Bears, like humans, use trails and roads. Don't set up camp close to a trail they might use. Detour around areas where you see or smell carcasses of fish or animals, or see scavengers congregated. A bears food may be there and if the bear is nearby, it may defend the cache aggressively.  

Don't Crowd Bears!  
Give bears plenty of room. Some bears are more tolerant than others, but every bear has a "personal space"--the distance within which a bear feels threatened. If you stray within that zone, a bear may react aggressively. When photographing bears, use long lenses; getting close for a great shot could put you inside the danger zone.  

Bears are Always Looking for Something to Eat!  
Bears have only about six months to build up fat reserves for their long winter hibernation. Don't let them learn that human food or garbage is an easy meal. It is both foolish and illegal to feed bears, either on purpose or by leaving food or garbage that attracts them.  

Cook away from your tent. Store all food away from your campsite. Hang food out of reach if possible. If no trees are available, store your food in airtight or specially designed bear proof containers. Remember, pets and their food may also attract bears.  

Keep a clean camp. Wash your dishes. Avoid smelly food like bacon and smoked fish. Keep food smells off your clothing. Burn garbage completely in a hot fire and pack out the remains. Food and garbage are equally attractive to a bear, so treat them with equal care. Burying garbage is a waste of time. Bears have keen noses and are great diggers.  

If a bear approaches while you are fishing, stop fishing. If you have a fish on your line, don't let it splash. If that's not possible, cut your line. If a bear learns it can obtain fish just by approaching fishermen, it will return for more.  

  
If you see a bear, avoid it if you can. Give the bear every opportunity to avoid you. If you do encounter a bear at close distance, remain calm. Attacks are rare. Chances are, you are not in danger. Most bears are interested only in protecting food, cubs or their "personal space." Once the threat is removed, they will move on. Remember the following:  

Identify Yourself  
Let the bear know that you are human. Talk to the bear in a normal voice. Wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you. If a bear cannot tell what you are, it may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening. You may try to back away slowly diagonally, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground.  

Don't Run  
You can't outrun a bear. They have been clocked at speeds up to 35 mph, and like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Bears often make bluff charges, sometime to within 10 feet of their adversary, without making contact. Continue waving your arms and talking to the bear. If the bear gets too close, raise your voice and be more aggressive. Bang pots and pans. Use noisemakers. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.  

If Attacked  
If a bear actually makes contact, surrender! Fall to the ground and play dead. Lie flat on your stomach, or curl up in a ball with your hands behind your neck. Typically a bear will break off it's attack once it feels the threat has been eliminated. Remain motionless for as long as possible. If you move, and the bear sees or hears you, it may return and renew it's attack. in rare instances, particularly with black bears, and attacking bear may perceive a person as food. If the bear continues biting you after you assume a defensive posture, it is most likely a predatory attack. Fight back vigorously.  

  
Firearms should never be used as an alternative to common-sense approaches to bear encounters. If you are inexperienced with a firearm in emergency situations, you are more likely to be injured by a gun than by a bear. It is illegal to carry firearms in some National Parks, so check before you go.  

A .300-Magnum rifle or a 12-gauge shotgun with rifled slugs are appropriate weapons if you have to shoots a bear. Heavy handguns such as a .44-Magnum may be inadequate in emergency situations, especially in untrained hands.  

State law allows a bear to be shot in self-defense if you did not provoke the attack and if there is no alternative, but the hide and skull must be salvaged and turned over to the authorities.  

Defensive aerosol sprays which contain capsicum (red pepper extract) have been used with some success for protection against bears. These sprays may be effective at a range of 6-8 yards. If discharged upwind or in a vehicle, they can disable the user. Take appropriate precautions. If you carry a spray can, keep it handy and know how to use it.  
 

• Avoid surprising bears at close distance; look for signs of bears and make plenty of noise.
• Avoid crowding bears; respect their "personal space."
• Avoid attracting bears through improper handling of food or garbage.
• Plan ahead, stay calm, identify yourself, don't run.

For additional information about traveling in bear country, please contact one of the following agencies which participated in the publication of this information:  

Female bears can be fierce defenders of their young.  
Getting between a female and her cubs is a serious mistake.  
A female bear may respond aggressively to any threat she perceives to her cubs.  

--Larry Aumiller