By: Marlene Affeld
Contact between bears and humans have always been wary at best; we both would rather avoid the confrontation. However, on rare occasions, there are circum-stances or conditions that may trigger unusual aggression in bears. The bear may attack as a defensive maneuver. This may lead to a violent encounter, and sometimes death.
While bear attacks and maulings are relatively rare, they do happen. Don't let it happen to you.
Be bear aware. When in bear country seek information from the local authorities about bear conditions, listen to their good advice, use common sense and practice bear safety.
Precautions when camping:
If you don't want bears in your camp, do not send out an olfactory invitation.
Keep a clean camp; store foodstuffs, toiletries and scented items well away from your sleeping area in secure airtight or bear proof containers. Properly dispose of all garbage by burning garbage completely in a hot fire. Please pack out your trash, do not bury it. Garbage and food are equally enticing to bears; treat them with equal care. Wash all dishes and cooking utensils, wipe down tables and coolers. (Using a little household bleach on a clean, wet rag will discourage bees, wasp and flies as well as bears.)
Never feed wildlife.
Cook and eat away from your sleeping area or tent. Never store food, cook or eat near your tent. Avoid odorous foods that attract bears. Keep food smells off your clothing.
Be extremely careful when handling prospecting or camp fuel! Spilled fuel is a strong bear attractant, especially kerosene and diesel. - refill Coleman stoves and lanterns with funnels and over spill containment. Fuel mining equipment, dredges and ATVs well away from your camp site
Wash well, change clothing and remove all scented items before retiring to your tent or sleeping area. (Wear only unscented toiletries - never wear cologne, hair products or scented grooming items in the woods.)
Always keep young children in your sight and supervise their activities. Control your pets - do not allow them to roam free. Pets are best left at home. Dogs can lead an angry bear back to your camp and easily get into conflicts with other wildlife.
Sleep in tents large enough to position gear between you and the tent walls.
Precautions when hiking or prospecting
Pay attention - be vigilant and bear aware. Never hike alone in bear country - make noise by clapping, singing or shouting when in dense brush, heavy foliage or when coming around a blind corner on the trail.
Stay alert. Notice obvious bear habitat signs such as paw prints, bear scat and clawed tree markings.
If you come upon an animal carcass, vacate the area immediately. Bears will feed on a kill for days; remaining in the immediate area to protect their prey. A gathering of vultures or ravens often indicates a dead or injured animal. Avoid these areas.
Be aware of wind direction. Bears have a very keen sense of smell. If the wind is at your back, it is likely the bear will catch your scent and leave the area. If, however, the if the wind is blowing in your face, your scent is carried away from the bear; the likelihood of an encounter will greatly increase. Although bears have a great sense of smell, their hearing is poor. In situations of high wind, or noise from a creek or stream, a bear is unlikely to hear your approach.
Always use extreme caution at night or at either end of day; dusk and dawn are the bear's most active time period.
If you should see a bear cub, it is very likely that the sow is nearby. Female mother bears will aggressively protect their young. It is wise to leave the area immediately. The most dangerous place in the woods is between a mother bear and her cub.
Almost all of the recorded bear attacks on humans in the wild happen to hunters. It is a hunter’s nature to be quiet, wear camouflage and in many cases they are trying to attract other game. Often the bears cannot see the hunter or hear his approach.
Many bear attacks result from hunters suddenly appearing in front of them; startling a bear into an instinctive act of violent aggression. Hunters are in even greater danger when they have game down and are dressing out a carcass.
If you surprise a bear
Be quiet or talk softly; try to remain calm. The time to create a lot of loud noise is before you ever see a bear.
Avoid eye contact with the bear. Use peripheral vision. Like many wild animals, bears interpret direct eye contact as threatening.
Assume a non-threatening posture. Turn sideways, crouch or bend at the knees to appear smaller.
If possible, try to back away slowly and detour around the bear. Don’t continue to move if this seems to agitate the bear’s behavior.
Do not run! A running bear can reach speeds of up to 40 MPH. Even without a heavy pack weighing you down, a human can not outrun a bear. Running will trigger a bear’s attack response.
Drop something such as a camera or water bottle, never food. If you are wearing a backpack, keep your pack on for protection should the bear decide to attack.
If you carry bear deterrent such as spray, bear bangers or a pistol, have it ready. Do not fire pepper spray unless you are sure the bear is close enough to spray it in the face.
If the bear makes contact, protect your chest and abdomen by assuming a fetal position or falling to the ground on your stomach, to reduce the severity of an attack. Cover the back of your neck with your hands. Do not move until you are confident the bear has left the area.
Keep Your Fear In Perspective
Statistically you are 10 times more likely to die from a dog attack than a grizzly bear attack, and 45 times more likely, compared to a black bear attack. In the woods, far more people perish from snake bite, bee stings or lightening than from bear maulings. So, enjoy your outdoor adventures, just remain bear aware.
