This is beyond good - it's fabulous. I live in bear country and this video is The Most succinct and professional advice I've ever heard on bear safety. Well done!
Bear attacks are sooo rare, proceeds to tell the story of a bear charging at him 3 times in one event. I think I would crap in my pants, then die of a heart attack.
LOL. In the moment you'll be surprised how calm you can remain when your life depends on it. Panic would have likely made this situation a deadly one. Thankfully, we both found a peaceful exit.
Thanks for sharing! I went on a solo hike on Jasper recently and encountered not one but two grizzlies during the hike. Everything went just fine, they didn’t cared about me. I did the whole hike singing and clapping once in a while to make noise.
"Les McDonald" is perhaps the probably the most Canadian name I've ever heard, and I've lived my whole life in Alberta. Great video, thanks for the valuable information!
Do you take bear spray into the wild with you? Would you use it when a bear charges you? We all take bearspray when we go out hiking or mountainbiking, never used though and had a few close bear encounters here in the kootenays
yes yes, of course ANTI-BEAST SPRAY... .... when you are in a situation where you already need to somehow PROTECT yourself FROM AN ANIMAL - SAVING A LIFE - then the SPRAY helps 100%, but only AFTER THE BEAR BREAKS YOUR NECK...
Merci pour le partage de vos expériences. Cela me sera fort utile pour mes randonnées au mois d août prochain sur le Brazeau loop et à Glacier National Park. Thanks a lot !....
This was easily the most straight forward, informative and positive video on this subject. Happy the algorithm is being good to you and putting you by the top of the search results :)
@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada I don't have any plans to visit currently but I would love to when I have the money and for the record yes, I feel much safer doing so with the knowledge from your video.
I am used to black bear encounters, but grizzly it’s an other cup of tea, there’s no grizzly in Quebec. I’m about to solo trek the Donjek route in Yukon and I’m learning about grizzly behavior for eventual encounters. Thanks for this very informative video
Be careful, not only is Brown Bear behaviour different from Black Bear behavior - a distinction this video totally fails to make, but Brown Bears in the Yukon may behave significantly differently from Brown Bears in more densely populated areas, and most of the advice you will find is optimized for Grizzlies in areas like Jasper, Banff, and Yellowstone, where the bears get used to occasionally seeing people, consequently being less likely to act in surprised and nervous ways during an encounter. Since surprise and stress are the main factors that tend to make an encounter with a Grizzly dangerous, in a remote area like Yukon, it is even more important to diligently take all the usual precautions, doing all you can to avoid surprises, and staying as far away from Grizzlies as possible in case you see any.
@@TheCanadian888 Glad to hear that, hiking in the Yukon must be an awesome experience. On the other hand, i guess nobody is surprised that you survived. There isn't anything wrong with hiking in grizzly territory, in particular when you do your homework in advance to educate yourself and behave properly. The advice of "just stay away" feels more geared towards polar bears than towards grizzlies.
"If you do see a bear, you have to ask yourself 2 questions." 1. What have I done to my live-in mother-in-law to deserve this? 2. Did I put down the toilet seat before I left the house?
Thank you so much for the tips. A friend of mine whose husband is a hunter told me to carry a whistle because bears hate the sound and to also spray strong perfume because they dislike the smell. I think the problem with perfume is that it may attract bugs. What do you think?
I think this only applies for bear attacks, not encounters, the difference could mean life or death. You certainly don’t want to go charging into battle if you see a black bear and it’s not attacking yet.
It's it black you're on crack. If its brown flush it down. If its white its right. If its yellow let it mellow. If it blue screw you. If its red you're dead. Etc...
The likelihood is low but...don't keep any food in your tent. There are bear proof lockers at every campsite. And there will be bear warnings if bears have been sight2d near the campground
What are your thoughts on bear spray if a grizzly charges you? Would it be a good idea to stand your ground and use the bear spray and horn if the bears charges/gets too close?
I'm not a bear spray advocate, but it's not say it doesn't work. But it's fact that many grizzly bears have only gotten more pissed off after being sprayed. Look at all of the people who get pepper sprayed in riots etc...many of them fall to their knees, but many of them also get even more enraged. My personal view is, that if a black bear attacks, I stand my ground and fight like hell. If a grizzly attacks I play dead. There's a whole other conversation to be had there. Perhaps it's time for another video!
