Results: How to survive a bear attack
Published on 10/08/2016
Experts say "the odds of encountering a bear outside the wild are slim."
QUESTIONS
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1.
1.
BROWN BEAR vs BLACK BEAR: First, know what bear you're dealing with. If you're in the eastern part of the country, you'll only come in contact with black bears. If you're out west, brown bears, or grizzlies (distinguished by a shoulder hump and a concave or "dished" facial profile) are also a possibility. What can be confusing is if you go out west, black bears can be brown or cinnamon in color. Are you aware of the differences between a brown bear (grizzly) and a black bear?
Yes
44%
637 votes
No
40%
589 votes
Undecided
7%
104 votes
Not Applicable
9%
130 votes
2.
2.
How to Survive a Grizzly Attack: what facts are you familiar with?
Carry bear pepper spray: experts recommend that hikers in bear country carry with them bear pepper spray. UDAP bear pepper spray will usually stop a bear in it's tracks.
36%
519 votes
Don't run: when you run, the bear thinks you're prey and will continue chasing you, so stand your ground. And don't think you can out run a bear, they can reach speeds of 30 mph.
53%
780 votes
Drop to the ground in the fetal position: cover the back of your neck with your hands, and hit the ground immediately and curl into the fetal position.
39%
575 votes
Play dead: If they think you're dead, they won't think you're threatening. Once the bear is done tossing you around and leaves, continue to play dead. Grizzlies are known for waiting around to see if their victim will get back up.
46%
675 votes
N/A
29%
417 votes
3.
3.
How to Survive a Black Bear Attack: what facts are you familiar with?
Carry bear pepper spray: with the grizzly bear, bear pepper spray should be your first line of defense in a bear attack.
36%
526 votes
Stand your ground and make lots of noise: black bears often bluff when attacking. If you show them you mean business, they may just lose interest.
39%
564 votes
Don't climb a tree: black bears are excellent climbers. Climbing up a tree won't help you out here.
31%
454 votes
Fight back: if the black bear actually attacks, fight back. Use anything as a weapon (rocks, sticks, fists, or your teeth). Aim your blows on the bears face (particularly the eyes and snout).
24%
355 votes
Fight back: when a black bear sees that their victim is willing to fight to the death, they'll usually just give up.
20%
293 votes
N/A
38%
551 votes
4.
4.
Drop the Food, Cameras: what facts are you familiar with?
If you're camping, make sure you move the food away from where you're sleeping. And make sure you're using bear-proof containers that restrict odors.
50%
729 votes
The most common interactions are with campers or backpackers who have food that the bear can smell.
39%
572 votes
If you're awake and approached by a bear, drop any food you're holding.
33%
483 votes
Keep cameras and smartphones pocketed. People try to interact with the bear, not realizing they're wild animals while using their cameras.
24%
352 votes
N/A
37%
534 votes
5.
5.
They say you are more likely to get struck by lightning, compared to being attacked by a bear. Do you believe this fact to be true? Yes
30%
442 votes
No
20%
290 votes
Undecided
32%
473 votes
Not Applicable
17%
255 votes
6.
6.
Have you or do you know of someone that has been attacked by a bear in the area where you live? Yes
8%
123 votes
No
71%
1034 votes
Undecided
4%
52 votes
Not Applicable
17%
251 votes
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