An unarmed person hiking alone in a wooded area sees a large bear about two hundred yards away staring right at them. What is the safest thing for the person to do?

Boycie75

If you notice a bear at a distance, stay calm and assess your situation. Give the bear a wide privacy space - make a very wide 300 foot detour or go back the way you came and take a different route. http://www.hikingdude.com/hiking-bear.shtml You can approach a bear at distances that would never work with a prey species, for example a deer. This makes sense if you think about it, the “distance of concern” for a bear is considerably less than 100 yards. Bears have evolved to be concerned only with - and react to - stimuli within their personal space, which varies of course (smaller for more dominate bears) but is generally about 100 to 200 yards. This fits with being a predator as opposed to a prey species, as well as being the biggest, baddest guy on the block.” http://www.wildlifenews.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlife_news.view_article&articles_id=135 Bear attacks are rare, very rare. There is about 1 death from bear attack every 4 years in North America. You are more likely to die from a bee sting. You are more likely to die in a car accident on the way to your hike. You are more likely to get struck by lightning. Most bear encounters happen when the bear's natural behavior of avoidance changes to aggression Feb 22 09, 5:48 PM

zbeckabee

Though I can't imagine entering bear country without some form of defense, at the very least "bear spray" : As you walk or travel through bear territory, and if you can not see more then 50 to 100 feet in front of you, call out every few minutes until you enter a clear area. [I wonder what someone would be doing in an area that dense, in the middle of bear country.] Some people call out, others sing, some wear bear-bells. [Hmmmmmm] The point being to make a lot of noise. In most cases the bear will move off the trail and watch you pass. They rarely look for a confrontation. [At least, one can hope.] If you see a bear, talk to the bear. [Hi, Mr. Bear...please don't eat me!] Make sure he sees you. Hold you arms high above your head as this will make you look like a much bigger animal to him. [I think a gun is a better idea.] Continue to talk and slowly back away. [Or RUN]. If you run he will chase you. [Oh, nevermind the running part]. If the bear comes for you, climb a tree or drop to a fetal position. [Just lay there? Duh! Don't think so!] Cover your head and neck with your hands. Keep on your pack to protect your back. Even if the bear bites you continue to play dead. [Would that EVEN be possible?] Once he realizes that you are not a threat he may leave. [OR eat you.] If he does not stop, fight back and make as much noise as possible...[which would be MY very FIRST suggestion.] Etc. http://www.arcticwebsite.com/BearSurvival.html NOTE: Maybe you could rent a bear costume with bells; that way you'd REALLY look big while waving your arms and you'd already be making the jingle noise. This would NOT be advisable during mating season. Feb 22 09, 5:59 PM

star_gazer

When I was younger I use to work at a wooded camp and one day I looked down a large hill and there was a large Momma black bear with two cubs! I was lucky because I was the only one that summer on the camp staff who got to see some wild bears. Is it rare to encounter bears in the wild? Yes. Is it a serious possibility? Of course. If a mother bear has cubs she will attack any person who she becomes aware of so to protectect her cubs. If a bear charges me I'm sure I'll scream out of sheer terror but I'm not going to be calm enough to quietly play dead or roll myself in a ball. Might anyone else please have a suggestion? Feb 22 09, 7:14 PM

queproblema

This theoretical person has already broken two rules: hiking alone, and not carrying pepper spray. He should not have gotten himself into this situation. But since he did: "STAY CALM. Attacks are rare. Bears may approach or stand on their hind legs to get a better look at you. These are curious, not aggressive, bears. BE HUMAN. Stand tall, wave your arms, and speak in a loud and low voice. DO NOT RUN! Stand your ground or back away slowly and diagonally. If the bear follows, STOP." More details and more scenarios, including charges, here: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/safety/bears.htm I don't think there are any better suggestions. Bear maulings are rare in New York City but not so rare in wilderness areas or even in municipalities near wilderness areas. We shouldn't count only fatal attacks. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080817/news_1n17bears.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bears_in_Anchorage,_Alaska I know this man's brothers, who live near us. http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/wildlife/bears/attacks/story/8803434p-8704592c.html Feb 22 09, 7:55 PM

Arpeggionist

If one wishes to survive such situations and be in one piece, those are all good suggestions. The point they all make is that bears generally don't eat humans, and are rarely a threat to humans unless they feel threatened by people themselves - and on that count they are remarkably inteligent. Whatever you do if you and a bear encounter each other alone, the bottom line is you want to make it clear that you are not a threat to it, that you are not food, and that you can hurt it if it attacks you. Respect the bear's space, and it will respect you. Remember that bears and dogs are related, so generally whatever is true of a dog's way of thinking is true of a bear's. Feb 23 09, 11:59 AM