If you’ve ever found yourself face to face with a bear, you know how terrifying it can be. While most bears are not aggressive, some are known to attack humans and the consequences can be deadly.
It’s important to know what to do in order to stay safe during an encounter with one of these creatures in the wild.
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Stay calm and avoid sudden movements when encountering a bear. |
| Identify yourself by talking calmly and firmly. |
| Back away slowly while keeping an eye on the bear. |
| Do not run or climb a tree, but wait until the bear leaves the area. |
| Carry bear spray and know how to use it in case of an attack. |
| If attacked, fight back with everything you have. |
Don’t Run
When it comes to running from a bear, you should know that your chances of survival are very slim. In fact, if you run away, the bear might chase after you and kill you. If this happens, your family will be sad.
If you do decide to run away from a bear but get caught by one anyway and die, the best thing to do is not try to fight back because they’re stronger than people and thus can easily overpower us without much effort at all.
You also shouldn’t run in circles around a tree if there’s no other option available because if someone were watching they would think we were crazy or having some sort of seizure.”
The wild is full of surprises that can be dangerous, especially when it comes to its creatures. Check out our guide on the top 10 most dangerous creatures in the wilderness to learn how to spot them and stay safe during outdoor adventures.
Make Yourself Look Big
If you are attacked by a grizzly bear and have time to prepare, make yourself look big. Stand up straight and tall, wave your arms over your head, and hold your hands out in front of you. Try to appear bigger than the bear by making yourself as tall as possible.
If it’s charging at close range, move towards it so that when it hits (and it will), you hit first and with more force than it does. Even if this only buys you a few seconds for escape, doing this will help deter further attacks from the bear.
Best Gear to Make Yourself Look Big During a Bear Encounter
| Gear Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Black Diamond Revolt Headlamp | A headlamp that offers up to 350 lumens of brightness, making it a great tool for nighttime encounters. |
| HEROCLIP Carabiner Clip | A carabiner clip that can hold up to 60 pounds and can be attached to backpacks or clothes to create a banging noise that can scare off bears. |
| Mammut Alnasca Harness | A lightweight harness that can be worn during hikes and climbs, and can also make you look bigger and more intimidating to bears. |
| Polar Bear Hauling Sled | A heavy-duty sled that can be used to carry gear and supplies during long expeditions and also makes for a great visual deterrent when encountering bears. |
| Columbia Sportswear Powder Keg II Snow Pants | A pair of snow pants made with reflective material that can help make you more visible to bears and other wildlife. |
| Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack | A hip pack that can hold supplies and also makes you look bigger and more intimidating to bears. |
| The North Face Fanorak Jacket | A lightweight, wind-resistant jacket that can be worn during hikes and outdoor activities to make you look bigger and more intimidating to bears. |
Be Loud
If you come upon a bear unexpectedly, make as much noise as possible. This is the best way to scare off an aggressive bear and avoid an attack.
You want to be loud enough so that the bear hears you but not so loud that it approaches you. If there are others in your group, they should also be making as much noise as possible to attract attention from other bears nearby and thus scare away this one.
As with any wildlife encounter, if it is safe for you (and if there are other people around), do not yell or blow on your whistle until after the bear has left its area of interest or yours!
When camping or hiking in the wilderness, building a shelter is crucial for survival and protection. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to build a shelter in the wilderness to learn how to make a sturdy and effective shelter using natural resources.
Give The Bear Space To Leave
Do not follow the bear. The more you move toward it, the more agitated it will become.
Do not try to get a picture of it. This can be perceived as aggressive behavior, and could make things worse for both of you!
Do not run away from the bear. Bears have an incredible sense of smell and hearing—if you run away from them, they will chase after you! Also remember that bears can sprint at up to 30 miles per hour on level ground; don’t even try to outrun one!
Don’t try to scare off a bear by throwing rocks or sticks at them either–this could provoke an attack if they feel threatened enough.
Clean water is essential for survival, and knowing how to purify water in the wilderness is a valuable skill. Check out our survival tips and techniques on how to purify water in the wilderness to learn how to make contaminated water safe to drink.
Don’t Move
As you’ve probably seen in the news, bears are not known to be shy when it comes to attacking humans. If you have never been attacked by a bear and you find yourself face to face with one for the first time, there are certain things that will make the encounter far more dangerous than if you stay still.
