How to Avoid a Bear Attack in Canada and the United States

If you’re visiting some of the North American National Parks, it’s very typical to ponder the frequency of bear attacks in Canada and the United States, how to prevent them and how to behave if an encounter or attack occurs.

While planning our Canadian Rockies road trip centered around camping and hiking in the wilderness, I had some initial nervousness that I want to address. First, I recommend checking out this overview of travel insurance options, as encounters with bears are uncommon but having coverage is prudent. It`s always safer to purchase inexpensive travel insurance than going without any protections at all.

However, statistics show that only 2 to 5 people die annually from bear attacks in Canada and the United States. It is much more probable to die from an illness or a traffic accident instead of being mauled by a bear.

Still, if you are traveling to the West Coast of Canada or to the United States National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone or Alaska, I recommend that you study up on how to avoid bear encounters and how you should act during a bear attack.

The following points are important to understand:

• How to tell the difference between American black bears and grizzly bears

• How to avoid encounters with bears

• How to behave during a bear encounter

• Distinguishing defensive maneuvers from predatory aggressions

• How to endure a bear encounter

• Tips for camping in bear country

In condensed form, in this guide, we have assembled all the data required to circumvent and endure a bear attack.

HOW TO tell the difference between A BLACK BEAR and A GRIZZLY BEAR

There are three furry creatures found in North America: Polar bears, brown bears, and black bears. Polar bears exist solely in certain locales of Alaska and Canada.

In this article, we will focus on the species of bears that you’re most likely to see: grizzly bears and black bears. Their behaviors differ greatly so the first thing you must do is learn how to distinguish between them as soon as you spot them.

The Grizzly bear is a brown bear variant that inhabits North America. It is seen as the most aggressive bear globally, even when stacked against other brown bears.

The black bear, or American black bear as it is otherwise called, represents the most abundant bear species worldwide. While initially they may appear harmless, one should be aware that in certain scenarios they are capable of attacking and posing danger.

WHERE WE CAN FIND GRIZZLY BEARS AND BLACK BEARS

GRIZZLY

We can find grizzly bears in Canada (in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and Alberta) and in the United States (in Alaska, Montana, and Northwest Wyoming).

BLACK BEARS

The habitat of the black bear is more extensive. We can find them across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

This bear is found in all Canadian territories and in 39 of the 50 U.S. states, both on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

SIZE

Size alone does not serve as a useful bodily attribute for distinguishing black bears from grizzly bears since they exhibit comparable magnitudes.

• In general, the female grizzly weighs around 400 lbs. and the males 780 lbs., although there have been instances of grizzly bears exceeding 1,300 lbs. A grizzly bear standing on its legs can reach 94 inches, although the average grizzly is 78 inches.

• Female black bears can weigh approximately 220 lbs., while the male bears weigh around 660 lbs., though black bears of up to 880 lbs. have also been detected. A black bear can rise as tall as 82 inches when standing erect.

Color

Color alone is not a useful physical trait for distinguishing black bears from grizzly bears as they can share similar hues.

• Grizzly bears usually have fur ranging in color, but can be copper brown, cinnamon or gray to dark chocolate brown.

• Misconceptions exist regarding black bear fur color. While most appear black, it is common for their coat to be brown or cinnamon shades as well.

HUMP

This significant natural characteristic can be utilized to tell apart grizzly bears and black bears. The grizzly possesses a prominent raised area on its shoulders. This raised area consists of muscular mass that empowers the front limbs of the bear and aids it in digging more profoundly and swiftly.

EARS

This additional feature will help distinguish darker bears from grizzly bears. The ears of the grizzly bear are modest and rounded, while those of the darker bear are lengthened and pointed.

SNOUT

If we examine a grizzly bear’s visage from the side we’ll see that the upper part of the snout does not follow a straight line but instead curves upwards. Essentially, we can state that a grizzly bear has a pointed nose. On the other hand, the snout of the black bear seen sideways follows a straight line.

CLAWS

The paws of the grizzly have much longer claws than black bears. Grizzly nails can measure 2 to 4 inches in length while black bears have curved soot-colored nails up to 2 inches long.

BEHAVIOR AND DIET

Both grizzly and black bears hibernate during the winter. When they leave their dens, they only return to enter the period of hibernation, so when they are out and about, they are exclusively looking for food.

They spend the complete day consuming to accumulate all the nutrients and fat required to survive until next spring.

