BearWise.org

If you encounter a bear…

• Give the bear a clear escape route (do not corner it).
• Leave any doors open as you back away from the bear.
• Do not lock the bear in a room.

• From a safe distance, make loud noises, shout, or bang pots and pans together to scare away the bear.
• When the bear leaves, remove potential attractants such as garbage, bird seed, or pet food.
• Ask neighbors to remove attractants.
• Check your yard for bears before letting out your dog.
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• If you see a bear before it notices you: stand still, don’t approach and enjoy the moment. Then move away quietly in the opposite direction.
• If you encounter a bear that’s aware of you: don’t run; running may trigger a chase response. Back away slowly in the opposite direction and wait for the bear to leave.
• If the bear approaches, follows or charges you, keep reading the sections below.

• Stand your ground.
• Back away only when the bear stops its approach.
• Make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump.
• Yell “Hey bear” loudly.
• Get your bear spray out of the holster and into your hand. Remove the safety latch.

• Stand your ground.
• Try to appear large by holding up your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump.
• Back away only when the bear stops its approach.
• Intimidate the black bear by making yourself look bigger and making noise (wave arms, shout, clap, bang stick).
• Stay together.

• Stand your ground and stay together.
• Intimidate the black bear by making yourself look bigger and making noise (wave arms, shout, clap, bang stick).
• Prepare to fight or use bear spray.

• Stand your ground.
• Remain calm.
• If you have bear spray, spray it directly at the bear.

• FIGHT BACK with anything at hand (knife, sticks, rocks, binoculars, backpack or by kicking).
• DO NOT play dead.