Bear
Facts
The Essentials of Traveling in Bear Country
Bears and People
Close
Encounters: What to do
Protection
In
Summary
Bear Behavior
One of the things that makes Alaska so
special is that all three species of North American bears flourish
here. There is a chance that you may be lucky enough to see a
bear. But even if you don't you will never be far from one, because
Alaska is bear country.
Brown/grizzly bears are found from the
islands of southeastern Alaska to the arctic. Black bears inhabit
most of Alaska's forests. Polar bears frequent the pack ice and
tundra of extreme northern and western Alaska.
Bears are curious, intelligent and potentially
dangerous animals, but undue fear of bears can endanger both
bears and people. Many bears are killed each year by people who
are afraid of them. Respecting bears and learning proper behavior
in their territory will help so that if you encounter a bear,
neither of you will suffer needlessly from the experience.
Most bears tend to avoid people. In most
cases, if you give a bear the opportunity to do the right thing,
it will. Many bears live in Alaska and many people enjoy the
outdoors, but surprisingly few people even see bears. Only a
tiny percentage of those few are ever threatened by a bear. A
study by the state epidemiologist showed that during the first
85 years of this century, only 20 people died in bear attacks
in Alaska. In the 10 years 1975-85, 19 people in Alaska were
killed by dogs.
Most people who see a bear in the wild
consider it the highlight of their trip. The presence of these
majestic creatures is a reminder of how privileged we are to
share some of the country's dwindling wilderness.
Bears
and People
Bears Don't Like Surprises
If you are hiking through
bear country, make your presence known - especially where the
terrain or vegetation makes it hard to see. Make noise, sing,
talk loudly or tie a bell to your pack. If possible, travel with
a group. Groups are noisier and easier for bears to detect. Avoid
thick brush. If you can't, try to walk with the wind at your
back so your scent will warn bears of your presence. Contrary
to popular belief, bears can see almost as well as people, but
trust their noses much more than their eyes or ears. Always let
bears know you are there.
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 bear's food
may be there and if the bear is nearby, it may defend the cache
aggressively.
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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 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
of bears 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 fisherman,
it will return for more.
Close
Encounters: What to do
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 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,
sometimes 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 its attack. In rare instances, particularly
with black bears, an attacking bear may perceive a person as
food. If the bear continues biting you long after you assume
a defensive posture, it likely is a predatory attack. Fight back
vigorously.
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Protection
Firearms should never
be used as the 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 a
bear. It is illegal to carry firearms in some of Alaska's 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 shoot 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 capsaicin (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.
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In
Summary
- 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.
In most cases, bears are not a threat, but they
do deserve your respect and attention. When traveling in bear
country, keep alert and enjoy the opportunity to see these magnificent
animals in their natural habitat.
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Updated June 15, 2001
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