Bear Attack Protection

Bears belong to the largest carnivores on Earth. We will talk mainly about American/Asian black bears, brown bears and partly about polar bears. The family is much larger, including pandas, spectatled bears or sun bears (teddy bears are not included :)

The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is more rare in North America (lives mainly in Europe and Asia). However, you can encounter it in Alaska, Western Canada and even in the north western states of USA, especially Washington and Idaho (see map). Here live especially Grizzlies (Ursus arctos horribilis) and Kodiaks (Ursus arctos middendorffi), which are subspieces of brown bear.

There are around 200,000 pieces living around the world, more than a half in Russia. The United States and Canada are habitat for around 50,000 brown bears. They are mainly nocturnal animals; they hibernate during winter months, but can be woken easily.

It's not so easy to see a bear in wilderness, however, you should know, where you can be surprised.

The black bear (Ursus americanus) lives all around Canada and especially in the north-west, but it can be found in many states also in the eastern part and even in Florida (see map) - wherever is a remote forested area, black bear can live there. There are for over 500,000 black bears in North America, almost half of it in USA. They hibernate in October or November, and remain hibernated for 3 to 5 months.

Unless you are a polar explorer or indigenous inhabitant of Canada, you will hardly ever meet polar bear, except ZOOs. And that's good - these snowwhite fluffy beasts are the most dangerous bears on Earth. The live around polar circle; their population has around 20,000 members and is still declining. However, in recent years, polar bears been watched descending close to some town in Alaska and Canada.

Bears are one of the largest mammals, reaching weight of several hundreds kilograms. Naturally, their attacks are very dangerous, resulting often in serious injuries with long term consequences, or even death, no matter if the beast attacks you with fangs and claws, or just punches you. However, if you are prepared, you can minimize to chance of bear encounter almost down to zero.

Rule #1 - be heart! Wild bears are very shy - if they hear problems coming, they withdraw (no matter how superior in terms of power they are). However, if you catch them with their pants off (especially with clubs), they may choose hit-n-run tactic. Therefore never enter woods, shrubs (bears love berries!), and other terrain with lower visibility unnoticed. Talk with your friends, whistle and be noisy. Since most of us can't sing 8 hours non-stop, there are little tools to help you - various hiking bells. You can attach them to your boots, bag, or walking stick. The make gentle sound, which can be heart by bears miles away.

Rule #2 - camp safely Bears like to search for goodies (Yogi Bear was actually quite real...) and your campsite may be a real feast. Never throw food remains around the camp and keep all food well packed and boxed. Don't store it in or near your tent (bear doesn't care you are sleeping next to it).

Rule #3 - take a bear mace can with you Unless you have a good rifle (.22 pistol won't do much), take at least bear mace spray with you. It's a large can of very strong pepper spray, which can hit a bear 10-30 feet away. Don't think it will kill a bear - but it can incapacitate it for some minutes, so he can make up his mind and back off. It is especially great to scare the bear away (if it's walking around your camp, but not attacking)

Some clubs may try to follow you. They look cute, but you ar ein very dangerous situation. Try to scare them away immediately (if their mother is not around).

You did everything, and still - here it is! Just few feet away, huge ball of fur, claws and fangs! What to do?

Read the body language Bear standing on his back feet, or moving head from side to side, is probably not going to attack. If a bear moves his ears back and looks into your eyes, it's worse - you are worrying him. Bear may charge several times against you, without actually attacking you. Then it may turn around, or attack you from different angle.

Face the bear, but don't look into its eyes Bear can run up to 35 miles per hour, so don't even think about running. Have your bear mace in hand, but don't use it unless you can have 100% face hit. Start walking backwards slowly, talk gently, don't make any fast movements. The bear doesn't want to eat you, he is just afraid of you - you have to reassure him you are not a threat. Don't shout or scream.

If the bear charged against you, the 'fun' begins. Use your bear mace, and try to hit the beat in face. Bear mace cans are usually big enough to create a protective fog between you and the bear, but be sure you keep something for direct hit (mace can give you up to 10 second stream). You may try to seek refuge by climbing on a tree, but be aware most of the bears can climb trees quite comfortably. If you decide to climb, be sure there is enough time for you to reach at least 10feet, before the bear reaches you. If you stand against Grizzly, it's the best to roll into ball and protect your head, neck and belly. Don't throw away your backpack - it's another protective layer.

If you stand against a black bear, try to fight back (they are more timid) - hit it with rock, knife, club, or just fist, aim for its nose and eyes.