What if see bear

What it does mean is that you should be prepared. Keep your dog or cat on a leash, and leave any pungent-smelling food at home, since bears have an acute sense of smell. Most of all, be prepared if you find yourself walking through bear country. Luckily, fatalities from bear encounters are incredibly low: An average of just about three people die each year from a bear attack. You're more likely to die from being stung by a bee.

Like Norcott said, we should feel lucky if we see a bear in the wild - but to feel lucky, you have to live to tell the story. Skip to main content Daily Dodo Wildlife. You can handle it. You just need to know what to do - and what not to do. Don't panic. Make your presence known. Hike in a group of at least three people. Running away might incite a bear to chase you. If a black bear attacks, fight back. If a brown bear attacks, play dead. DO NOT feed bears. Bear Spray Bear spray is a pepper spray specifically made as a bear deterrent and can be an effective tool if you encounter an aggressive bear.

When the bear is unaware of your presence you should: Quietly back away from the bear and leave the area. DO NOT approach the bear. When the bear is aware of your presence and is uninterested you should: Quietly back away from the bear and leave the area.

When the bear is curious and continues to look in your direction, smells the air, or slowly approaches you should: Talk in a calm voice while slowly backing away from the bear. If the bear is defensive it may: Make vocalizations which can include huffing and jaw popping. Retreat up a tree.

Swat at the ground or tree. Lower its head with ears flattened, and sways back and forth. When the bear is defensive you should: Begin repeating "Hey bear" in a calm voice. If the bear continues to be defensive or becomes aggressive it may: Approach you. Begin to follow you. Pick up small children immediately. Hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person.

Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size, groups are also intimidating to bears. Make yourselves look as large as possible for example, move to higher ground.

Do NOT allow the bear access to your food. Getting your food will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for others. Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.

If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways ; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees. Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.

Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs ; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. View all locations. Black bears vs. Black bear with two cubs. Photo credit: Liron Gertsman Grizzly bears are sometimes called brown bears, but they can also be black, brown, or blond. Grizzly bear with three cubs.