What to do if a black bear runs at you?

If someone walked into your house uninvited, you would probably take issue with them. When you head into the backcountry, you can put your money on the fact that some wildlife is going to find you pretty interesting too. Mostly, this isn't an issue. But there are animals in the backcountry that - if startled - will go into attack mode and can cause you serious injury or even kill you. Bear attacks are uncommon, but they do happen. The best way to survive a bear attack is to avoid one altogether.

Contents

• How to avoid bear attacks
• Black bears
• Brown bears (grizzly bears)
• Polar bears

Difficulty

Hard

Bears aren't the only animal that may attack if spooked. In the right — or wrong — places, you need to think about the likes of bison attacks, or mountain lion attacks. But with bears throughout most of the U.S. and Canada, not to mention Asia and Europe, here's our guide on how to survive a bear attack.

How to avoid bear attacks

Let's get this clear, we're not advocating that you shouldn't go into the backcountry. To be honest, with human development one of the significant causes of habitat loss, it's increasingly likely that you'll see bears in town, drawn by the lure of food waste. But we want to avoid these sightings becoming encounters and potential attacks. Most bears only attack when startled, and usually, this is when you catch an inquisitive bear in the act of snaffling your food.

In the backcountry, you can take steps to avoid bear encounters. They're easily drawn to campsites for the same reason they're drawn into towns: free food. Hanging a bear bag is something every would-be wildlife camper should know how to do properly. Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it is essential for dealing with encounters. If you hike with a dog, think about how you're controlling it to avoid spooking wildlife.

Alerting bears to your presence is usually the most effective way to avoid startling them. Let's face it, you don't want to come round the corner on a trail and come face-to-face with a furry menace, do you? Well, they don't either. Shout, make yourself known, holler, talk to one another loudly, and generally make some noise. That way, the bear has plenty of time to get out of your way before it all becomes too last minute.

You should also be aware of any cubs around in spring time and avoid getting between a mother bear and her cubs. Bears are protective and will charge and attack if they think you're trying to separate them.

Black bears

Black bears are found in 41 U.S. states, as well as throughout Canada. Though they're named black bears, they can appear in a range of colors and sometimes even look light brown or even blond. Black bears are smaller than their grizzly cousins, usually up to about 6 feet tall.

Black bears are naturally inquisitive creatures and have an incredible sense of smell. They can usually be found foraging for berries or chilling out after a long day. Black bear attacks are rare, but that doesn't mean you should take them any less seriously.

Step 1: Get big and be loud.

Black bears would rather flee than fight. If you make yourself appear as a threat by waving your arms, shouting, and making yourself big, you should scare black bears away.

Step 2: Use bear pepper spray.

If getting big doesn't work, reach for the pepper spray. This works on all bears. Wait until the bear is 10 meters away before unleashing your spray, and then leave the area quickly.

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Step 3: Do not be tempted to run or climb a tree.

By running, you risk sparking the black bear's predatory instinct, and they may decide you look like a tasty treat. Black bears are excellent climbers, and any tree you might shimmy up you can guarantee they will do so much more easily.

Brown bears (grizzly bears)

Brown bears are typically bigger and more aggressive than black bears. They can be told apart by their trademark hump of muscle on the upper back. Brown bears are the most widespread species of bear in the world and can be found throughout Canada, Alaska, Asia, Russia, and in areas of the northwest United States — Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Brown bears can grow up to 6.5 feet and often weigh well in excess of 1,000 pounds.

Brown bear attacks are most common in late spring, where mothers become fiercely protective of their young cubs. Food shortages and curiosity can also lead to brown bear attacks. If you meet a grizzly, stand your ground and do not run. These bears can run at around 35 mph over rough and rocky terrain, so the chances of you outpacing one are pretty low.

Step 1: Stay calm.

Do not shout or make yourself big. Instead, stay calm, keep your bear spray in your hand, and slowly back away while talking in an appeasing voice. Do not turn your back on the grizzly, but move slowly away to show you are not a threat. A grizzly may bluff charge, or bang the ground, to show dominance.

Step 2: Use bear pepper spray.

If backing away doesn't work and the grizzly keeps approaching, be ready with your pepper spray. This is best used at a range of around 10 meters, and once fired, you should move away and out of the area.

Step 3: Play dead.

If the bear continues to attack, or if you don't have pepper spray, your best chance is to play dead. Tuck into a fetal position and protect your neck and head. If you have a backpack, position yourself so that this protects you. Brown bears attack when they feel threatened, and if you remove the threat, they often stop attacking.

Step 4: Don't get up straight away.

Wait around 20 minutes, until you're sure that the brown bear has gone, before getting up again. You're probably going to want to sit down for a few minutes anyway, but make sure you don't suddenly jump up and present the bear with another threat.

Polar bears

Polar bears are enormous and can stand anywhere between 7 and 10 feet tall. Alongside the Kodiak bear — a subspecies of the brown bear — polar bears are the largest bear species in the world. The good news is that unless you specifically head into the Arctic circle, you're unlikely to stumble across a wild polar bear.

If you are going to head into the tundra, though, make sure you're fully prepared. When you're used to being the apex predator of an environment and seeing everything else as prey, it's hard to view an intruder as anything other than the next meal. Polar bears don't see a lot of humans, so be prepared that the largest carnivore on Earth might just want a piece of you. Playing dead or trying to intimidate these bears won't work, so how do you protect yourself from a polar bear attack?

Step 1: Go with a guide or arm yourself.

Firearms are not as effective as bear spray, but this is partly due to the fact that most people have limited experience with a firearm. It's rare to go into polar bear territory without a high-caliber weapon, and most Arctic guides will carry a gun with them.

Step 2: Use bear pepper spray.

As with all other species of bear, pepper spray is your most effective method of fighting off a polar bear.

Step 3: Fight like your life depends on it.

Because it does. The chances of you bettering a polar bear in hand-to-paw combat are pretty slim, but if all else fails you might just have to try your luck. Aim for the eyes and nose and try to avoid those enormous paws. The good news is that if you survive an all-out brawl, you'll be so unusual that you can probably make decent money from a book release.

Make noise and be alert and aware of families of bears, and you should never have to use any of the above methods. But always be ready when you're going into the backcountry.

What to do if a bear is running at you?

How do you scare a black bear away?