Beyond the rules!

You know the rules (yes?) that a “fed bear is a dead bear,” (ie: food and garbage control) and that when hiking/camping in bear habitat make human noise so as not to approach unawares , and that coming between mother and cub is plain stupid. Forget about running, or being lucky enough to climbing a tree in time (if one is available).

What I feel is most important when in close proximity with a bear is to do exactly what they do … access the attitude! In a situation where the bear actually looks at you … instead of sort of ignoring you to the side… you need to decide if he is on the defense, or just curious.

A defensive bear is a stressed bear. You have entered its personal space and the bear perceives you as a threat.

A bear that deliberately approaches you, showing little or no stress is not acting defensively. These bears are curious, human habituated, food conditioned, asserting dominance or possibly predatory. It is important for you to decide what the situation really is.

Look for signs as ears, breathing, other “body language,” just as you would access an encounter with a strangely dressed person, after dark, on a lonely city street. (continued next page)