What to Do when You Are Face to Face with a Bear

I've only seen a couple bears in the 20 years I've lived in Alaska, but I have heard many more then I have seen. And I always practice bear safety. Even though I've only seen a few from a distance I know what to do if I were ever to come face to face with a bear.

Show yourself as human. Bears are curious animals and will stand up to get a better view of you. Talk to the bear, let it hear your voice, move your arms so it can see your limbs. But do not run. Generally a bear will examine you and then turn. If there is more then one person, stand very close together so that you look larger and more imposing. Do not make eye contact but watch the bear.

Do not run. Bears are fast animals and you will not be able to outrun it. If the bear is advancing, make lots of noise, but human noise, talk very loudly, act a bit aggressive, bang things such as rocks or pans together to make sounds. Do not imitate a bear or scream. Bears will often charge but stop short of attacking you, or come within reach to show they are dominant. Do not run or they will give chase.

If you are attacked, if the bear actually does contact you. You can fight back or play dead. Each has its place. With a grizzly bear, or a female with cubs, play dead. Bears will often attack when threatened but will stop if they feel the threat is eliminated. Lay on your stomach, to protect your insides, and cover the back of your neck with your hands, stay as still as you can and as quiet as you can. Even after the bear has gone stay motionless. A bear often waits and watches or listens to be sure the threat is gone. If you move or make a sound, the bear may come back and begin attacking once more. Bears rarely see a person as food, they generally leave them when they believe you are dead.

Fight back to a bear that breaks into your camping space, or a black bear. Black bears are smaller then grizzlies and can climb trees. Fighting back includes hitting the animal with objects or your fists. Smaller bears tend to back off when faced with a challenge and you may escape safely. If the bear turns and flees. Do not chase it or it will perceive this as an attack and turn to fight back.

Other safety measures include bear spray. Bear spray is specially designed pepper spray. It can be used when the bear is within 20 feet of you. But it has to be sprayed directly into the bears face. And the cans generally only hold one spray so try your best to get it directly in the bears face. Bear spray should only be used if the bear is charging or attacking you.

Firearms can save your life, if you know how to use one properly. If a bear is attacking and you can not get it to stop, using a gun may be your least measure of defense. When it is close, within 30 feet at the farthest aim for the lower neck or chest area. If wounded the bear will turn. Be sure to report that you have shot the bear to fish and game or the police. A wounded bear is a deadly bear.

Report all bear attacks, or near miss bear attacks to fish and game. They need to know if there is a potently dangerous animal as well as document the attack. Bears do not attack for no reason. Generally it is about food, they feel threatened or a person gets between a mother and her cubs. Stay as safe as you can while out in bear country.