GRIZZLY BEARS

Grizzlies are known to be the most combative bears in the world. Their diet is omnivorous, based 90% on vegetables and the rest on fish and flesh. They hunt sizable deer, moose or even black bears.

However, they do not deem the human species as a part of their diet. They tend to shy from contact with people. If a grizzly bear attacks a person, it is either because they are taken by surprise or, very rarely, because they are stressed or unable to locate any nourishment.

Regrettably, this scenario is developing more frequently because human actions are destroying the habitat of the grizzly bear. A renowned incident involves the bears that consumed the ecologist Timothy Treadwell and his companion Amie Huguenard while they were filming a documentary about grizzly bears in Alaska.

BLACK BEARS

Black bears are also omnivores, feeding primarily on plant matter but also consuming meat and fish, which composes 10% of their diet. They are not skilled hunters, but instead make use of opportunities. They feed on insects, carrion, crabs, honeycomb and anything easily obtainable.

Among sources of nourishment that they can obtain without difficulty (and should avoid) are the dumpsters situated near their habitats. Regrettably, black bears are growing accustomed to humans, so they no longer fear people. Because of this, tricky situations can occur when bears enter urban areas searching for food.

These types of attacks happen, especially in parks like Yosemite where measures to prevent bears from having access to human food have come too late.

HOW TO AVOID A BEAR ENCOUNTER IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES

While we all like to see wildlife when we travel, there are certain cases where we should avoid encounters with wild animals.

You ought to be uniquely careful when the creature is considered hazardous and you have no type of insurance (i.e., being inside a vehicle or behind an electric fence), or on the off chance that the creature is just a short separation away (in the case of bears, 320 ft. is considered the expected safe separation).

When you’re in nature, follow these tips to avoid a bear encounter that could trigger an attack:

• When hiking, generate noise. Allow the bears to know your placement before they can observe you. Sing, speak loudly, smack your hands … Be cautioned, though: bear bells, even though they’re very popular, are not helpful.

• Travel in a group of four or more individuals. Never let children or pets out of your sight.

• Do not hike after nightfall or with low visibility levels. Bears are more active at night.

• Bear in mind that if you engage in running or cycling in regions inhabited by bears, you are more likely to be attacked. Most bear attacks are caused when the animal is startled, which could occur if you pass rapidly on your bicycle or jog near its path.

• If you notice recent signs of wildlife (excrement, trees with damage, holes or tracks) and assume they are fresh, exit the area.

• If you come across a large deceased animal such as a deer, elk, bear etc., promptly vacate the area. A predator like a bear could still be nearby.

• Store foodstuff in an appropriate manner. Try to decrease the provisions you are carrying as much as possible if you are trekking. Only take a small snack if it is entirely vital. Bears possess an extraordinary sense, it’s their smell that defines them.

HOW TO BEHAVE DURING A BEAR ENCOUNTER

It is feasible to reach the Grand Canyon using a vehicle. However, you will need to utilize shuttles between various viewing spots in some sections of the park, as we will examine in the subsequent divisions. In this segment, we are going to focus on how to arrive at the Grand Canyon from different locations.

Observe carefully. Does the bear become aware of your visibility?

→ Should danger appear, remove yourself from the scenario immediately and avoid any motions that may attract its notice or startle it.

→ If he has seen you, in most cases, the bear will want to depart the area first. In some scenarios, the bear could pretend to charge and turn at the last moment. It may also growl, snap its jaws and move its ears back as a sign of threat. In that situation, try to follow these next steps:

• • Maintain your composure. Screaming or sudden movements can provoke an attack.

• • Communicate with the bear. Let the bear know that you are human and not prey. If the bear rises up on its hind legs and smells the air it is to recognize what type of animal you are.

• • Move slowly backwards. Never sprint or turn your back on it.

• • Make yourself look more sizable than you are. Stand up as straight as possible and if you have any item put it on your head.

• • Remain with your group for safety when in bear country. No registered bear attacks involve parties over four individuals.

• Do not remove your backpack. You can use it for protection if the encounter turns violent.

If one needs to follow a route that has been hindered by the encounter with the bear, do so only if you can maintain a safe distance and if not, wait for it to depart somewhere far away.

