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<\/a>Avoidance is the best deterrent<\/h2>\n
It\u2019s understandable that you would try to use a gun against a bear if you happen to be carrying one when it charges you, but wildlife experts are insistent that a firearm really doesn\u2019t need to become one of your hiking essentials.<\/p>\n
\u201cAvoiding conflicts with bears is easier than dealing with conflicts,\u201d said Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks in a statement following the July incident.<\/p>\n
How can you avoid bears in bear country? Well unless you stay out of the backcountry altogether, there\u2019s always the possibility of an encounter, but wildlife experts at Parks Canada have some tips to reduce your chances of meeting a bear.<\/p>\n
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- Stay on designated trails \u2013 bears are more likely to avoid well-trafficked areas.<\/li>\n
- Hike in larger groups when possible.<\/li>\n
- Make noise \u2013 talk (even to yourself), clap your hands or trekking poles together, blow your whistle.<\/li>\n
- Keep your dog on a leash as they can provoke defensive behavior in bears.<\/li>\n
- Watch out for signs of bear activity, such as scat, and leave the area immediately if you think a bear is nearby.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/a>
Watch out for signs of bear activity, such as scat, and leave the area immediately if you think a bear is nearby (Image credit: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Failing that, choose bear spray over bullets<\/h2>\n
If you do all of the above and still find yourself face-to-face with a charging bear, don\u2019t lament the fact that you don\u2019t have a handgun in your holster \u2013 just make sure you have your bear spray, says Larson.<\/p>\n
\u201cBear spray shoots out a whole cloud of aerosolized pepper spray, so when the bear is still coming at you, it passes through that cloud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mid-charge, the bear inhales that pepper spray \u2013 it gets in its eyes, nose and throat and it’s a terrible experience for the bear, according to Larson.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s unlike anything they\u2019ve ever experienced, and they just want to get out of there instantly. It changes the dynamic, and you don’t have to be a good shot with it. So it works much better, and it’s a lot less precise of a tool.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also means there’s a chance both you and the bear will get out of the encounter alive.<\/p>\n
Deploying bear spray doesn\u2019t take the same training as target practice, but you\u2019ll still want to read our article on how to use bear spray before you hit the trail so you know exactly how and when to press the trigger.<\/p>\n
Carrying bear spray is recommended in most places where bears are present, however it\u2019s important to note that it is banned in Yosemite National Park and on the John Muir Trail where black bears are present. You can buy it online, such as this one on Amazon, but remember that you can\u2019t fly with it if you are traveling to the mountains for a hiking trip, so see a local outfitter when you arrive.<\/p>\n