Performing any sudden movements or running away from a grizzly bear will only cause it to attack. You cannot outrun a grizzly bear, and even if you could run faster than one for long enough, eventually your stamina will give out (and then there’s no telling what might happen).
By all means, stay calm and do not panic; this may feel difficult in such stressful circumstances, but remaining as still as possible is key here. Your best bet is to lie on the ground flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck so that they look like ears: don’t move at all!
Best Gear to Use When You Need to Stay Still During a Bear Encounter
| Gear Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Sitka Gear Downpour Jacket | A waterproof and windproof jacket that is also breathable, making it comfortable to wear when you need to stay still for extended periods of time. |
| QuietKat Ranger Electric Hunting Bike | An electric bike that is equipped with fat tires and can be used to get away from bears quickly and quietly without needing to make sudden movements. |
| havalon Piranta-Edge Knife | A folding knife that has a replaceable blade, making it ideal for cutting things like rope or branches silently. |
| Black Diamond Apollo Lantern | A lantern that provides up to 250 lumens of bright LED light and can be used in situations that require you to stay still and quiet. |
| Tactacam Solo WiFi Action Camera | A compact camera that can be used to monitor bear movements without needing to make sudden movements. |
| Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Compression Cube Set | A set of compression bags that can reduce the size of your gear and keep it organized, allowing you to access items without making noise. |
| Danner Men’s Gila 6-Inch Hunting Boot | A sturdy, waterproof boot that is designed for hunting and outdoor activities and can help you move quietly and stealthily when necessary. |
Don’t Play Dead
There are a few different myths surrounding what to do if you come face-to-face with a bear, but the most common is that playing dead will help you survive. However, this isn’t true…
Staying still and being quiet won’t save your life if you’re attacked by a grizzly (or any other type of bear). The animal has already decided that it wants to eat you, so doing anything else will only make things worse.
You can try climbing up a tree or throwing rocks at the bear in order to scare it away from you—but don’t climb too high into the tree because then there’s no way for help to reach your location!
The materials used in building a shelter can determine how well it will protect you from the elements. Check out our list of the top 15 materials for building a shelter to learn which ones are most effective and easy to find in a survival situation.
Don’t Provoke The Bear
Grizzly bears are opportunistic predators who will attack to defend themselves or their cubs, and they may charge if they feel threatened. The best way to avoid a bear encounter is to not attract them in the first place by following these simple tips:
Don’t approach one too closely. If you see an animal in the distance, don’t get too close for a better view or photograph let it be on its own terms.
If the animal approaches you, move away slowly and calmly so that it knows you’re not interested in confrontation (this is called “giving space”).
Stay quiet when hiking through bear country so as not to startle any nearby wildlife with sudden sounds like clinking equipment or crunching footsteps on dried leaves that could indicate your presence; use your voice only when necessary (e.g., calling out “bear!”) or making sure not even this sound doesn’t startle an approaching grizzly by whispering instead of shouting (“bear”).
Keep food odors contained with odor-proof bags rather than leaving trash around campsites where bears might find it later—remember: no food storage means no food!
Best Gear for Avoiding Bear Provocation During an Encounter
| Gear Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Igloo MaxCold Cooler | A large, insulated cooler that can safely store food and attractants, reducing the need to carry food in backpacks or bags. |
| Katadyn Vario Water Filter | A water filter that can easily purify water from rivers, lakes, and streams in case you need to refill water bottles or hydration bladders without affecting the water sources around you. |
| Zomake Pop Up Privacy Tent | A portable and lightweight tent that can be used as a restroom or for changing clothes without leaving behind human scents that can attract bears. |
| Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power Station | A portable power station that can keep electronic devices charged without the need for noisy generators or power cords. |
| Ruffwear Core Cooler Dog Harness | A dog harness that has built-in cooling capability, helping to keep dogs comfortable and calm during outdoor activities while avoiding bear-provoking behaviors. |
| Big Agnes Sunbeam Sleeping Bag | A sleeping bag that is made with recycled insulation to maximize warmth and reduce noise, achieving peaceful sleeping without disrupting wildlife or raising unwanted attention. |
| BioLite FirePit+ Smokeless Portable Fire Pit | A portable fire pit that can be used to cook, keep warm, and create a good visual deterrent against bears during outdoor trips. |
Know Your Bear Safety History
If you are in a wilderness area, it is important to know your bear safety history. Knowing this information will help you understand the behavior and habits of bears, which can help prevent an attack from occurring in the first place.
