Tips For Surviving a Bear Encounter

Day 2,266, 13:50 • Published in Ireland Ireland • by Anthony Colby


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In North America, there are two species of bear-black and brown ( which includes subspecies grizzly and Kodiak bears)- but is often difficult to distinguish between the two. Both types have been known to attack humans and in the past century approximately 100 people have died due to bear attacks. So to prevent your becoming part of this "grizzly" statistic here are some tips to avoid or survive a bear attack.



1. Why Are You Here?
Avoid investigating dark, unknown caves or hollow logs, where bears make their dens, and avoid areas identified by scavengers, such as racoons, as there may be a feeding bear nearby.

2. You're Kidding With The Camera, Right?
Leave pictures of bears to professional wildlife photographers. Bears don't like you, and they don't want their picture taken.

3. Whoa, Mama.
If you see a bear with a cub, leave quickly. A mother bear with cubs is not open to negotiation. She will attack if she thinks she or her cubs are in danger.

4. Raise A Ruckus, Ring A Bell.
Some experts recommend tying a bell to your foot or backpack to make noise as you travel. You can sing or holler at your hiking buddies. Just don't be a ninja. Bears don't like to be surprised.

5. Freeze! Stick 'Em Up!
Okay, so you've spotted a bear, and the bear has spotted you. Stop right there, and don't move. Speak to the bear in a low, calm voice, and slowly raise your arms up above your head. This makes you appear larger.

6. Back Off.
Clearly, you should try to leave now. Do it slowly and go back the way you came. Don't cross the path of the bear (or any cubs present). Just go back slowly and don't come back.

I can tell you from experience that is not as easy as it looks. Long story short, Dad and I came face to face with a bear one day while up on a mountain road. Turning and running was not even thought of. It just happened. I can tell you the moment you realize you are not at the top of the food chain you can move pretty quickly.

7. Don't Run
The worst thing you could do at this point would be to get out a snack and feed the bear. The second would be to run. Bears run faster than humans, and think chasing prey is fun.

As I said this is not so easy. Instinct takes over. I am happy to say that both my Dad and I survived this small mistake in bear etiquette.

8. Hello, Tree.
" But bears climb trees" you say. Well yes, black bears do but others don't. Either way if you can get at least 12 feet up in a tree you should be okay. But as that is pretty high up this is not a good option.

9. Grizzly Bear? Play Dead.
If you are faced with a grizzly bear then an option is to curl up into the fetal position, protecting your face and internal organs and play dead. A grizzly will growl and sniff you and hopefully leave you alone. If you are faced with a Black Bear, do NOT play dead. They will be thrilled and start to eat lunch. If you don't know what kind of bear you are facing then don't try this.



He didn't follow the rules.

10. Bang Bang.
If a bear is charging you and you have a gun, now might be a good time to use it. Make sure you have a clean shot because it usually takes more than one bullet to kill a bear and a bad shot may just make it angry.

11. The Fight Of Your Life.
As a last resort you should fight back. Your life depends upon it so do everything you can to survive. Kick, bite, scratch, gouge, you name it. Your life is on the line so use every trick in the book to save your life.



Throwing small children in the path of a bear can also be a good distraction.


So there you have it. All good tips to help you survive a walk in the woods.


Thanks for reading. Shout, vote and subscribe.

Anthony Colby