Rules for Grizzly Bear Encounters:
If you encounter a brown bear (aka a Grizzly or Kodiak), keep these tips in mind:
- Carry bear spray in grizzly country. It’s a must-have if there’s even a chance you’ll run across brown bears. Keep it in a holster or easily accessible pocket, because you may have only seconds to fire. (Bear spray is often more effective than a firearm, since it works instantly, and it may take several well-placed round to stop a grizzly)
- Don’t be stealthy. If you think bears are nearby, talk, sing or make other noises to alert them of your presence — without surprising them. If you see a grizzly before it sees you, DON’T startle it.
- Don’t run. If you do meet a grizzly, stand tall, stay calm, and slowly reach for your bear spray. Don’t worry if the bear stands up — that usually just means it’s curious. Back away slowly if you can, still ready to spray. If the bear follows you, stop and stand your ground.
- Aim and spray. The best distance to spray a charging bear is about 40 to 50 feet. The idea is to create a wall of pepper spray between you and the bear.
- Hit the dirt. If the bear keeps charging, fall down and lace your fingers over the back of your neck to protect it. Guard your stomach by lying flat on the ground or by assuming a fetal position, with knees tucked under your chin. Don’t move.
- Play dead. Even if the bear starts to attack, it’s likely trying to neutralize you as a threat. And since you’ll never outrun or overpower it, faking death is your best bet at this point. Even if it walks away, don’t get up. Grizzlies are known to linger and make sure you’re dead, so stay down for at least 20 minutes.
- Box its nose or eyes. This could feasibly thwart a grizzly attack, but only fight back as a last resort. Playing dead is the preferred strategy with grizzlies. If you can get free, though, back away slowly; still don’t run.
Photo: OnceAndFutureLaura, Flickr
As a wildlife photographer, I have found cameras chase away bears.(kidding) I use a very strong telephoto lens.
Mostly stay calm and in a non-threatening way, slowly back away.
Always have bear spray with you, in case. If you don’t startle them or corner them, most of the time they will leave you alone.
In the rare case they don’t, bear spray.
Some say to wear small bells to avoid startling the bears. As you say pepper spray often works.
Do you know how to identify grizzly scat? It has small bells and smells like pepper.
I have seen a bear tear the top of a car open when the people inside teased it with food.
In grizzly country what works is a rifle or shotgun with slugs. A 44 magnum might do the job but if you have have a pistol a 50 caliber Desert Eagle is the way to go.
After a bear has been shot hunters have found some of the bullets were caught in the fur and had never even reached the skin. Grizzlies or Kodiak bears (same thing different name) can be concealed in tall grass. What a surprise.