Bears tend to be solitary animals, but when they do come together, it is usually during mating season and denning season (when female bears give birth).
During these periods of time, they may become more aggressive because they are protecting their cubs or territory.
Bears have seasonal food sources: berries in summertime and acorns/nuts in wintertime! This will also impact their behavior during those seasons; for example if there are fewer berries available then a mother bear might not be able to find food for her cubs so she may become more aggressive looking for other food sources such as livestock on nearby farms or garbage cans near cabins where humans live.
Building a shelter in the wilderness requires a particular set of skills and knowledge. Check out our ultimate guide on building a shelter in the wilderness to learn all the steps, tips, and tricks you need to know to build a shelter that can keep you safe and comfortable.
Carry Bear Spray With You
Know how to use bear spray. It’s important to be familiar with the best way of using it, so that you can avoid accidentally spraying yourself when you need it most. Bear spray should be stored in a holster that allows easy access.
There are many types of holsters on the market and some are better than others for different situations. Look for one that has a quick release button so that there is less chance of fumbling around while running away from an angry bear.
Choose your bear spray carefully! There is no one size fits all here: different brands have different strengths and chemicals in them, so use caution when choosing which type will work best for your needs (elderly people may want extra strength).
Always Have A Clear Escape Route
Don’t get too close to the bear. As soon as you see it, back off slowly without turning your back on the bear. The grizzly is watching you and will pick up on any signs of aggression or fear. If there are others around, tell them to stand still and not make any sudden movements.
Don’t get between a mother and her cubs. Females will attack without hesitation if they feel threatened or their young are threatened by you at all
Have A First Aid Kit On Hand
You should always be prepared for the worst-case scenario, and in this case that means having a first aid kit on hand.
Have one at home, in your car, and especially in your hiking pack or tent. If you happen to be camping with friends or family members who don’t have their own kits there are plenty of ways to work together: share supplies from each of your kits or create some sort of makeshift one out of whatever materials you have on hand (such as duct tape).
It’s also important to know how to use everything within this kit. Make sure everyone knows how to apply bandages correctly so that they can do it quickly when needed!
Stay Calm And Collected
If you’re in a situation where a bear is acting aggressively, stay calm. Playing dead, running or making loud noises will only provoke the bear and increase the chances of it attacking.
Bears are naturally wary of humans and want to avoid us whenever possible. In most cases, if you stay still and don’t run away from the animal it will back off because it thinks that you are not a threat.
If a bear approaches your location then leave immediately or make yourself appear as big as possible by standing up straight and spreading out your arms wide (similar to what gorillas do).
Try not to make direct eye contact with the bear because this may be seen as aggressive behavior on your part. Also try not to stare at its eyes since this could trigger an attack instinct in the animal’s mind which tells them something is wrong with their prey (you).
Conclusion
You might have to deal with a bear attack in your lifetime. All you can do is stay calm, keep your cool and try not to panic.
If you get over-excited or aggressive, it will only make things worse. This is why it’s so important that we take the time today and learn some basic bear safety techniques because they might just save your life when the time comes!
Here’s the Further Reading section in markdown language:
Further Reading
National Park Service’s Guide to Bear Safety: A comprehensive guide on how to avoid bear encounters and what to do in case of an attack.
The Guardian’s What to Do in a Bear Encounter or Attack: An informative article that provides tips and information on how to react and behave in a dangerous bear encounter or attack.
WebMD’s How to Survive a Bear Attack: A useful resource that discusses how to prepare for bear encounters in the wilderness and what to do in case of an attack.
FAQs
How common are bear attacks?
Bear attacks are relatively rare, but they do happen on occasion.
What attracts bears to humans?
Bears are attracted to food and garbage, so it’s important to keep all food and scented items stored properly to avoid attracting bears.
How fast can a bear run?
Bears can run at speeds of up to 30 mph, making it difficult for humans to outrun them.
Should I play dead during a black bear attack?
Playing dead is recommended for black bear attacks, but not for grizzly bear attacks.
How can I prevent a bear attack?
Some ways to prevent bear attacks include avoiding confrontations, making noise while hiking to alert bears of your presence, and carrying bear spray as a defense.
Hi! I’m Hellen James, and I am the founder of Unified Survival. I have a deep passion for the wilderness and everything that goes along with it. I’ve been hiking since I was a child, and I grew up camping in state parks all over the country. But it wasn’t until recently that I learned how to survive in the wilderness.