What To Do If You See A Bear In Pa?

Alert the bear — If you see a bear, make some noise to alert the bear of your presence, giving it ample time and space to turn and leave. Avoid being caught up in the excitement of seeing a bear and inadvertently letting the bear get too close before surprising it.

Should you call the police if you see a bear?

What should I do if I see a bear? A: If you see a bear in an urban area, we suggest notifying local law enforcement. Your local police or sheriff’s department will be in the best position to respond quickly and secure the area from a public safety standpoint.

What do you do if a bear is coming towards you?

Slowly wave your arms above your head and tell the bear to back off. Do NOT run or make any sudden movements. Do not make any loud noises or screams—the bear may think it’s the sound of a prey animal. Hike and travel in groups.

What to do if you see a black bear in your yard?

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.

Where do you aim at a charging bear?

Aim for the deadliest point you can find. On a close-in, charging bear, this will probably be the face or upper chest. Often full-attack grizzlies lower their heads as they come in, so that’s about all you have to aim at.

Should you stand still if you see a bear?

If you see a bear before it notices you: stand still, don’t approach and enjoy the moment. Then move away quietly in the opposite direction. If you encounter a bear that’s aware of you: don’t run; running may trigger a chase response. Back away slowly in the opposite direction and wait for the bear to leave.

Will yelling at a bear scare it 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.

Are black bears aggressive?

In fact, they are often attracted to people’s food sources or get used to the presence of humans. However, black bears are typically not aggressive and fear the “repercussions of attacking someone,” Garshelis said. “They just don’t want to attack people,” Garsheilis said. “They’re kind of timid animals.”

Can you outrun a bear?

Myth: Bears can’t run downhill.
Bears can run as fast as a horse (35 mph), and they can do it uphill, downhill, and everything in between. A bear can outrun you no matter what, so if you see one in the wild do not try to run away from it. Instead, you should stand tall, wave your arms, and talk loudly but calmly.

Do you lay down when you see a black bear?

Bear Attacks. Although the bear safety rhyme “If it’s brown, lay down. If it’s black, fight back. If it’s white, goodnight” sounds like good advice, you have to know why a bear is attacking you before you can decide the best way to respond.

Should you scare a black bear away?

The most effective noisemaker in bear country is you. Talking or singing loudly can help prevent surprise encounters with wildlife. With enough warning of your approach, wildlife typically remove themselves and their young from the area.

What smell repels black bears?

Bears also dislike the strong scent of pine-based cleaners, but avoid using anything with a fresh, lemony or fruity smell. And never mix bleach and ammonia; the combination produces fumes that can be deadly to both people and bears.

Will a 12 gauge slug stop a charging bear?

It is a common misconception that shotgun ammunition is a good way to chase away a bear. In reality, target or bird-hunting shot is an ineffective solution that often leads to unnecessary outcomes. Bears have relatively thin skin and shotgun ammunition can be extremely harmful and even lethal.

What gun will stop a charging bear?

44 Magnum is the minimum for charging bears, many others have opted for a Glock 20 in 10mm Auto and, interestingly enough, passed right by the . 357 S&W Magnum. Several folks have even successfully killed bears with a 9mm. While a well-placed shot from a 10mm can no doubt do the trick, the .

Is bear spray better than a gun?

No deterrent is 100% effective, but compared to all others, including firearms, proper use of bear spray has proven to be the best method for fending off threatening and attacking bears, and for preventing injury to the person and animal involved.

Should you throw rocks at a bear?

Don’t yell or throw rocks. If the bear charges, stop backing away and use your bear spray. If the bear shows no signs of stress and is approaching, make yourself look big and scary by outstretching your arms, holding packs above your head, making loud noises, throwing rocks, and preparing to use your bear spray.

Should you turn your back to a bear?

Instead, stay calm, keep your bear spray in your hand, and slowly back away while talking in an appeasing voice. Do not turn your back on the grizzly, but move slowly away to show you are not a threat. A grizzly may bluff charge, or bang the ground, to show dominance.

Does staring down a bear work?

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.

Does clapping keep bears away?

Bears won’t hear the bells until you’re too close. Yelling, clapping, and talking are more effective ways of alerting a bear to your presence.

How do you stop a bear from attacking you?

How to Survive a Black Bear Attack

  1. Carry bear spray. As with the grizzly bear, bear spray should be your first line of defense in a bear attack.
  2. Stand your ground and make lots of noise. Black bears often bluff when attacking.
  3. Don’t climb a tree. Black bears are excellent climbers.
  4. Fight back.

What animal Are bears afraid of?

“Bears are naturally afraid of canids,” Hunt says. “Why? Because packs of coyotes can steal cubs.” The most common breed of bear dog is the Karelian bear dog, a black-and-white working dog that hails from the region between Finland and Russia called Karelia.