Tips for Safely Hiking in Bear Country

The following advice is designed to help you safely go hiking in bear country. The thought of being attacked by an animal that is larger, faster, and stronger can be scary but before you cancel your hiking trip let's see if that fear is rational. While many people venturing out into the wilderness for the first time are petrified of bears, the truth is that bears are statistically unlikely to attack you. According to a 2002 article by CNN (referenced below), there were 133 people in North America killed by bears in the last century. That means about 1.3 people per year are killed by bears. The article notes that people are more likely to be killed by deer or dogs than by bears. Hikers are much more likely to die in a traffic accident on the way to bear country than to be harmed by a bear. However, bears do pose some risk to hikers and being prepared can make the trip more enjoyable.

The good news is that for the most part, bears are about as interested in attacking humans as humans are in being attacked. Most hikers that get into trouble walk into likely bear areas quietly and surprise the bear or worse get in between the bear and her cubs. When hiking into thick brush in bear country make noise to let any nearby bears know that you are coming. Hikers can sing songs, talk loudly, or otherwise make noise so that they do not unexpectedly end up too close to a bear. Bear bells are another option. These devices are simple bells that make noise as the hiker walks. Most have a magnetic dampener to quiet it when not needed. (Here is a link to an inexpensive bear bell)

Another way that hikers can prevent problems with bears is to keep a safe distance from the bears. If you see a bear while hiking don't try to get close to it. If you top a hill and spot a bear on the next hill, observe it from there. Make some noise so that the bear sees you and travel in an opposite direction. If you do end up way to close to a bear, stay calm and move away. Don't try to hide as the bear may become interested in learning what you are. Simply make your presence known and calmly continue on your way. If a bear follows do not run from it. Make sure the bear knows that you see it but act neither scared nor threatening.

Remember to keep food and food smells away from you and your gear. Those who are fishing in the backcountry need to be careful to wash fish smell off of their hands and to not get it on their clothes. Carry fish away from the water on a stringer or in a container that can be quickly dropped if a bear shows interest.

For more information on safety in bear country visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/forest_facts/safety/bearfacts.htm