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Safefy information on being in bear country
This is a compilation of
available information from many resources.
Bear Aware does not
specifically endorse any of these methods. Bears are
individuals and have individual personalities. These methods may
work with most bears, but there will always be exceptions. Read
as much as you can and be as informed as you can when heading
out into the forest for any period of time.
That said, the following pages are also good suggestions:
If you meet a bear
Below are suggestions for possibly
lessening the chance of a bear/human conflict.
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If you meet a bear while hiking: |
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Remain calm |
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DO NOT RUN |
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Leash your dog and
keep it close |
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Slowly back away
while speaking in a calm low voice |
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Let the bear know
you are leaving the trail for the bear |
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Keep talking softly
to identify yourself as human and not a threat |
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Keep your backpack
on |
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Watch the bear but
do not stare it in the eyes |
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Alter your route- do
not continue to hike in the bear’s direction |
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Report if bear
followed you |
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If you meet a bear at home: |
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Remain calm |
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Go indoors |
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Bring children and pets inside |
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Make as much noise as possible |
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Alert your neighbors |
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Report if the bear does not leave easily at noise |
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Determine why was the bear here? |
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- improperly stored
garbage?
-
bird feeder?
-
fruit trees/fruit fall? |
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In the forest: |
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Make the bear feel calm |
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This is the bear’s territory |
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Remain calm |
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Back off slowly, talk softly |
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Hiker should leave! |
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At home: |
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Remain calm |
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Make the bear feel uncomfortable being here |
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Make lots of noise from inside! |
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Bear must leave! |
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Most bear encounters are peaceful and most bears leave when they see
humans. If a bear is allowed to become comfortable around people in
human living areas it usually leads to their having to be destroyed.
There are many good resources in books
and websites, see our
Resources page. |
