1. Are black bears dangerous?

Although many people consider grizzlies to be the most dangerous bears, black bears are also wild, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous. They can often be more bold and curious than grizzlies. Both species are prone to investigate human food and garbage smells and can be dangerous to humans when conditioned to such food sources. Black bears in Denali can weigh 100-300 pounds and are extremely strong, quick, and intelligent.

2. Can bears swim?

Bears are very good swimmers and will often swim to cool off, play, chase prey, or cross bodies of water. Grizzlies have been observed swimming in Wonder Lake on a few occasions.

3. Can grizzly bears climb trees?

Young grizzlies can climb trees as effectively as most black bears, but some mature bears have more difficulty. Most grizzlies can "ladder up" trees with branches, but their weight and claw structure prevents them from climbing as efficiently as black bears. Three of the 23 documented bear-induced human injuries in Denali involved grizzlies pulling humans out of trees.

4. Can bears run downhill?

Yes. Both species of bear in Denali are quite agile and quick despite their often cumbersome and bulky appearance. They can run well over most terrain and slopes and have not been known to stumble. Both species can reach bursts of 35 mph or more.

5. Do companion dogs keep bears away?

Dogs can sometimes keep bears away from a camp, but very often, a dog initially chases a bear and then the bear chases the dog right back to the camp. This exact scenario is common and occurred in Savage Campground in 1999. The dog luckily escaped with only slight injuries. Dogs must be kept on a leash while in the park and are not allowed on trails, the backcountry or left unattended at any time.

6. Will bears attack sleeping people?

Incidents between people and bears in Denali are few. In the 23 cases of bear-induced human injury, only two cases involved sleeping campers. Both parties were camped without a tent, and one was camped near a dead moose as well. Bears are curious animals and will investigate odd things with their mouth and paws. While such investigating could potentially injure a human, it is not considered an attack and the bear will usually run at the first sign of a human activity. Using a tent while camping gives a curious bear a safer object to decipher than an exposed, sleeping human.

7. Are bears that approach people / camp-grounds in the Frontcountry "tame"?

No! Bears that approach people and campgrounds are probably conditioned to human activity, vehicles, and/or food rewards. These animals are more dangerous than the normally shy and reclusive bears. They often lose fear of humans and may cause injury to people in attempts to get more and more food rewards. These bears might eventually have to be relocated or destroyed because of their unsafe nature. Never feed or leave food or garbage where a bear might get it, and always discourage bears in close proximity to homes or camps by shouting, honking car horns, or making other raucous sounds.

8. Does pepper spray protect people from bears?

The only thing that truly protects people from bears is proper knowledge and behavior when facing a bear encounter. Too often, pepper spray instills a false sense of security and people don't follow the proper reactions necessary to prevent an incident. Tests have shown that a direct spray of capsicum into a bear's face may cause discomfort and deter the bear briefly. It should be used as a last resort if all of the proper behavioral responses to a bear's behavior do not work (i.e., shouting, waving arms, backing away slowly, etc.).

9. Do bears have poor eyesight?

Bears do not necessarily have poor eyesight. They can easily detect movement and form at long distances and have visual acuity that may be similar to that of the domestic dog. Experiments with black bears have shown that they can learn color-based visual-discrimination tasks more rapidly than chimpanzees.

10. If a bear stands up and looks at me, is it acting aggressively?

No. Bears stand on their hind legs in order to get a better look at something they are not sure of. If this happens, make it obvious that you are human by waving your arms and speaking loudly. Signs that a bear is disturbed and may become aggressive include: woofing, jaw chomping, swaying, laying ears, and yawning to displace anxiety. Guidelines on how to act during a bear encounter are available in the visitor's center.

11. Can I carry a gun or firearm to protect myself from bears?

In general terms, you may not carry a firearm within the boundaries of Denali National Park . If you possess a firearm it cannot be carried on your person or in a backpack, etc. All firearms must be stored unloaded, broken down and placed out of sight, such as in the trunk of your vehicle. If contacted by a park ranger you must immediately declare that you have a firearm. Firearms are NOT needed for protection from bears! Secure storage for firearms MAY be available while you are in the park. Contact any park ranger for details or if you have questions concerning firearms.

For questions regarding the use of firearms in Preserve lands and new park additions please contact a park ranger.

Generally these lands are open to sport and/or subsistence hunting.