How come there is no mention of carrying bear spray in bear country? It's not infallible but been studied enough that it is a deterrent. I have a wilderness cabin and I carry one on ea hip. Never had to use it...yet.
if you play dead, why would he leave you instead of just having a free meal? when the bear charges you, what has caused you to keep walking back instead of making noise/charging him? you cant know if he is all out or bluffing
I had a Sitka bear rush me while field dressing an elk (wasn’t a bluff). I’ll let you guess where I was. I didn’t think a bear would start a full-on rush from over 100 meters away. This one did. So, I had about 5 seconds until impact. Would you recommend waiting for it to get closer and deploy bear spray? Start shooting immediately? I made the decision to deploy my first can of bear spray, in a huge wall in front of me, while moving backwards quickly. By the time it was empty, my super redhawk was out and I shot the bear. The spray dissipated too much and it was still moving forward. I had to empty the entire cylinder. I had zero chance to reload. It stopped about 15 feet away after the sixth round, then lunged forward two more steps and dropped. The game warden didn’t have much to say. Never got feedback. I don’t know if I made the correct call, but that’s the call I made and I own it. Oh, I always carry a bear tag with me now. I didn’t have one then. I had to decapitate the bear and pack the head and part of the cervical spine out. Not cool. The elk didn’t make it, to say the least.
Well, hunting and having an easy meal in front of an opportunist bear is a totally different story. But this is a Canadian National Park, and a) We aren't allowed to hunt anything (so a dressed and bloody deer won't be an attractant) and b) We aren't allowed to have firearms which is the basis of my advice in this video. But for a fact, I'm glad you walked away and hopefully got to put that deer in your freezer. :)
Can I ask why you didn’t get loud and aggressive in your explanation of your interaction? You kept calm each time he charged you. So I’m confused why the original advice was not followed. Thankyou for your response! And the video. I want to go hiking with my 7 year old son. And I’m very scared for us to have this encounter.
Please let me clarify. When trying to calmly walk away, you remain calm. You speak calm and you slowly retreat while making NO eye contact. You only get loud and aggressive if you are being attacked. Otherwise you only provoke an attack which you don't want to do.
Hey Kelly. I'd say any noise can't hurt. But you want to enjoy the natural sounds. I'd just make noise. Whatever works for you, and makes the bears aware of your presence. Then you should be good. And travel in groups of 3 or more if you can.
very nice and useful video, thank you. is there any guideline as to which foods to bring on your hike? Is there any sort of food or snack that would not be recommended to carry?
Thank you. Hmm. Sounds like another video! I would bring trail mix (nuts and raisins), granola bars, beef jerky on occasion. Make sure you have lots of water and don't eat snacks that are too salty or full of sugar like chips or candy. Dates and almonds are a wicked couple of snacks to have and good energy with nutritional value for sure. (Don't bring fish snacks like sardines) That being said, when mountain biking for distance, I'd bring a pop tart with me (I know, no nutritional value LOL) for some quick and slow release energy in case I felt myself losing steam. i.e. Rundle loop from Banff to Canmore, up to Spray Lakes, and then back to Banff, all in a wonderful loop around Mount Rundle. I'd always have my camel back for that because it was a lot of easy to access water in a small backpack. Make sure your foods are all in resealable bags so you aren't creating too much food odor or making your pack smell like a buffet hee hee.
Your question sounds as if you wonder whether you can select your food such that it is less attractive to bears. No, that is not going to work. Whatever food you bring must always be stored safely overnight - either in bearproof containers provided by the campside or by hanging if from a bearpole or, failing all that, by *properly* hanging it from tree(s). Bears may eat anything from tree bark, some kinds of leaves, roots, tubers, flowers, berries and fruits, nuts, grubs, fish, small mammals, carrion (no matter whether it's fresh or seriously rotten and full of maggots) and they rarely get sick from whatever they eat, even when it's badly rotten. A bear will like almost anything that a human might consider acceptable, and much more besides. That talk about avoiding bear attractants applies to what you plant in your garden, not to which food to take on a hike. In a nutshell, if you live in Canmore, do not plant an apple tree in your backward (because that would attract bears into town for the harvest) - but taking an apple along for your hike? Sure, no problem with that, just store it properly.
