Avoiding Bear Encounters
Stay alert! Watch for bear signs. Overturned rocks or broken-up rotted logs can be signs a bear has been foraging for grubs or insects. Claw marks on trees, tracks in the dirt, bear scat, plant root diggings, berries on the ground, or fur on the bark of trees are all signs that bears have been in the area.

If you smell or see a dead animal leave the area immediately. Make noise as you walk, especially in dense bush where visibility may be limited or around rivers or streams where hearing is limited. Talk loudly or sing songs. Your voice will help bears identify you as human. If a bear hears you coming, it will usually avoid you.

Keep all dogs on a leash and under control. Dogs may be helpful in detecting bears but they may also fight with bears or lead them back to you.

Avoid wearing scented cosmetics and hair products. Bears may be attracted by the odor.

When hiking in the back country, check with the appropriate authorities prior to setting out (local wildlife officer, park warden, etc.) to see if there has been any reported bear activity along your planned route.

If You Encounter A Bear

Note: There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to bears but the following tips may help. Remain calm and assess the situation. Try to identify what type of bear you are dealing with -- grizzly bear or black bear. If the bear is at a distance and is not displaying any aggressive behavior, back away slowly moving in the direction from which you came. Watch the bear but avoid making direct eye contact.

Do not approach or feed the bear.

If You Are Followed By A Bear

Watch the bear carefully. Try not to make eye contact. If the bear is aware of your presence but is still at some distance, try to warn it off. Extend your arms above your head and try to make yourself appear as large as possible. Talk to the bear in a deep, gruff voice.

Continue to back away. Move slowly. Never run! Bears can run much faster than you can.

If the bear continues to follow you, drop your backpack or some other item to distract it. It is best not to drop food but if food is all you have, then drop it.

Grizzly Bears
If a grizzly follows you, consider climbing a tree. Make sure you can get at least 10 feet off the ground.

If a grizzly bear attacks you, play dead. Roll into a fetal ball with your legs pressed to your chest and your head tucked into your knees. Lace your fingers behind your neck with your elbows over your knees. This is the best position to protect your head, neck and vital organs. Remain in this position until you are sure the bear has left the area.

Black Bears
If a black bear follows you; continue to back away slowly speaking in low tones. It is not advisable to climb a tree. Black bears are excellent climbers and feel at home in trees.

Black bears that make blowing or snorting noises, swat the ground or charge you only to veer off at the last second are acting defensively continue to back away slowly. If a black bear attacks you, FIGHT BACK!! Hit the bear with everything you've got...sticks, stones, your fists. Yell at the bear in a deep gruff voice.

Close Encounters
In a close or sudden encounter, remember this rhyme: If the bear is a black, fight back. If it's a brown, fall down. Brown in this case refers to the grizzly or brown bear species.

How do I know if I have encountered a problem bear?

If you spot a bear but are in no immediate danger, don't worry. Anytime you get out of the cities and into America's great outdoors, you are in bear country. It is not unusual for bears to wander into campsites or backyards. If you have taken precautions, the bear will find nothing of interest and will likely move on. If the same bear returns again and again or is following you without making any noise, you may have a problem bear. Try and establish what has attracted the bear.

Remember, problem bears aren't born; they're made.
Be Bear Safe: Their Fate Is In Your Hands!