Ask any Australian or European what they would most like to see in the Rockies and they will answer “a bear.” Ask a North American who has spent any time in the mountains the same question and the answer will be “anything but a bear.”
Bear encounters can be scary but they don’t have to be fatal. Parks Canada suggests avoiding bear encounters in the first place. They offer several suggestions on how to do this.
- Make noise, let the bears know you are coming and they can avoid you. Carry “bear bells” on your pack or belt.
- Travel in larger groups of four or more. Bears are less likely to confront a large group.
- Watch for bear signs such as paw prints and droppings.
- Always keep your dog on a leash. It is safer for the dog and it is the law.
- Do not leave food outside. Put your garbage in bear proof bins.
- Carry bear spray and be familiar with how to use it.
- Never approach a bear, try and keep 100 meters between you and a bear.
If you do encounter a bear Parks Canada recommends
- Stay calm, don’t run, instead back away slowly so the bear doesn’t see you as a threat.
- Speak to the bear so he/she can identify you as human.
- If you are carrying bear spray, get it out and get ready to use it, just in case.
- Bunch up in a group, there is safety in numbers.
- Leave the bear an escape route; get out of his/her way.
- Do not come between a mother bear and her cubs.
- Do not get between a hungry bear and food, such as berries.
If the bear attacks what you do depends on the kind of attack and the type of bear.
The most common kind of attack or behaviour is DEFENSIVE.
If your surprise a bear or interrupt its feeding it is likely to behave in a defensive manner.
- If it is a Grizzly bear, play dead, lie on your stomach and cover the back of your head and neck.
- If a Black Bear, raise your arms in the air, look away, back up slowly, if the bear makes contact, play dead. Showing submission usually ends the attack.
- use your bear spray.
If the attack lasts longer than two minutes it is likely a PREDATORY attack. Although this type of attack is rare is can occur when a bear feels threatened.
- Try to escape; get into a building or car; climb a tree
- If you are unable to get away, do not play dead, fight back.
- Fight back, use bear spray or do what ever it takes to let the bear know you will not give up easily.
Parks Canada insists that bear attacks are very rare in the Canadian Rockies. Bears seldom bite or strike a person with there claws. Most encounters end without injury. Remember bears are wild animals. The ones you see on TV programs, such as Walt Disney, are tame trained animals that are used to people. Since the average bear doesn’t watch much TV, they do not know how you expect them to behave. Give them plenty of space, respect their territory, try not to surprise them and any bear encounter you may have will end well for both you and the bear.
Refernces
Bear Spray (from Parks Canada publication: Bears and People. A Guide to Safety and Conservation on the Trail.
Research indicates that bear spray can be effective with some bears when used properly. If you plan to carry it, be aware that wind, spray distance, rain, freezing temperatures and product shelf life can all influence its effectiveness. Familiarize yourself with the proper use of bear spray (including the manufacturer's specific instructions) and keep it readily accessible. However, the best way to live safely with bears is to avoid contact with them.
How to play dead (from Parks Canada publication: Bears and People. A Guide to Safety and Conservation on the Trail).
Lie on your stomach with legs apart and position your arms so that your hands are crossed behind your neck. This position makes you less vulnerable to being flipped over and protects your face, the back of your head and neck. Remain still until you are sure the bear has left the area.
Bears and People. A Guide to Safety and Conservation on the Trail.
http://www.parcscanada.com/docs/v-g/oursgest-bearmanag/sec7/og-bm7_E.ASP
