"Glacier Bay landscape, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, 2015." by U.S. National Park Service , public domain
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Bear Safety
In Alaska’s National Parklands
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bears and campers often frequent the same areas in Alaska’s
national parks. In coastal parks, both tend to spend time on the
beach, the narrow band of land found between the sea and the
brush, forest, or steep cliffs. Bears prefer these areas because they
often contain abundant vegetation for grazing and make travel
easy, while campers prefer these areas for cooking and because
they offer easy access to kayak travel. Inland parks are also home
to bears and it is important that campers respect their space.
It is likely that bears and campers will encounter one another, but
by remaining calm and following the basic advice of experienced
bear behaviorists, you increase the odds of a positive outcome
for both you and the bear.
Some parks require campers to attend an orientation at the
Visitor Information Station. During this orientation a park
ranger will inform you about areas that are closed to
camping due to high bear activity or recent bear/human
encounters. If the park you are visiting does not have a bear
safety orientation, take the time to read this brochure and
learn how you can camp safely in bear country. Contact park
staff to obtain current information on bear safety issues.
Once in the backcountry you are on your own. Some parks
require you to obtain a camping permit and may issue free
bear-resistant food containers (BRFC).
Cover photo © Robert Sabin
Bear Signs to Watch for and Areas to Avoid
It is important to be “bear aware” when camping and hiking in Alaska’s national parks and to
avoid seasonal bear foraging areas (sedge meadows, berry patches, etc.). Bear signs are easy to
find if you know what to look for. Select a campsite with the least amount of bear sign and away
from seasonal bear foraging areas. Here are some signs to be on the lookout for:
Trails are formed because of consistent use. Bears
will often follow the path of least resistance, for
example, lakeshores and ridgelines.
A tree or log that has bear hair or claw marks
may indicate that it is a repeatedly used
bear rub-tree.
Large dug up areas could be forage sites, day
beds, or belly holes.
Narrow beaches with steep cliffs or extremely
dense brush do not allow a bear to pass safely.
Remember that at high tide a bear will not
have as much room to pass between your camp
and the high water line.
Neither you nor the bear want to be surprised
by the other. Avoid areas with restricted
visibility and make noise when exiting your tent.
Ask yourself: Can a bear walk by and pass
my campsite and cooking area unhindered?
Avoid salmon streams! Bears like fish. And a
noisy stream may lessen your ability to hear a
bear or for a bear to hear you.
Cooking and Storing Food
Photo © Terry D. DeBruyn
Keep all food and cosmetics in the BRFC
when not in use. Place any snacks, wrappers,
lip balm, sunscreen, etc. that were used
while kayaking or hiking into the BRFC
before entering your tent. It is not a good
idea to store food in kayaks overnight. At
night, store your BRFC and clean cooking gear
off of main animal trails, (in coastal parks above
high tide line) and at least 100 yards from your
tent and hidden in thick brush or behind rocks.
Prepare and consume food at least 100 yards from
your tent site and food storage area. Try to select
cooking areas where you can see a comfortable distance
to minimize the risk of a surprise encounter with a bear
passing through the area.
Minimize Bear Disturbance and Displacement
If camping in a coastal park, prepare and eat all
food in the intertidal zone, that area below the
seaweed debris line and the waterline. Cook and
eat as close to the water as possible so cooking
smells and any food particles will then be
washed away by the next tide.
National Park Service photograph
Be prepared to quickly stow all food
back into the BRFC if a bear
should suddenly approach.
Keep your gear together —
minimize the amount of space
that you occupy. Always ask
yourself, “Is there room for a
bear to get around us?” Or “Can I
quickly get all this gear under my control?”
Minimize the Risk of Having Your Gear Destroyed
Do not leave gear unattended. This
includes tents, clothes, pads, water
bottles, etc. Consider using a portable
electric fence to discourage bears from
investigating your camp.
Do not pursue or harass bears for the sake of a
close encounter or photograph, either on land or
from your watercraft.
Photo © Robert Sabin
While many bears seem to be tolerant of human
presence at distances farther than 100 yards, each
animal and situation is different. Pay attention to the
bear’s behavior and respect its right to feed and travel
undisturbed. Use telephoto lenses and binoculars.
Allow bears to pass by your camp undisturbed. If
you have made sure that the bear is aware of your
presence so it is not surprised and have kept all your
gear under your direct control, allow the bear to
pass by unhindered. You may just be afforded the
opportunity to safely observe this amazing creature
in its natural environment.
Photo © John Hyde
If you see a bear and it does not see you, back away out
of sight and change your course. Move out of the area
or quietly observe the bear at a safe distance without
approaching or otherwise disturbing it. Disturbance is
evident whenever a bear changes its behavior because
of you. If it stops eating and looks up, sniffs the air with
ears erect, trying to locate you, you are too close! Bears
only have 6- 8 months to acquire the calories and fat
reserves needed for the entire year. Give them space!
When choosing your tent site avoid areas
frequented by bears, camping in travel
corridors (e.g., river corridors and trails),
and do not camp in the intertidal zone.
