Bear Encounters

Camping and Bears Require Pepper Spray!

When you go camping you should have pepper spray in your camping equipment incase you encounter bears at your camping site.  Bear encounters are common at camping locations.

You should have pepper spray should you have a bear encounter . Camping and bears go together like fleas on a dog. You will see a bear while camping in most mountain and treed campsite If you come across a bear here is some of the things to do and not to do.

If you run across a bear there is no hard and fast rule about when and what you do  Bears will react to people in different ways and in different situations.  Depending on the age, sex, health and what season it is.  If a bear is hungry or protecting her cubs they will act differently.  Do not harass or chase a bear when you have a bear encounter.

If on the trail an encounter can be dangerous especially if you surprise the bear or if it is a sow with her cubs, the bear will consider you as a threat and will run away or try and take you out.  So if you have a bear encounter on the trail STOP.

When a bear encounter occurs STOP and try to stay calm and quiet Do Not make any sudden moves or loud noises if you have a dog with you clamp his mouth shut with you hand and hold him back with the other.  Avoid eye contact with the bear.

Size up the situation what type of brae is it black or a grizzly bear.  Can you see any cubs around and if there is cubs where are they compared to you. If traveling with other where are they at and what are they doing. Stay in a group as it is less likely a bear will attach a group of people.

Do not run from a bear It will run you down very quickly. You can not  out run him.  Talk quietly and slowly back up ,give the bear time and the room to leave on his own.  Should the bear keeps coming towards you drop any personal items to distract the bear. 

But hold on to large objects like backpacks as you could us it as a weapon if necessary in case he attacks you.  If you can find a tree which you now you could climb remember you will have to climb at least 13 ft off the ground.  Just so you now bears can climb a tree faster than you.  When you have a bear encounter you must think fast!

If the bear attacks use what ever weapon you have at hand.  If you have bear spray us it when the bear gets in range and spray it at his eyes .this will distract him and give you a chance to escape.

If you do climb a tree you may appear as a less threat to the bear. Be sure to climb up the tree as high as you can go.  Some bears will charge at you and stop or turn before they get to you.  Hold your ground do not turn and run. 

Should the bear come again be ready to use any thing you have to help hold him off.  The dog will be a good distraction at this time but be aware the dog will most likely be seriously injured or worse.

If a bear comes into camp he is looking for human food and garbage. These bears are not afraid of people and are especially dangerous and they no longer fear people.  If your campsite is clean and all food stuffs are stored properly the bear will lose interest and move on.

A bear will often make a bluff charge ,if you run away from the bluff you will trigger a more aggressive attack.  If the bear still progresses and you have pepper spray us it on his nose and eyes. Do not just spray the ground in front of him pepper attracts bears. 

If no escape is possible and you have been knocked over roll into a small ball like a basketball protecting your neck and head with your arms and hands.  Stay in that position even if the bear tries to bite you .Only leave the tuck and roll position once you are sure the bear has left the area.

Should the attack happen at night by a black or a grizzly bear it is a predatory attack then fight back with what ever you have at hand and fight for all you are worth.

But remember bear attacks are few and far between you may encounter bears and they will run away if you make noise on the trail they will hear you and move off. Wild life is part of the outdoor experience so respect them and they will respect you after all you are in their homes.  Be prepared!