The Bear Necessities

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed here are of my own experience, along with research I have conducted. In no way should this be the definitive report on bear interactions or bear safety. Sometimes one can follow all the right “rules” and things still go wrong. While rare, there are bear attacks every year. Each bear experience is unique and unpredictable, so extreme caution should be used when choosing to hike or camp outdoors.

Growing up in the shadow of Glacier National Park, I heard many rules of

what to do when encountering a bear and most of them have been debunked. Things such as “climb a tree” because bears can’t climb is ridiculous because not only are they expert climbers, but black bears will put their cubs up in a tree for protection. “Play dead” is another gem I often heard and “you are safe in the winter because all bears hibernate” is also wrong. Many bears “haven’t read the manual on what they are supposed to do in the winter” (from A Handful of Idiots and a Bunch of Bears by CJ Henley) and some get up to walk around and some spend a good portion of the early winter “napping” here and there before they find the right den. Don’t be lured into a false sense of security just because there is snow on the ground. With that being said, the following information applies to both black and brown bears, not polar bears. If a polar bear is charging, there isn't much you can do because you are on the menu.

Defensive Posture

Defensive, ears back, huffing, swatting at the ground, looking at you, then looking away, moving around, showing you how big he is, indicates that the bear is defensive and is warning you that you are in his space. This is not the time to get out your phone and take a selfie. Take the hint and leave the area by showing strength while retreating. This is done by talking loudly, clapping your hands, slapping your thighs, stopping your feet at the same time you are backing away, all the while keeping your eyes focused on the bear’s behavior. In bear language, you are yielding the ground to him while at the same time showing him you shouldn’t be messed with.

Predatory

A bear is in a predatory mode if his ears are straight up, eyes locked on you, not looking away, head down while advancing towards you. This is the time that you must respond in an aggressive, dominant manner because your life depends on it. Yell very deep and very loud. Show that you are the dominate one. Wave sticks, throw rocks and find a way to get out of there as quickly as possible.

Charge It

I have been charged twice by the same bear and I can tell you that there is absolutely nothing more terrifying. Your heart leaps, your senses go into overdrive, birds stop chirping and the oceans cease their tidal movement as a 700 pound bear is coming towards you. My teenage daughter turned to run, and I grabbed her by the jacket and yelled “do not move” while standing my ground at the approaching wall of fur. Our expert guide threw out his arms and yelled “stop” to the bear, along with some other choice words. The bear being shocked at such bold behavior, stopped in her tracks and slinked off while giving us the stink eye.

Luckily, most charges are bluff charges. The bear is showing dominance and you are being challenged. This is a challenge you must accept by standing your ground and being assertive. Yell deeply, wave your arms, make noise, but do not run as this triggers the predator/prey response and you will be chased and you cannot outrun a bear. It is also important that you don’t make a high-pitched scream, as this can sound like an injured animal and may excite the bear’s predatory behavior even more.

Backpackers in the wilderness of Alaska often carry bear mace, a boat horn and/or a cowbell for noise. Any bear deterrents should be carried in your front pockets because you may not have time to reach around into your backpack and get them out. Even a loud, unusual noise can deter a bear. After spending the night in a tent surrounded by electrical wire in the Katmai National Forest, I had to use the outdoor facilities in the morning. I was dragging a shovel along a rocky path, which was causing a loud commotion. Upon turning a bend my daughter said very calmly, “Mom bear”. I looked up and maybe ten feet from us was an enormous male brown bear. The sound of the shovel on the rocks must have put him on alert, because when he saw us, he looked as surprised as we did. We all stood there looking at each other, and if we weren’t so shocked, his look would have actually been comical. Thankfully, he immediately turned around and left and we backed up, clapping our hands and making noise while we hightailed it back to camp. It is interesting that neither of us had to use the outdoor facilities after that, and when we got back to camp, I may have dove over the electrical fence but that is still under dispute.

If Mama Ain't Happy, No One Is Happy

There is a reason that a woman protecting her children is sometimes called a mama bear because nothing is more fierce than this animal protecting her cubs. She will often fight a male bear hundreds time heavier than her in defense of her young. Special precaution should be taken when stumbling upon her and you should back away as quickly as possible without challenging her. The only situation where playing dead might be effective is if a mama bear has taken you down because you want to show her you are not a threat to her cubs. If a mama bear takes you down, roll up into a tight ball on your side and put your hands around the back of your neck. Do what you can to protect your spine and neck. Sometimes a bear will try to bury you in order to come back for you later. Lay as still as possible and when you think the bear is gone, leave as quietly as possible, knowing that it is probably nearby.

Playing Dead

Most research has determined that this is not the correct response, unless it is a mama bear and then you don't want to appear to be a threat to her cubs. Most experts agree that if a bear takes you down, fight with everything you have. The eyes and nose of the bear are the most sensitive parts. Use what you have to go for those areas. Bears are “not used to having their prey fight back” (from a Handful of Idiots and a Bunch of Bears by CJ Henley), so this may startle them enough to determine that you are just going to be too much work.

The Moody Teenager

Juvenile delinquents, whether human or animals, can be troublemakers. Maybe

they left the den too soon or their mother was killed or they are just up to no good, but after mamas with cubs, these are the ones you need to watch out for as their behavior can be unpredictable. This was the case with the bear that charged me and my daughter.

The Bear Essentials

When hiking or camping in bear country, it is has been said to have the following supplies:

Tent (best to have a tent with no floor in case you have to make an escape)
Communication (GPS, compass, satellite phone)
Lights (flashlights, etc)
Food (food that doesn’t have a strong smell, energy bars, granola)
Water (water, sports drink, carry more than you think you will need)
Clothing (thermal outdoor clothing, rain gear, extra socks to keep your feet dry)
Sun Protection (sunscreen, glasses, hats)
First Aid (Have a complete kit including something to help stop bleeding in case of an attack or a fall)
Tools (knives, etc)
Equipment (bear mace, loud horn, taser, backpacks, gear, sturdy shoes)

If all of this information seems overwhelming, then I would strongly suggest using one of the experienced and professional guides in the directory. From making a hot water bottle out of a can and duct tape to knowing how to stop a charging bear (big thank you to our guide Chase), they have the training and knowledge to help make your outdoor trip a fun and safe experience.

Note: One of the best books I have read on the behavior of bears is titled “A Handful of Idiots and a Bunch of Bears” by CJ Hernley. I read this book before my camping trip to Katmai, and I’m so glad I did. I’m confident her tips saved me and my daughter. Currently, the book is being updated and therefore has been taken off the market. However, it can still be downloaded as an ebook from Amazon. This book will have you laughing hysterically as well as learning about these amazing animals. She also has a “Bear Safety Primer” that is available to purchase from Amazon. When I last contacted her, she was working on another outdoor adventure book after her hike from Alaska to the border of Mexico and California. I can’t wait to read whatever she produces.