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Even with the best-laid plans, we may at some time encounter a bear. It is important that we know how to react in these situations. Much of the advice given here is based on the findings of Stephen Herrero, world-renowned bear expert from the University of Calgary. This advice applies most specifically to grizzly bears, although much of it is applicable to black bears as well.

• If you see a bear and a cub is in view, retreat. Do this by walking backward slowly while keeping an eye on the bear(s). Almost 75% of the grizzly attacks Dr. Herrero has documented involved mothers.
• If a carcass is in view, ditto.
  
• If you see a bear at a distance (150-200 m) but the bear hasn’t noticed you:
  • Make a wide berth around the bear
  • Stay quiet and downwind
• If you see a bear at a distance and the bear sees you:
  • If the bear is in the general direction in which you are heading, double back on the route you came
  • If the bear is significantly off to the side, you may try making some noise, beginning with soft speech and elevating that to louder conversation (with yourself, the bear or companions).  Avoid eye contact with the bear.
• If the bear is closer to you, you have more potential for a problem, since bears have a very enlarged notion of personal space. In 90% of the cases Dr. Herrero documented people were unaware of the bear until is was within 55 meters. In these cases:
  • Stop, stay calm, and stay quiet (easy to say, of course).
  •  Break eye contact.  Bears understand eye contact as an aggressive gesture.
  •  Look for signs of agitation or aggression.A bear sniffing the air is a bear trying to find out more about you 
    • Lower and swing its head while making huffing or woofing noises
    • Snap or pop its teeth together
    • Slap its front paws on the ground
    • Pull back its ears (just like a dog or cat)
  • Do not run!!!  Donovan Bailey can run about 10 m/s on a flat track; a bear can run at about 13 m/s on rough terrain.
  •  Back away slowly, speaking in a low soft, monotone voice, still avoiding eye contact.
  • Get your pepper spray ready by removing the safety tab.
  • Remain standing tall so that the bear recognizes you as human.
  • If in a group, gradually move closer together as you back away.
• If the bear walks toward you:
  • Back away out of its path
  • As you back away, drop non-food items like hats, bandanas, water bottles, jackets or cameras to distract it.
  • If you have a pencil flare, this would be the time to use it.
  • If it is a grizzly, you might consider trying to climb a tree, but you would need to be able to get 15 feet above the ground in a very big hurry.

 The advice in the next section applies to grizzlies in specific.       

• If a bear charges you:
  • Stand your ground.  Most charges are “bluff” charges, and the bear will usually stop short or veer away.
  •  Do no run or even walk away.  This may provoke an attack.
  •  If the bear stops the charge, continue to back away slowly, talking quietly.
  •  If the bear charges again, stand your ground again.
• If a bear comes within 15 to 20 feet of you and you have pepper spray, use it:
  • Start with short bursts of spray to the animal’s face
  •  If this doesn’t deter it, empty the can in its face.  Remember, in the long run, this is beneficial for the bear as well as for you.  A bear that avoids humans is a bear that will live longer.
•  If a grizzly bear makes physical contact:
  • Lie face down.
  • Put your hands behind your neck to protect your face.
  • Spread your legs to make it difficult for the bear to turn you over
  • If the bear does turn you over, continue rolling until you are face-down again.
  • Remain silent and passive.  Stay that way until you are sure that the bear is gone, then leave the area immediately.
  • Head in the opposite direction from the bear
  • If the bear continues to maul you, you may need to fight back with all available resources (knives, sticks, rocks, …)

 The advice in the next section applies to black bears in specific.       

• If attacked by a black bear:
  • Defend yourself aggressively