Spotting a bear while out on the trail can be both exhilarating and terrifying, but knowing how to handle a bear encounter is key to safely enjoying the wonders of nature. Everyone knows the expression “don’t poke the bear” and today we’re dedicating the episode to bears and sharing all our experiences and tips for keeping these critters at bay.
Remember, your number one defense in the outdoors is to be aware and beware. The truth is that encounters with bears rarely lead to aggression and attacks are very rare. Most bears prefer to avoid humans, and any bear you see is probably just as frightened as you!
Episode Highlights:
- Types of bears and geographic locations of breeds.
- Prevention is the number one defense.
- Don’t overlook any detail that may attract a bear to your campsite.
- Think of creating a “bear hang” when camping out.
- Be aware that bears and pets don’t mix well.
- Consider planning your destination in places that have lower bear populations.
- The less people using a park or trail, the less you risk a bear encounter.
- Make a lot of noise when in the outdoors.
- What to do if you encounter a bear or it’s cubs.
- If you find yourself facing a bear, try to figure out which species they are.
- Movement is important but how you move can be the key to your safety.
- What to do for young children if an encounter happens.
- Things to do, and not do, if attacked by a bear.
- Do your bear research when planning your next trip!
Links and Resources:
“The best thing you can do is let the bear know where you are.” Nate Harrington
“When you run, you become prey.” Christopher Hiller