What to do if you meet a bear

What to do in order not to meet a bear in the forest

Brown bears rarely attack humans. Usually they are quite cautious and tend to avoid meeting people. If the animal knows in advance about the approach of a person, and even more so of a group, then it will try not to show itself and, most likely, will go aside on its own.

If, however, a connecting rod bear wanders in the forest, which was forced to leave the lair ahead of time, or a wounded animal, the meeting can be extremely dangerous.

To reduce the risk of running into an animal in forest, it is worth observing a few rules.

1. Do not wander through dense thickets. Bypass the side of the square, overgrown with shrubs. Stay away from the windbreak. It is better to move in open places and use paved paths.

2. In no case do not move along the bear trail. So you run the risk of meeting with its owner, who may decide that you have invaded his territory.

The bear trail is easy to distinguish from the usual one. It looks like two chains of traces-depressions. They are located at a distance of about 20 centimeters from each other.

In general, you should not go along the path if it seems to you that you left traces on it. wild animal. It is better to look for another way in the forest. It is especially important to observe this rule in winter or early spring. If you see footprints in the snow that may look like a bear, immediately move to the side and try to stay in open places.

3. Be noisy. This rule is one of the main ones for those who would not like to meet a bear. So talk, sing, laugh, stomp loudly. If you are walking alone, you can tie a bell to your backpack. A healthy adult bear doesn't want a collision just like you do. Therefore, warn him in advance that there are people in the forest - he himself will try not to meet you.

4. Do not take decorative dogs or other small animals with you into the forest. A large hunting or guard dog can help you and drive off the brown bear. But if a small lap dog runs away and stumbles upon a clubfoot predator, it will get scared, rush back and bring the bear to you. Better to avoid such a meeting.

5. Do not leave food waste in the forest. As well as food packaging and cans. Moreover, it is impossible to arrange large dumps. Even if you buried waste in the ground, the bear can smell it. This will make a dangerous resting place for the following groups. Take the waste with you, and if this is not possible, burn it.

6. Never approach animal remains. And also to the hills of fish lying on the shore. Maybe the bear considers all this his prey. Then he will protect his property.

7. Do not move along the banks of rivers after sunset and before sunrise. At this time, the bears are fishing and will definitely not be happy if they are disturbed.

What to do if you see a bear

A common situation: you have found a bear, but he has not noticed you yet. For example, he is keen on fishing or feasting on berries. The distance between you is more than 10 meters, and the noise of the water prevents the beast from hearing your steps. Or you accidentally saw a clubfoot who fell asleep in the forest.

In such cases, leave immediately. Do not try to take a picture of a bear, even if it does not look at you at all. You don't know when he will turn to you. Or wake up if you're sleeping. Remember: the beast does not like very much when it is taken by surprise.

Therefore, try to leave in the direction you just came from, or go around the danger zone in a wide arc. Don't let the bear out of your sight and don't turn your back on it.

Important: never approach cubs. When you see them, leave immediately. There may be a bear nearby. If she sees you, she can instantly attack, because she will perceive you as a threat to the kids.

What to do if a bear sees you

The first and most difficult is not panic. Remember that a healthy bear in its usual habitat rarely attacks a person. And try to maintain confidence and composure.

The bear tries not to conflict with large creatures, so try to appear bigger. For example, lift a backpack over your head. Or open your raincoat or jacket, spread your arms to the sides. If you are traveling in a group, get together - the beast may see a massive silhouette and decide that it is better to get out of the way.

If a bear has reared up on its hind legs, it is usually not dangerous. Mishka just wants to get a better look at who is in front of him.

To break contact, step back and diagonally. At the same time, say something out loud in a loud and confident voice, make noise, stamp your feet.

But don't scream like a beast, don't squeal, don't show your teeth. Moreover, you can not growl. You absolutely do not need to be like an aggressive animal. And on a weak creature that can become prey, too.

You can knock on the pot with a spoon, shoot from a rocket launcher. If you have a weapon, it is also worth shooting up to make some noise and scare the bear. But in no case do not aim at him! If you are not the most experienced hunter and before that you have not met with the beast one on one, then you can injure the predator. In this case, he will surely rush at you, and you will not be able to get away from the fight.

For the same reason, you should not try to use a knife or an ax for self-defense. You will only inflict a wound on the beast and turn it into an extremely dangerous opponent.

If the bear continues to move and has already approached you, stop. Keep talking loudly, knock on trees. But do not make aggressive attacks and movements and do not look the animal directly in the eyes: for him this is a signal of readiness to attack.

If the bear has stopped, you can slowly move back again.

But in no case should you turn your back on the beast and run!

This is how prey behaves, and the hunting instinct can push the bear to pursue. You still can't get away from the beast: it is capable of move at speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour.

The only reliable remedy is pepper spray. But be careful: an ordinary canister that can stop a person will not affect a brown predator in any way. Take with you to the forest only special products with red capsicum extract, designed for bears, and keep them at hand. They operate at a distance of 5-6 meters.

Be careful: if the wind blows in your direction, the spray may harm you, not the bear.

What to do if you meet a group of bears

This meeting is much more dangerous. Brown bears can walk in groups during the rut. Young males during this period behave aggressively and may rush on any large object that moves.

The bear rut lasts from spring to mid-July, so in the first half of summer you need to be especially careful. Better not walk to those places where bears live, alone.

Young individuals are also dangerous, which for some time stick together. They are not yet familiar with people, and the feeling that they are not alone can make them more active. Such couples or groups may try to ravage the camp at a halt and steal food supplies. They need to be driven away - with shouts, noise, knocking, shots upwards. And do not approach them if you see them in the forest.

We repeat once again: never, under any circumstances, approach cubs or a bear with cubs!

Such meetings can end in an accident - the she-bear will stop at nothing to protect cubs.

What to do if a bear attacks you

If the attack did occur, the main thing is not to try to run and not scream.

Drop to the ground immediately. Lie on your stomach, but better - curl up in a ball and clasp your fingers in the lock at the back of your head. Your job is to be still and protect your belly, neck and face.

If the bear tries to roll you over on your back, slowly and smoothly roll over back to hide your face. But do it naturally, as if by inertia. Don't make sudden movements.

Usually the bear loses interest in the fight if he sees that the enemy is no longer dangerous. He fulfilled his task: he protected prey or territory. So it will most likely go away. But if he sees or hears that you are moving, he may linger or return.

The bear's attack always stops abruptly. Your task is to wait until he leaves a sufficient distance. And then immediately leave the dangerous territory.