Bears are large, powerful animals. Even if you have a head start they can outrun you. If you climb a small tree, they will shake you down. If you climb a large tree, bears will be right behind you and drag you down. Unless you have the agility of a monkey and the speed of a cheetah, you can not outclimb a bear.

The best way to avoid a bear attack is to avoid bears. A large part of both the United States and Canada is home to a variety of bears. As more and more bear habitat is destroyed, sightings, encounters, and bear attacks, will inevitably become more prevalent. Bears are pushed further and further into the wilderness, and man, in the form of hikers and campers, is right behind them. Knowledge and caution are necessary in order to ensure personal safety.

Whenever you are away from home, leave word where you are going and for how long. This is especially important if you travel alone. If you are in danger, this is the only way in which you can count on help eventually arriving.

If you are camping or hiking, stay away for areas where bears have been sighted. Parks and trails post notices of recent sightings. Pay special attention to any cub sightings. Cubs may lag behind or wander ahead of mothers. If you get between them, you are in extreme danger. A sow protecting her cubs will never back down.

If you are hiking in bear country, make noise on a continuous basis. Carry a can of small pebbles and rattle it as you walk. Talk, (even to yourself) clap, or sing. Silence is a wonderful companion, but only strange and continuous human-like noise will let bears know you are around. Bears are naturally shy of man. You may never see or hear them but they will hear you and most will move off. Carry a knife and a club. There are bear bells, but these are not considered effective as you may merely be a cow or goat and hence a potential meal.

If possible, hike in more open areas. In the autumn when bears are storing up fat for the winter, stay away from berry patches and fishing streams bears are known to frequent.

Unless your dogs are trained hunting dogs, leave them at home. Dogs will run to their owners for protection and inevitably bring the bear with them. Never carry food in unsealed containers.

If you stay in open areas, you may see a bear before it sees you. If so, back away slowly, not looking directly at the bear.

Bear sprays can be effective if you can use them as directed. Unfortunately, in the face of a bear charging at you at thirty plus miles per hour, few people can remain calm and steady enough to use the spray effectively.

If you are attacked by a bear, try to stay calm. When it becomes obvious that you are going to be attacked you have two options.

If the bear is a grizzly, it will most likely swat at you, roll you, and treat you like a plaything. Grizzlies are the huge hump backed bears. As with all bears, they have long claws that can rip and tear with ease. Fall face down. Curl slightly to protect your internal organs and cover your scalp and face with your arms. Play dead. The grizzly will eventually tire of his game and leave you. Yes, you will be wounded, but you will survive. I recently met a logger who had been twice attacked by grizzlies. He is now back at work in the woods, scarred yes, but alive.

If you are attacked by a black bear, you will have to fight for your life. Black bears see you as food and playing dead will not save you. This is when a knife or club are essential. Club the bear on the nose if you can. You may now be fighting for your life.

If you are camping in bear country, heed all the precautions listed above. In addition-
...Store your food either in your vehicle or high in a tree, away from your tent site.
...Bury your garbage deeply or store it well away from your tent. Take it with you when you leave the area.
...Make sure there is no blood near your tent.
...Report bear sightings immediately and if advised, leave the area.
...Never, under any circumstances, feed bears. Do not consider them photo opportunities. Leave this to the experts.

Knowledge and caution are essential to remain safe in bear country.