Keep gear together and under your
immediate control. In coastal areas
minimize the amount of space you take
up on a beach. Again, ask: “Is there
room for a bear to get around our
camp?” A Tip: set up tents after making
dinner and take them down before
breakfast in order to keep all gear
with or very near you in the intertidal
when cooking or packing up kayaks.
Elevate your reaction if a bear
elevates its inquisitiveness. If a bear
approaches make noise, wave your
arms, etc. Stand your ground! Never
surrender your gear to a bear!
Photo © John Schoen
Bear scat or tracks that seem very recent or
abundant. Be alert.
Basic Bear Safety Tips
As the number of visitors to bear country in Alaska increases
so does the number of human/bear encounters. The vast
majority of these encounters do not result in human injury
or fatality. However, a much larger proportion of these
encounters do result in the bear’s death. You can help prevent
injury to yourself, to others, and to the bear by taking a few
basic precautions.
Stay Alert
Stay constantly alert in bear country. Use your ears, eyes, and
even your nose to detect the presence of a bear. The sooner
you are aware of the bear, the more time you and the bear
will have to react appropriately.
Be Visible, Make Noise
Avoid Bears
If possible change your course to avoid the bear or move out of
the area slowly. Never approach a bear, even from your boat or
kayak. Approaching bears is dangerous and can cause undue
stress and disturbance to the bear increasing the risk of attack.
Store Food Properly
Keep all food and scented items under your immediate control
at all times. While camping, keep a clean camp and store food
appropriately.
Report Bear Encounters
If you have an encounter, report it to a park ranger as soon
as possible. This will alert others and enable park staff to
respond appropriately to the situation if necessary.
Photo © Terry D. DeBruyn
A surprise encounter with a bear is dangerous and can be
terrifying. However, you can reduce the potential for such
encounters. Avoid surprises by traveling in open areas with
good visibility. Make noise as you walk, particularly in thick
brush, or when rounding a blind corner — talk, clap, and sing.
Be extra alert in windy conditions or near noisy streams or
beaches that may mask your sounds. When possible, travel
with the wind at your back.
Safety in Numbers
The larger your group is, the less risk of a bear attacking.
Stay together as a group, particularly if visibility is poor.
What Should You Do if You Encounter a Bear?
First assess the situation. Does the bear see you? If the bear does not see you, simply move away from
the bear and the encounter is over.
Non-defensive Bear Encounters
Defensive Bear Encounters
• If the bear is aware of you and either looking or not looking
at you, or moving steadily along a route, this can be
considered non-defensive behavior.
• Defensive behaviors arise when bears are defending food
or female bears are defending their offspring. Defensive
encounters usually occur suddenly and at close distances.
• Defensive behavior may include snorting, huffing, jaw
popping, and charging.
• If you note any of these behaviors STOP
AND STAND YOUR GROUND. Your safety
lies in calming the bear.
• Talk calmly to the bear; move slowly away
diagonally if the bear is stationary.
• Continue to monitor the bear as you
move from the area.
• If the bear renews its advance stop and
stand your ground again. Talk calmly to
the bear.
• If the bear charges remain non-threatening
and stand your ground. Most charges do
not end in contact. Now is the time to
use bear pepper spray if you have it!
What if you are hiking or kayaking and you encounter
a non-defensive bear?
• Change your course to avoid the bear.
Increase your distance from the bear and
stay alert to the bear’s whereabouts.
What if you are camping, cooking, or eating
and you encounter a non-defensive bear?
• Keep all of your gear under your direct
control.
• Make sure the bear is aware of your
presence. Talk calmly to the bear and stand
your ground!
• If you are in a group, stay together
without blocking the bear’s route. If the
bear is not focused on you allow the bear
to pass peacefully.
• If the bear approaches and is focused on
you, stand together and elevate your
defensive actions by shouting, yelling, and
waving your arms. Do not retreat from the bear. You can also
use noisemakers like air horns or bang pots and pans.
• If the bear departs the encounter ends.
• If the bear continues to approach, stand your ground and
remain assertive.
• If a bear charges you stand your ground and remain
assertive. Make yourself look big. Most non-defensive charges
do not end in contact.
• Now is the time to use bear pepper spray if you have it!
• If the bear makes contact fight back vigorously! This is
likely a predatory attack. Kick, punch, or hit the bear’s face,
eyes and nose.
Photo © John Hyde
Handling a Bear Encounter
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
What if the bear makes contact during
a defensive encounter?
• IF IT IS A BROWN BEAR, PLAY DEAD:
Lie face down with your hands clasped behind your neck
and legs spread apart so the bear can’t turn you over. Do
not move until the bear leaves the area. If the attack is prolonged and the brown bear begins to feed on you, fight back
vigorously! The encounter has now likely changed from a
defensive one to a predatory one.
• IF IT IS A BLACK BEAR, DO NOT PLAY DEAD:
Fight back vigorously!
• NEVER PLAY DEAD WITH A BLACK BEAR! Most black bear
attacks are predatory.
• FIGHT ANY BEAR THAT ATTEMPTS TO ENTER YOUR TENT!!
Left: Standing brown bear, photo © Robert Sabin