Do you have a fear of Grizzly Bears? Do you live or enjoy spending time in the wild? If so, understanding how to best handle a griz encounter is a must. Being prepared can be the deciding factor between making it home in one piece or being mauled.
This article provides an in-depth step-by-step guide on how to survive a griz encounter. You will learn everything from the signs to look for to the best way to act and respond. With these valuable tips and tricks, you'll be more confident about your safety the next time you face off with a grizzly bear.
First off… the only way you’re going to meet up with a griz in the wild is totally by accident. Either the grizzly is going from one place to another, and you are crossing it’s path, or the grizzly is preoccupied, and you come upon it unexpectedly.
Either way, the griz will immediately go into ‘defend and protect’ mode, and that means eliminating the threat… that’s you! So, your best chance of being mauled to death by a grizzly is to surprise it. Sneak up on it, or meet it on the trail as it’s heading down to the river for a drink and some fishing, or taking her cubs somewhere.
So, here’s what you do if you encounter a grizzly in the wild:
- Be prepared - you, and everyone in your party, must be equipped with bear spray. It’s red pepper oil that inflames the eyes and upper respiratory system. It will stop a grizzly from advancing on you if you use it early enough in the encounter. Hesitate, and the bear will be on top of you.
- Don’t run - your first thought is to run like hell, but do not run. If you do, the griz will chase you and eat you. Hold your ground and get your bear spray ready to fire in the bear’s direction.
- Avoid eye contact - don’t try to intimidate the griz with a stare down. Eye contact equals danger to the bear and it will take aggressive action. So, don't do it.
- If the griz does not approach - walk slowly away from the bear. Slowly! The more distance you can put between you and the griz, the better.
- Don’t scream - or make loud noises. You’re not going to scare the bear away, so don’t try. The only thing you’ll do by screaming is force it to take aggressive action.
- Discharge your bear spray - if you are in a standoff with a griz, do everything listed above, and then discharge your bear spray in the direction of the bear. Don’t worry about precise aiming of the spray. Just spray in the bear’s general direction. One word of caution - if the wind is blowing back in your face, do not spray!! If you do, the pepper oil will disable you, not the griz. Slowly change your position so that the wind is not in your face, then spray.
If you’re lucky enough to encounter a grizzly bear, don’t panic! By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be prepared and ready to handle the situation with ease. Assess the situation, stand your ground, make yourself appear large, speak loudly and firmly, and never approach the bear. Remember that although a grizzly bear encounter can be intimidating, it’s also a rare opportunity to be in close proximity to a truly majestic animal. So be brave and follow these steps to surviving a griz encounter. As the old saying goes, “safe and aware, not scared and unprepared.” You can and will come out victorious.
Ultimately, the best way to conquer a grizzly bear encounter is through advanced preparation and awareness of your surroundings. Knowing what to do in an unexpected encounter can be the difference between safety and danger. With the right knowledge and attitude, you can ensure that you and the grizzly bear will remain safe.
The mighty grizzly bear is a powerful symbol of the wilds. Arm yourself with knowledge and respect the wonderful animal, and it will pay off with a safe and successful encounter.
Let's honor the natural world by approaching all wild animals with respect. Remember the words of biologist, E.O. Wilson: “We are nature, struggling to understand itself.” With that knowledge in mind, we can all ensure a safe and successful grizzly bear encounter.