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Most bears are
simply curious,
if anything, but with attacks on the rise,
they have been labeled as extremely dangerous.
Animal encounters are relatively rare, but when they attack,
the result can be brutal – possibly fatal. It is a situation that
many of us never prepare for, because it just doesn’t come
to mind. We never think that, while we’re hiking a trail in the
woods, a cougar will jump out at us. We never plan for the
day when a bear decides to chase us down.
Statistically, outdoor enthusiasts are more likely to get lost or
fall into a ravine than they are to be attacked by a wild animal.
Therefore, it is understandable that the thought of an attack
rarely ever comes up. However, if you plan ahead, you’re al-
ways prepared for the worst – and the unthinkable – which
gives you the ultimate advantage. From bears to wolves,
you’ll learn what to do (and what not to do!) if you ever cross
paths. These preparations will allow you to enjoy nature’s
wild and wonderful world without worry, should you ever find
yourself face to face with one of these dangerous animals.
BEARS
Most bears are simply curious, if anything, but with attacks
on the rise, they have been labeled as extremely dangerous.
If you see a bear and the bear does not see you, turn around
and go back, or circle around the bear with as much distance
you can get between the two of you. If the bear notices you,
or sees you before you see it, then it may stand up on its
hind legs and “peek” at you. This is the curiosity getting the
best of the bear, and you should not be alarmed. Raise your
arms up and make yourself taller. You can use whatever you
have on your person or around you to help do this, such as
lifting your pack over your head or waving sticks around.
Often times, the bear will step down and retreat.
Bears are dangerous animals, but the younger ones are usu-
ally more aggressive, so if a bear charges you, this is most
likely the reason. Many times, a bear will ch arge to challenge
you, which means they’ll get very close and then turn sud-
denly, leaving you in the clear. If a bear starts to charge, DO
NOT RUN. Running will trigger their predatory instinct and
they will chase after you; it wouldn’t matter if you were cap-
tain of the track team, there is no outrunning a bear. Instead,
stay as calm as possible, and speak in low tones, wave your
arms, make big movements with your limbs, and show the
bear that you’re standing your ground. The bear will most
likely stop and turn around.
If the bear continues to charge and actually makes contact
with you, fight! Use whatever you can to hit the bear and try
to get it off of you. Keep in mind, if you’re struggling for a few
moments and the bear is continuously attacking, your best
bet (and last resort) is to use the old “playing dead” trick. Most
bears will stop attacking something once it’s no longer mov-
ing, as this tells the bear that there is no more threat. Cover
your head with your hands and remain in a fetal position to
protect yourself.