When a bear attacks …
Martin O'Malley and Bob Sudeyko
CBC News Online, June 2001
The first thing to know about bears is they are unpredictable. There is no sure way to survive a bear attack, whether it's a grizzly or a black bear, though the lighter-coloured, humped grizzly is bigger and more aggressive.
In bear territory, the best protection is a gun. Bears often will bluff a charge, stopping abruptly or veering off, but if the threat is real it's best to shoot to kill. Don't go for the head, go for the heart. If the bear is broadside, aim for the shoulder. If the bear's coming straight at you with its head low to the ground, aim for the back of the neck between the shoulders. Keep firing until the bear's dead because a wounded bear is very dangerous.
If you don't have a gun, there are two things to do, depending on the bear.
If it's a grizzly, play dead.
If it's a black bear, fight back.
Do not play dead if it's a black bear, or a grizzly that regards you as prey.
Do not try to outswim a bear.
Recommended positions for playing dead:
Lie on your side, curled into a ball, legs drawn tightly to your chest, hands clasped behind your neck.
Lie flat on the ground, face down, hands clasped behind your neck.
Remain in these positions even if the bear drags you.
Recommended ways to fight back with a black bear or a grizzly that regards you as prey:
Act aggressively.
Defend yourself with whatever is available – a baseball bat, rake, tent pole, axe …
Try to appear dominant.
Shout, jump up and down, wave your arms, hold up your jacket or backpack to make yourself look bigger.
Most bears avoid people. Old or wounded bears can be desperate, either in pain or starving. Bears used to the proximity of people, those that show no fear of humans, can be especially dangerous. Female bears with cubs aggressively defend their young.
Bears try to scare intruders by huffing, panting, hissing, growling and jaw-popping. They will stare at you with their heads lowered and ears laid back. They will slap their feet on the ground.
Bears standing on their hind legs swinging their heads from side to side are trying to pick up scents to determine who you are. Bears do not charge on their hind legs.
A hunting bear shows no fear and does not bother with displays. It approaches its prey at a fast walk, or follows or circles the prey.
What to do when you encounter a bear:
http://www.nwtwildlife.rwed.gov.nt.ca/P ... attodo.htm
Safety in Bear Country:
http://usscouts.org/safety/safe_bea.html