@@IngoSchwarze thank both of you for your answers. I was not clear, we’d only be doing day hikes, so no camping or cooking, then no need for bearproof containers. I just wanted to see if there would be any food that should be avoided to take, but I understand that bears would gladly eat anything we eat.
Good question and a common one. I never carried bear spray. I feel like if you take the right precautions you'll never need it. But that being said, I plan to do a video on bear spray.
the only time I was close to a black bear was one sniffing around my back door at 7 am in October 2015. It was also the only time ever I was carrying two pails of honey to deliver to a friend. How lucky. Anyway my wife and I watched it from our verandah as it stood up to check out the bird feeders. I said “hi, bear” and it turned and loped away. A positive encounter I’d say.
If you have to stand your ground against a bear that is aggressively approaching you, would it be advisable to start making very intense eye contact? I bet most bears would be very scared and confused if you started doing the "Haka".
Thanks Les for good tips, what about the Bear spray, does it work? I have watched so many videos and they recommend to carry bear spray just in case. 🙃
Hey Nadeem, bear spray is something I'll talk about in another video. I don't think you'll ever need bear spray if you follow these tips. 22 Years in the Rockies and I never carried bear spray. There are many opinions as to whether it works or not.
yes yes, of course ANTI-BEAST SPRAY... .... when you are in a situation where you already need to somehow PROTECT yourself FROM AN ANIMAL - SAVING A LIFE - then the SPRAY helps 100%, but only AFTER THE BEAR BREAKS YOUR NECK...
@@susiearviso3032 The point is that bear country also happens to be some of the most incredibly beautiful country you'll ever experience in your life. Your chances of getting killed in a car crash on the way to bear country FAR, FAR exceed your chances of being killed by a bear once you get there.
I'd say it can't hurt but these bells aren't as good as a good "Whoop whoop!" But if it makes you feel comfortable, and you can handle the constant jingle go for it. I never used them personally. However, it does let other hikers know you are coming around the corner!
What about loud continuous whooshing noises, like twirling a long nylon sock with a weight in the end over your head like a helo rotor? I heard that years ago. Maybe it’s for wolves. PS you didn’t mention bear or pepper spray : is that ineffective?
When I was 14, I was fishing in a California Sierra stream when I heard something nearby. It sounded like a goat, so I approached the brush to take a look. Then suddenly the bushes erupted and a horrible roar occurred. I was being rushed by a very angry bear. For a bare second I saw the bushes bouncing toward me. There was no conscientiousness or decision making in the moment. I ran.. the sounds behind me were horrible. It's like a dream because I just remember flying over a log as if I was picked up by angels. I could hear the horrible sounds behind me. I never looked back and ran out of the area. My mind recorded the minimum in the moment and I don't know how I got so much speed over the river rocks. Instinct prevailed!
Can you do a video about cougars. I live in Cochrane and heard one about 200 meters away from me and I was also in a ring of animals being chased by one (it could of also been a black bear) but since that they’ve been my worse fear along with other large predators
If you're in a bar or bowling alley, for example, and cougars start bothering you, just say no and that you're happily married. She'll wander off and bother someone else.
Nope. But there's no harm to it. But in my opinion, it's a false sense of security that actually makes you more paranoid. I'd spend that $$ on some good locally made craft beer in Banff or Jasper.
What about commercial campgrounds like KOA in the States? I mean, there are over 50 pitches and everyone is cooking over an open fire. That must attract every bear in the area
I used to think exactly the same thing but Parks Canada, and the advice has evolved. The most important thing to do is read the situation. I agree that there is a big difference between how Grizzly bears and black bears behave but I'm inclined to agree with how Parks Canada has decided to educate on this. This is especially important to keep simple for new visitors so that they don't get themselves confused. Thank you for sharing your wisdom though I agree. But at the end of the day, black or brown, if you play dead and the attack becomes predatory, the only thing you have left to do is fight for your life rather than just give it up. At least that's my feeling.
Hey thanks so much. I'm glad the video was clear. I may do a video specifically on Bear Spray. The jury is out on how effective this is and if you even need it. After 22 years in the back country I can tell you that I never used it and I'm still here. I'd say if you really want to spend the money on it, that I'd only take it into the real backcountry where you are further away from other humans. On most marked trails there's no point as there are enough humans to keep bears away. But personally, I think it doesn't matter either way. If it makes you feel better by all means carry it. Just make sure you are really clear on how to use it and understand how dangerous it can be if you don't.
