What Should You Do If You Encounter A Bear In Wyoming?

You're enjoying time in nature when, all of a sudden, you're face-to-face with a black bear. You freeze; you're worried about the steps you're supposed to take to handle the situation calmly and collectedly. Remember, the way you react can be the difference between a bear's fight-or-flight response.

If you're in bear country, you should always know what to do, and to really know what you need to do, you need to study and practice. Again, the way you react will play a big role in the outcome.

One way to prepare is to visit Wyoming Game and Fish Department's Bear Wise Wyoming page.

Bears would rather avoid contact with humans, but it happens. If you encounter a bear, keep these tips in mind.

• First and foremost, always carry bear spray when you're in bear country. Not only can the spray help defend you against a bear, but it can also help against other predators.
• If the bear sees you, you don't want to react poorly by running or making sudden movements. That could scare the bear and cause the bear to act defensively. If the bear doesn't pay attention to you and goes back to doing what it was doing, just back away slowly and quietly.
• If the bear sees you and reacts by huffing, clacking jaws, swatting, or scraping the ground, and their ears are laid back. Again, don't run, but if you're in a group, get closer together and look big, stand your ground, but don't be aggressive. Talk firmly to the bear, wave your arms, and have the bear spray on standby.
• If the bear starts moving toward you, stand your ground, keep talking to the bear, and get that bear spray ready.
• If the bear moves to within 30 feet, it's time to use your bear spray.
• If the bear becomes defensive and makes physical contact, fall to the ground, lie face down, protect your head, and don't move. When contact stops, remain still. Count to 500 before moving, so the bear knows that you're not a threat.

Again, practice makes perfect, and if you're headed to bear country, know how to use your bear spray. There are many factors to keep in mind so you don't do more harm than good.

Keep the spray accessible. If it's at the bottom of your pack, or in the tent, it does you no good. You only have seconds to react.

• Deploy the bear spray when the bear is 30 to 40 feet away
• Aim low, as the bear will charge with their head down.
• Practice drawing your bear spray. You can get an inert training canister to practice with.
• Mind the wind. You don't want the wind to blow it back into your face.
• Don't use it like bug spray. Don't spray it on yourself, the tent, or gear.
• Leave the safety clip on until you need to use it; again, practice will help you get all the steps down and ready to use.