What to Do If You See a Bear
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Seeing a bear in the wild is exciting. It's also the moment when a few simple choices matter a lot. The good news: most bear encounters end without anyone getting hurt, and most bears would much rather avoid you than deal with you.
Here's what park rangers recommend, step by step. One thing to keep in mind before we start: every bear and every situation is different, and advice can vary from park to park. When you visit bear country, check with the local visitor center for the latest guidance.
This guide is for American black bears and grizzlies (brown bears) in North America. Polar bears in the Arctic, and bears on other continents, call for their own local safety advice.
First rule: don't surprise a bear
The best encounter is the one that never happens. Most bears move away when they hear people coming, so let them hear you.
- Make some noise on the trail. Talk, or call out "Hey, bear!" now and then, especially around blind corners, thick brush, streams and berry patches.
- Hike in a group. Groups are louder and smellier than one person, so bears notice them from farther away. A group is also more intimidating to a bear.
- Pay attention. Fresh tracks, scat or torn-up logs mean a bear may be nearby.
If the bear hasn't noticed you
Don't try to get closer, and don't try to get its attention. Quietly back away and take a detour, or wait at a safe distance until the bear moves on. Always leave the bear an easy way out.
If the bear has noticed you
Let it know you're a human. Stand still, talk to the bear calmly in a low voice, and slowly wave your arms. This helps the bear recognize you as a person, not a prey animal.
Don't panic if it stands up. A bear may come a little closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not about to attack.
Watch for signs of stress. A bear that feels crowded may huff or "woof," yawn, drool, growl, snap its jaws or lay its ears back. These are warnings: you're too close. Give it more space.
If the bear isn't moving, back away slowly and sideways. Moving sideways lets you keep an eye on the bear without tripping, and it doesn't look threatening.
Pick up small children right away, and keep your group together. Making yourselves look bigger helps, for example by moving to higher ground.
What not to do
- Don't run. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse, uphill and downhill. Like dogs, they may chase anything that flees. If a bear follows you, stop and hold your ground.
- Don't climb a tree. Both black bears and grizzlies can climb, and black bears are excellent climbers.
- Don't panic, scream or make sudden moves. A scream or a high-pitched squeal can sound like prey and may trigger an attack.
- Don't imitate bear sounds. Your growl won't impress anyone. Keep talking calmly instead.
- Don't drop your pack. It protects your back, and if the bear gets your food, it learns that people mean snacks. That's bad news for the next hiker and for the bear.
If the bear charges
Stay calm, don't run and stand your ground. Bears sometimes "bluff charge": they run at you and then turn away at the last second. Keep talking calmly, and be ready to defend yourself in case it isn't a bluff. This is when bear spray is most useful (see below).
Be extra careful with a mother and cubs
Never get between a mother bear and her cubs, and never approach them. The chance of an attack goes up sharply if she thinks you're a threat to her cubs.
If a bear attacks: it depends on the bear
Attacks are rare. Most bears are only protecting their food, their cubs or their space. But if it happens, the right response depends on the species and the situation.
The key question is why the bear is attacking. Most attacks are defensive: the bear was surprised or is protecting cubs or food, and it wants the threat gone. A rare few are predatory: the bear sees you as food. You want a defensive bear to decide you're harmless, and a predatory bear to decide you're not worth the trouble. These are general guidelines, not a sure way to read a bear's mind: every encounter is different.
Brown bear or grizzly: keep your pack on and play dead. Lie flat on your stomach, clasp your hands behind your neck to protect your head and neck, and spread your legs so the bear can't easily flip you over. Stay quiet and still, and wait several minutes after the bear leaves before you get up. If the attack keeps going, fight back hard and aim for the face.
Black bear: don't play dead. Try to get to a safe place, like a car or a building. If you can't escape, fight back with whatever you have, and aim your kicks and blows at the bear's face and muzzle.
Any bear that stalks you, or attacks you in your tent: don't play dead. If you're being followed, get your bear spray ready and head for a car or building if you can. If it attacks, fight back with anything you have. This kind of attack is very rare, but it can mean the bear sees you as food.
Not sure how to tell a black bear from a grizzly? Don't go by color: black bears can be brown, cinnamon or even blond. Look at the shape instead. Grizzlies have a big shoulder hump and a "dished" face; black bears have no hump and a straighter face.
Carry bear spray, and know how to use it
Rangers call bear spray highly successful at stopping aggressive bears. A few things to know:
- Choose an EPA-registered spray made for bears. Bear spray and pepper spray for people are not the same.
- It's a defensive tool, not a repellent. Never spray it on yourself, your tent or your gear.
- Keep it where you can reach it fast, not buried in your pack.
- Check whether your park allows or recommends it for your trip.
Never walk up to a bear for a photo
A calm bear can stop being calm very quickly. National parks such as Lassen Volcanic ask visitors to stay at least 100 yards (about 90 m) from bears. Use binoculars or a zoom lens instead.
Quick checklist
- Make noise on the trail and hike in a group.
- Saw a bear first? Back away quietly and detour.
- It saw you? Stand still, talk calmly, wave your arms slowly.
- Never run, never climb a tree, never scream.
- Back away slowly and sideways. Keep your pack on.
- Stay far away from mothers with cubs.
- Attacked by a grizzly or brown bear: play dead. By a black bear, or in your tent: fight back.
- Carry bear spray and keep it within reach.
The best way to avoid an angry bear is to stop poking it. Just saying.