Bear Attack - How to avoid or react to one
Video Source: National Park Service
The peace and serenity I gained from a day touring Yosemite National Park was shattered when the ranger at the evening presentation said bears had been sighted at the park. I asked my husband, "Bear, as in, big, live, brown bears, as in Grizzly bears?" Duh, did I think the ranger was talking about Care Bears???!!
According to the national park ranger, here's what you can do.
How to Avoid or React to a Bear Attack
1. Be aware of your surroundings. Ask the ranger if bears have been sighted recently. Know the risk you are taking or maybe it's not even bear territory.
2. Make noise. Walk around saying "Hey, Bear" so you don't sneak up and startle them.
3. Carry bear spray. They usually sell it at the camp store. Make sure you practice flipping the latch.
4. If you do stumble upon a bear, slowly walk away. If a Grizzly Bear is charging at you, immediately fall flat on your belly (watch the video, please).
I have one more important tip: Travel in groups if there's any chance at all you may be in bear territory.
The ranger also mentioned the way you react to a black bear attack is different than to a grizzly bear attack. Keep posted for my next video on how to tell the two bears aprt.
I was glad to hear that bear attacks are actually very rare, and not to let its fear grip you back from enjoying our beautiful national parks and state parks.
Comments
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Alan K Taggart said:
If a bear is charging you, you have no other recourse… please shoot it twice center mass with your.30-'06 rifle using a 220 grain round nose bullet. falling down might save you… on the other hand it's more likely to make it an easy dinner for the bear.
randy gleason said:
Nice interesting video… the ranger talks allot about everyone carrying bear spray …. and the 2 instances of bluff charging and true bear charging and what to do… but never mentions when it is appropriate and in what circumstances you should use bear spray.