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To lessen your chance of meeting bears: |
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Make your presence known with lots of
noise (bears do not want to meet you and will usually leave if they hear
you near them.) Bear bells are no longer believed to be effective. Talk,
sing, whistle. Bears recognize the sound of human voices.
Be very aware that next to water or when the wind is blowing it will be
harder for bears to hear you and you need to be louder. |
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Watch for signs of bear activity- fresh scat/bear trails/bushes down,
bear trails through bushes, stripped bark, logs and stumps torn apart
etc. Take a different route. |
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Travel in a group and stay together. |
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Carry bear spray, know how and when to use it and have it where you can
get to it instantly. Bear spray in a backpack will do you no good in an
emergency. This is only used in very particular circumstances you need
to be aware of. |
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Don’t stop in areas with plenty of bear food. |
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Don’t let your children or dogs run ahead- they may bring a bear back to
you. |
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Before you hike find out if
there have been any bear problems in that area. |
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Avoid hikes in the early morning and at night when bears are most
active. |
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Pay attention, look around, be aware of what is all around you. |
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Avoid dense cover, streams, and edge zones where forest meets the
meadow. |
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Double bag any food you take and avoid bringing strong odorous things
with you. |
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Stay completely away from carcasses and bones. The real owner is
probably nearby and sensitive about ownership! |
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If you are biking, you have a greater chance of surprising a bear and
should be aware that your chances are greater of having a meeting with
one. Be aware around corners and prepared for that chance. |
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If you are jogging/biking/hiking in the forest, leave the headphone
sound system at home. |
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If you are going camping, learn first where and how to camp in bear
territory. |
Hiking
/ biking in bear country
