How to Avoid a Bear Attack

There are so many places to run into a bear these days, national parks, state parks, hiking trails, in the mountains and may be even your own back yard. It is important to know how to avoid a bear attack if you meet up with one. Bears will not go after someone that they deem scarier than themselves or if it is already dead. Whatever you choose to do, never turn and run. You will never be able to outrun a bear. If you run, they will instinctively chase you. Bears can climb trees, also.

Prevention Is The Key To Avoid A Bear Attack

Stay away from bears in the first place to avoid an attack. It may not be easy, but you can at least stop attracting them. Do not leave food outside at your campsite. Do not leave food inside the tent with you. Seal food up in coolers or other containers and leave them locked inside your car or hang them from a tree that is far from your campsite.

Stand Tall With Your Arms Pointed to the Sky To Avoid A Bear Attack

If you encounter a bear, immediately stand up as tall as you can and raise your arms to the sky. Start growling and acting as scary as you can. Be as loud as possible. Slowly begin to take steps backward. Do not turn and run. Keep walking backwards, growling with your arms tall until you are out of sight of the bear. Only when you are completely out of sight of the bear can you turn around and walk normally.

If you are with other people, all members of your party should do the same thing. If one person runs, that will be the person the bear runs after. If two or more people run, you will not know who he is chasing until he catches up to them. So, do not run to avoid a bear attack.

Play Dead To Avoid A Bear Attack

If you are inside your tent, close to the ground or in another spot where it is difficult to back away slowly from the bear, you may want to consider playing dead to avoid a bear attack. To play dead you should not move at all. Stay completely still and appear lifeless if possible. You do not need to close your eyes, but do not move them around if they are open.

Continue to play dead until the bear leaves and is out of sight.

If the bear does attack you, fight as hard as you can. Hit him in the face, poke him in the eye and do your best to protect your neck and head which are your most vulnerable parts.