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From: Elizabeth Murdock, Endangered Species Expert, National Wildlife Federation
Category: Pick a Topic
Date: 4/22/99
Time: 4:03:38 PM
Actually, it depends what kind of bear is facing you. The first thing you should do is behave properly in bear country, so you can avoid confronting a bear in the wild. That means letting the bear know you are there by making noise and talking. It also means keeping food and trash packed away properly, so that bears don't follow their noses to you.
It is actually extremely uncommon for grizzly bears to attack people. If you are attacked, you can spray the bear in the face with pepper spray to drive it away. But it is important to get an EPA-approved pepper spray, because some brands don't work to deter bears.
If you don't have pepper spray, here are a few tips: Never run. If a grizzly walks toward you on a path, get off the path. You can walk off at an angle to avoid direct contact. If you are in a group, stand shoulder to shoulder so that you look large and numerous. If you are attacked (and again, this is rare), roll into a fetal position, stay as still as possible, protecting your head and neck with your arms. Use bushes or your backpack to help shield your body. Once the grizzly realizes you are not a threat, it will leave you alone.
But don't play dead for a black bear. If you are ever attacked by a black bear, fight back. Black bears also attack very rarely, but when they do, they are looking for a meal. The last thing you want to be is an easy lunch for a black bear.
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