Bear Precautions While Hiking

When bears are active in areas where you go hiking, there are some precautions you should take to protect yourself. Become familiar with bears and their behavior. If you stumble upon an area that displays any evidence of bear activity like scat, digging or tracks, leave the area immediately. Hike in groups of three or more, stay alert and maintain an audible conversation while hiking.

  1. Prevent Bear Encounters

    • You can prevent an unwanted run-in with a bear by simply paying attention to your surroundings and making noise while you hike. Most bear mauling incidents involve female grizzly bears with cubs that feel threatened. If you see cubs while hiking, it is best to leave the area promptly. Bears typically approach to within 30 feet of humans and then decide on a course of action . If they hear noise, they usually retreat.

    Control Odors

    • Bears have a very sensitive sense of smell. It is imperative that you control the odors you carry with you, as the scent trail will attract bears. Avoid bringing and cooking foods with strong scents in the woods. Don't wear perfume, cologne or any body lotions. Do not carry soap or deodorant in your packs. If you decide to pause for rest, don't arbitrarily spray bear spray in the area, do not spray bear spray on your clothing or hiking gear. Bears are attracted to the scent unless it is sprayed directly at them in a confrontational situation. Never leave packs with food or toiletries unattended.

    Bring Bear Spray

    • Carry bear spray; it can save your life. Bear spray repels grizzly bears in 90 percent of aggressive encounters. Counter Assault bear spray, the original developer and manufacturer of bear sprays, is highly recommended. If you decide to purchase another brand of bear spray, read the label first. Ensure that the product is approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and that it is designated for deterring attacks by bears. Spray must form a cloud that covers 25 feet for six seconds. The solution must have a concentration ranging between 1.4 percent and 1.8 percent of capsaicin. Suitable sprays will also have a minimum net weight of 7.9 ounces. Carry the spray in a hip holster while hiking and only use the spray for the purpose of deterring an aggressive bear that is within 30 feet. In this scenario, spray a short burst in front of you. If the bear continues to move forward direct another short burst into the bear's face.

    Handling Bear Encounters

    • Prepare yourself mentally for a potential aggressive encounter. Avoid panicking, screaming, running or fighting aggressive grizzly bears. Stay calm and quiet until the bear decides to walk away. Stand your ground and wait for the bear's reaction. Avoid direct eye contact and look down and to the side while keeping the bear in your line of vision. Have everyone stand together closely. Drop a hat or jacket on the ground. Hold your palms out, extending your arms from your chest and back up slowly. Use a soothing monotonous voice. Grizzly bears attack when they feel threatened; remove the threat and they leave. In the worst case scenarios, spray bear spray and pretend to play dead. Stay silent until the bear has completely left the surrounding area. Never take off your pack; you may need it as an extra layer of protection between you and the bear in an emergency.

      Black bear encounters require different procedures. Aggressive responses like yelling, banging pots and pans, or throwing rocks will distract black bears long enough for you to drive the bear away or get away safely. Always report bear encounters to park rangers or the nearest wildlife agency in applicable areas.