DEFENSIVE ATTACK vs PREDATORY ATTACK

Sadly, sometimes, even if you adhere to the previously mentioned steps, an assault may transpire. In order to survive a bear assault, you must initially ascertain the type of assault since your behavior will be entirely divergent relying on the category of assault.

DEFENSIVE ATTACK

Defensive responses are the most common type of reactions. They occur when a black bear or grizzly bear feels threatened

These attacks sometimes occur when a bear is startled while caring for cubs or feeding. The bear may view you as a threatening presence. Prior to the attack, the bear could appear anxious and emit warning growls.

PREDATORY ATTACK

Predatory attacks are very uncommon. Most of the registered predatory attacks have been by grizzly bears. You’ll know that it’s a predatory attack if, having followed all the guidelines to avoid encounters with bears that we’ve provided in this article, there has been an encounter anyway.

In this scenario, the bear does not view you as a danger, but rather, as possible prey. Before this ambush, the bear will be curious, with its ears and head raised.

Remember an attack can escalate from defensive to predatory if you don’t act appropriately.

HOW TO survive A BEAR ATTACK

Your response ought to differ totally contingent on whether defending against or preempting attack.

HOW TO survive a DEFENSIVE ATTACK

Adhere to all of the measures explained in the section“How to Act During a Bear Encounter.” If the bear opts to approach after all, deploy the bear spray.

If you lack a bear spray and the bear makes bodily contact with you, then you need to determine what variety of bear is initiating the attack:

• If it’s a grizzly bear(presumably a bear with cubs), play dead and wait for the bear to depart. Lie face down with your legs straight and your hands on the back of your neck. The bear may want to turn you around to look at you. Do not resist. These attacks should not last over 2 minutes. If the attack continues, it’s possible that it has become a predatory attack.

• If a black bear attacks, you must battle to survive. Concentrate on kicking its visage and snout region, and employ any objects you can find to strike it. If opportunity allows, try taking shelter in a vehicle. Ascending a tree is not a good tactic with a black bear since they are more adept climbers than humans. Never pretend to be dead.

HOW TO SURVIVE A PREDATORY ATTACK

Predatory strikes are extremely unusual, so I don’t believe you will ever find yourself in this scenario or, at least, I hope you won’t. However, if you feel you are experiencing a predatory attack, usually by a grizzly bear, then do not play dead.

Use bear spray and seek refuge indoors or inside a vehicle.

If unable to do so, try to convince the bear you are not easy prey. Try frightening it by screaming and striking it with rocks or any other item. It must think you pose a greater risk than it is willing to accept to obtain food .

CAMPING IN BEAR COUNTRY

When camping in an area inhabited by bears, it is important to adhere to a series of recommendations. However, in this scenario, these rules are not universally applied, since the appropriate actions largely depend on your specific location. We advise consulting location-specific information from the nearest visitor center.

When bears have become accustomed to receiving food rewards from humans, they are likely to cause problems by seeking out additional opportunities to obtain calories in this way. Without proper management to maintain a natural avoidance of people, bears can damage property or threaten safety in the pursuit of accessible nourishment.

For instance, in Yosemite, storing food in vehicles is banned, because bears smash windows to eat it. This is the consequence of having allowed visitors to feed the bears for years. All nourishment and other products with powerful scents should be secured in bear-resistant food storage containers that can be found throughout the park.

However, in the Canadian Rockies, food can be stored in vehicles, because protective policies implemented over years now mean bears aren`t accustomed to human food.

Some general tips that we can provide for camping in bear country are:

• Be sure to cook any meals at least 300 feet away from your tent and ensure that the wind is blowing away rather than towards your shelter when preparing food outdoors.

• Do not use perfume or hygiene products with strong scents.

• Do not store food inside the tent.

• Do not store soiled cutlery or clean it near the tent.

• Dispose of rubbish in the designated areas. Never store or bury waste.

If you do not possess a bear-proof container (United States) or an automobile (Canada) to safely stash your food and scented products, hang your knapsack between two trees at a sufficient elevation that a bear is unable to access it and at least 300 feet distant from the tent.

You should consider that, in both the United States and Canada, bears that become accustomed to human interaction or food are euthanized, since they repeatedly return to urban and camping areas, representing a danger to society.

If avoiding this is desired, it is as simple as implementing all necessary measures to ensure no bear can access human food.

KEEP THE WILDLIFE WILD!

If you want to know where to see bears and other creatures in the Canadian Rockies, don’t miss this article.