How to Avoid an Encounter With a Bear

6 Tips To AVOID A Dangerous Bear Encounter

(ModernSurvival.org) – When enjoying the great outdoors, there is always a chance of coming face-to-face with wildlife. While many people may dream of such an encounter, some creatures are better viewed from afar. As the story above demonstrates, bears can and will invade campsites — and the results can be fatal.

So how can a person lessen the chances of encountering a bear in the wild? Here are a few tips:

- Make a lot of noise. Announcing one’s presence in the wild is a good idea. It reduces the chances of surprising an animal and causing it to become defensive or enter “fight or flight” mode.
- NEVER feed a bear. Feeding bears will only encourage them to interact with humans. Also, if the food runs out before it gets full, the bear may decide to add humans to the menu.
- Keep food out of the tent. Never, ever leave food inside the tent. In fact, it is recommended to never even eat food in a tent. The smell will attract wild animals, including bears, and cause them to come and investigate. Tents are notoriously flimsy and will not stop a curious animal from getting in.
- Look big. Try to appear as large as possible. This includes waving arms and moving to higher ground. Make slow movements though, a sudden movement can cause a bear to attack.
- Do Not Yell or Squeal. If a bear is in close proximity, stay calm. Yelling and squealing can lead to an attack.
- Never, ever get between a mother bear and her cubs. Don’t attempt to approach a bear cub, either, even if the mother isn’t visible. Female bears are incredibly protective of their young and will become hostile if they feel threatened.

If a bear does decide to attack, how a person should respond will vary depending on the type of bear. To see how to react, check out our article on how to survive an encounter with a bear.

~Here’s to Your Survival!