… If You Encounter A Bear
- Stay calm.
- Speak in a firm authoritative voice and slowly back away.
- Leave escape routes open for the bear.
- If the bear begins to follow you, drop something – not food – to distract the bear as you move away.
- Do not make threatening gestures or sudden moves unless you are being attacked.
What to do if you see a bear Nova Scotia?
Drop something – not food – to distract the bear as you move away. unless you are being attacked. ➢ Never act physically aggressive towards a bear unless your life depends on it. Although, there are no records (as of July 2002) of bear attacks on humans in Nova Scotia, the potential exists.
What should you do if you see a black bear?
Never run away from or approach him. Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms or, better yet, a coat. Make as much noise as possible by yelling, banging pots and pans or using other noisemaking devices. If the bear approaches and you have bear spray, spray the bear as he approaches.
What should you not do when you see a black bear?
Black Bears Rarely Become Aggressive
“Know what to do when you see a bear. NEVER run from a bear. Don’t approach a bear – just quietly move away and leave the area. However, if a black bear does approach you, make yourself look big, make loud noises, clap your hands, and continue to back away.”
Has there ever been a black bear attack in Nova Scotia?
In Canada, Black bears have on rare occasions stalked and attacked humans. We have not known bears in Nova Scotia to do this, yet the potential exists.
Should you call the police if you see a bear?
Seeing a bear walking through an elementary school or heavily populated area with people would warrant a 911 call. Seeing a bear on the outskirts of town in a less populated area might warrant a call to your local police or sheriff department’s non-emergency number.
Should you stand still if you see a black bear?
Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
Will a black bear chase you?
Just like dogs, bears have a predatory instinct to chase running animals — so running may only make the bear chase you. You’ll also want to avoid trying to climb a tree, as grizzly bears and black bears are also able to climb them.
Will a black bear hurt a human?
The 750,000 black bears of North America kill less than one person per year on the average, while men ages 18-24 are 167 times more likely to kill someone than a black bear. Most attacks by black bears are defensive reactions to a person who is too close, which is an easy situation to avoid.
Can you scare a black bear away?
To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an airhorn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.
How can you tell if a black bear is near you?
Black Bear Sign
- Bear Tracks and Trails. Bears walk on the soles of their soft feet, so they often do not leave distinct tracks unless they walk through soft mud or snow.
- Scat / Droppings.
- Marking Trees and Poles.
- Straddle Trees and Bushes.
- Feeding Sign.
- Summer Beds.
- Winter Dens.
What to do if a bear is charging you?
Running may trigger an instinctive reaction to chase you. If the bear charges, stand your ground. Playing Dead: Playing dead should only be used if you are sure the bear will make contact. In this instance, drop to the ground, and lie flat on your belly, interlocking your fingers to cover your neck and head.
Is it normal for black bears to be out during the day?
Bears are usually active from dawn to dusk, but they may be seen any time of day or night. Bears in many places of high human use have become nocturnal in order to avoid people.
How likely is it that a black bear will attack you?
It’s normal to be somewhat alarmed if you come face-to-face with a black bear. But the reality is that black bears are rarely aggressive. Actual attacks by black bears are rare. Knowing how to behave when encountering bears and how rare bear attacks actually are can keep you safe and provide peace-of-mind.
What time of year are black bears most active?
Bear Behavior
Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer. Mating usually takes place in July. Both female and male bears may have more than one mate during the summer. Bears choose a denning site with the coming of cold weather.
Do black bears stalk humans?
It stalks you just like a lion might stalk you.” Given that there are about 900,000 black bears in North America, the number of attacks is small, but it has increased as both the human and bear populations have grown. Eighty-six percent of attacks occurred between 1960 and 2009, 17 of those since 2000.
What happens if you stare a bear in the eyes?
If you encounter a black bear, do not make eye contact. If you make eye contact, black bears will take this as an act of aggression.
Should you stare a bear in the eyes?
Avoid direct eye contact. Walk away slowly, if the bear is not approaching. If the bear charges, stand your ground (you cannot outrun it). Don’t scream or yell.
What should you do to avoid a bears encounter?
Bears can be unpredictable but these tips will increase the likelihood of a good outcome.
- Talk to the bear. Talking to the bear calmly helps the bear to know that you are human and not another animal.
- Stand your ground and stay still.
- Don’t panic, but stay calm.
- Stand tall.
- Move away slowly.
- Get out of the area.
Should you fight a black bear?
Black bears would rather flee than fight. If you make yourself appear as a threat by waving your arms, shouting, and making yourself big, you should scare black bears away. Step 2: Use bear pepper spray. If getting big doesn’t work, reach for the pepper spray.
Can black bears be aggressive?
Black bears are dangerous wild animals that can act aggressively when threatened; yet there are a very low number of fatal bear attacks yearly. There is an average of one fatal black bear attack in North America every year, according to AZ Animals, which lists a total of 16 fatal attacks since 2010.