I was prompted to write this article after an emergency room doctor in our town was killed by a black bear while vacationing with her husband in northern Ontario last summer. They were celebrating their first anniversary. Little did they know when they left that the wife would be fatally attacked.
The kids are out of school. You've decided to go into a remote wilderness area to enjoy some peace and the beauty of nature. Have you thought of what you will do if you meet up with a bear while enjoying your summer vacation? If you are vacationing in an area that is in bear territory, there are a few things you should know.
Black Bears
Normally black bears do not attack humans. They go out of their way to avoid coming into contact. If you are in an area that is the territory of black bears, make lots of noise when hiking on trails and enjoying other outdoor activities. If you do, chances are you will never see a black bear. However, black bears that are injured or starving do attack humans. If a black bear becomes aggressive, wave your arms and yell. Make all the noise you possibly can. Do not climb a tree or play dead. Once a black bear becomes aggressive these things will not deter it. Fight back with a tree branch or other object that is readily available. Rocks work perfectly.
Grizzly Bears
Grizzly bears are very aggressive and territorial. They are responsible for most bear attacks on humans. Grizzly attacks are almost always fatal. If you spot a grizzly bear, lie face down on the ground and play dead. If you're wearing a backpack, leave it on unless it contains food, then discard it if possible. Once you are lying face down, place your hands on the back of your neck. Spread your legs to prevent the bear from rolling you onto your back. When you've done this, lie perfectly still. Do not move or make any sound. A grizzly often loses interest if it thinks the threat is past. Do not move for as long as is humanly possible. Grizzlies will watch from afar and will return if you move.
More Bear Information
The National Wildlife Federation suggests that campers and hikers carry a can of USDA pepper spray. Test it to be sure that it works properly. Carry it in a place where it is immediately accessible.
If hiking in grizzly territory, hike in a group. Never hike alone.
Stay in areas that are relatively open. Never approach any breed of bear.
Stay away from streams where bears are known to feed on fish. Never approach a bear's den. If you see bear tracks or scat, leave the area immediately.
Bears are more active at dawn and dusk. Be very alert if you are hiking at this time of day.
Camping
If camping, keep all raw and cooked food in Bear Resistant Food Containers (BRFC.) These are available with camping permits at most US National Parks.
Your food preparation area must be at least 300 feet from your sleeping area. Suspend BRFC in a tree at least 10 feet off the ground.
Never eat or cook in your tent.
Do not sleep in clothes you have worn to gut an animal or fish. Bears recognize you as human by your scent. Clothes smelling of animal or fish tells them that you are a meal.
Do not wear scented deodorant, cologne or perfume.
Very Important Facts
Two very important factors to keep you safe from bear attacks:
1. Never look a bear in the eye. This is perceived as a challenge and they will attack in an instant.
2. If a bear approaches, use pepper spray on the animal's face when it comes within 15 feet of you. Be sure you are down wind when doing this, or the pepper spray will blow back into your face, rendering you helpless.
Above all, when camping or hiking in bear territory use extreme caution and common sense. Respect the bear's right to live in peace without being harassed by humans. This will ensure the safety of both you and the bear. Each year bears are shot because of human interference.
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Comments: 23
I would be interested in reading some of your bear stories. I love these beautiful creatures, but am very careful to respect them when I travel into their territory. Thanks to my Dad, I learned to respect animals and their rights as a child.
I saw a baby black bear while hiking w/ my fiancee in Shenandoah (VA) over the Fourth. A very nice looking kid, probably went at about 60-75 pounds or so. We were actually leaving the National Park by car at that point, and felt glad to be in our car!
My sons were Boy Scouts and every summer had to learn these rules because there were bears in Scout camp. Their troop often went to the Adirondacks, too, so these were important lessons to learn and follow.
Around here, black bears are very active -- I saw one crossing the green inside a clover leaf of a highway on-ramp and at first thought it was a dog, then a deer, and then I recognized that signature slouching walk -- wow!
Anyway, bears. Yeah. Thanks for the advice. I would run up a tree or play possum because I'd think, to a black bear, yelling and hurling rocks like a common demonstrator would be provocative.
But, should blacky and me ever come eye-not-to-eye, I'll remember this little piece, shout, "Mother!" and pray to St. Anthony, Patron Saint of Unbearable Situations...
I've been told it is a bad idea to run away, because the instinct to chase you is high. That it is better to move away slowly. No munchies in the tent!
Me, I keep a .44mag under the pillow as well.....
In my area of Los Angeles it is coyotes, but I have not seen one but they have killed neighbor cats.
Another publication to consider is Zoobooks. My son has been a subscriber for years.
We are invading their territory, so of course we will see more of them!