to as a "food-conditioned" bear. This type of bear has lost its wariness of people, usually because it has come to associate humans with food. Typically, this bear has scavenged food from a human encampment or dwelling, and will keep coming back for more. Almost every food-conditioned bear becomes a dangerous nuisance that will need to be killed.

The behavior of a food-conditioned bear behavior, humans can actually be prevented. Following these practices makes this possible.

• Avoid creating or leaving food smells near your campsite. Do all your cooking several yards downwind away from your camp.
• Clean up thoroughly after each meal, so as to get rid of any food odors from the campsite.
• Store all your food inside your vehicle or in a bear-proof locker. If your campground provides food caches, be sure to use these.
• Dispose of all your food waste in a bear-proof trashcan or dumpster, well away from your camp.
• Never bury your trash – bears have a keen sense of smell and they are sure to find and dig it up.

Take responsibility for yourself and for your fellow campers who come camping after you. Following these practices, you will not only avoid creating food-conditioned bears, but will also help protect yourself and your friends from hungry or curious bears.