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Protect Yourself Against Bears When Summer Hiking
The bears have come out of hibernation and are ready to take to the hills. The problem is, people are also coming out of hibernation and are taking to the hills! Encounters with wildlife are common for outdoor enthusiasts in the summertime, and most of the time the animals are innocuous. But what if they're not? Here's what to do if you run into a bear while hiking, and how to prevent such encounters in the first place.
First of all, it cannot be emphasized enough that bears, whether they are grizzlies or black, are basically shy creatures that don't go looking for trouble with people. They are just as wary of us as we are of them and would rather not run into us at all, if possible.
Avoidance is the very best prevention for bear attacks. If a bear warning is posted in a certain area, stay out! If there have been recent bear sightings on your favorite hiking trail, avoid it for awhile! Some National Park trails, such as those in Yellowstone, are always vulnerable to bear visits, so if you choose to hike in these areas, be prepared.
When hiking in bear country make as much noise as possible, especially in areas where visibility is limited. A bear is most likely to attack if he is surprised. If you carry a bear bell on your walking stick, or engage in loud talking and even singing as you go, he will know you are coming and will be much more likely to run away before you ever have a chance of seeing him.
Carry specially prepared pepper spray that is intended to ward off bears and other large predators if it is legal to do so. It will incapacitate the bear long enough for you to make your own getaway.
Grizzlies get up on their hind legs when facing a challenger because it makes them look bigger, even though they really don't need the help, do they? You should do the same if you happen upon a bear. Put your arms straight above your head to help yourself appear larger, and absolutely DO NOT RUN. Running makes you instantly vulnerable in a bear's eyes since it expresses fear.
If you do not have pepper spray, it is best to drop into a fetal position and cover your head and the back of your neck with your hands. The bear will continue to paw at you, but with any luck she will lose interest if she thinks you are dead and can no longer pose a threat to her or her cub.
Never ever keep campsite food in your own tent and do not hang it from trees either. The best way to avoid a bear encounter is to keep all food in sealed containers and coolers and lock them in your car whenever you are not cooking or eating.
Avoidance of bears is always the best policy, but in the unlikely event of an encounter and subsequent attack, keep your cool and do everything you can to save yourself.
About the Author PepperSpray.com (http://www.pepperspray.com), a division of Encom Safety, Inc, began training people in the use of mace pepper spray in 1994. We sell security products to people who want to feel prepared for emergencies and safer. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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