I know of at least one bear attack (hunter) where spray was discharged on a charging Griz at about 10 feet, the hunter got hit and mauled, but within the first couple of seconds the effects kicked in and grizzly got mad and disappeared - the guy survived. Have also see it work in multiple videos on curious bears. Won't stop every bear in every circumstance and isn't needed in most encounters (if you have the confidence to put on a show of strength), but when a bear is in locked onto you in predator mode (admittedly very rare), nothing short of spray or lead has a chance of stopping it@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada
Well as a martial artist it's true with people, and animals its best to avoid physical confrontation at all costs. But if you can't avoid it, fight like you are gonna win it.
bear spray is a non-lethal bear deterrent to be used before threat escalation comparable to CS gas usage, if you becomes its prey and you want to survive, you better have a plan B ready to execute ruclips.net/video/TZ5HJHZ8Mfw/видео.html and if you are not certain, just stay away from potential area
yes yes, of course ANTI-BEAST SPRAY... .... when you are in a situation where you already need to somehow PROTECT yourself FROM AN ANIMAL - SAVING A LIFE - then the SPRAY helps 100%, but only AFTER THE BEAR BREAKS YOUR NECK...
Surving a mauling is still a horrendous experience. One I don't want my loved ones or I to go through. I will always have bear spray and a firearm in bear country (wear firearms are legal to carry).
This is great tips indeed though I read many incidents that hikers, campers, even hunters got eaten by either black and grizzly bears due to their predatory behavior. Very scary
Oh that's just terrible that you have been mislead by these completely invalid representations about bear behavior. They are omnivors, with the majority of thier diet being vegetarian. Can you site these articles so we can look into who wrote these stories? It's terrible to see these magnificent, peaceful and wild creatures being painted in the wrong light. They deserve so much more respect, as do you. These sorts of stories absolutely insult your intelligence.
@@InsidersTravelGuideCanadaAlthough bear attacks are rare, there have certainly been maulings and fatalities - many of them unprovoked. I realize you spend a lot of time in the back country, but I find your advice to be over simplified. Perhaps you are catering to city people. Two friends of my husband’s were killed by a grizzly while field dressing an elk they had shot. We just spent 2 weeks in Banff and Jasper, and the park information advises hikers to carry bear spray and know how to use it. If you are in bear country, you should carry bear spray at the very least as well as a knife, as it is always best to be prepared. There were two bad maulings where each man survived because he had a knife - both grizzlies - one near Bella Coola, and one in the Alberta foothills. My husband has hunted and fished in the back country his whole life and never had a problem with a bear, but he takes it very seriously and is always prepared.
I’m Australian. I live in the country and spend a tonne of time outdoors doing photography and hiking. I’m coming to the Rockies. I’m terrified of bears, cougars, wolves, coyotes, etc, etc, etc. I’m in my 50s. I’ve only ever seen a shark at the beach once, but it was way out and the lifeguards evacuated the water. I’ve never seen a deadly snake in the wild, or a deadly spider. And, if I did, there’s no need to whip out a spray or consider if it’s going to attack. Snakes and spiders here don’t chase you. There’s no need to stand your ground or anything like that. If you do see a snake, you just walk away, give it space and all is good. There’s nothing like your big deadly animals here. Snakes don’t somedays decide they’re going to attack you instead. You have to really interfere with or deliberately attack the snake yourself before it will lunge at you. We can camp without worry. Hike without worry. Enjoy the outdoors and fishing and photography without worry. As I said, no need for any sprays or all that. I don’t get why people from Canada and USA focus on Australia when the animals they have are way more frightening in the wild and way more likely to engage in a threatening encounter with humans.
@@jamespmullin21753 only dingo I ever saw outside a zoo was domesticated as a pet. Never seen one in the wild. Fraser Island apparently has a few but they are more likely to attack humans that are careless. They’re not huge though. Maybe like a coyote. Estuarine crocodiles (that’s the correct name rather than salt water as they can be in either fresh or salt water in the coastal rivers) don’t really bother you unless you’re doing something foolish. We lived ten years in the far north of Australia (that’s the only area where they are and we don’t see them in the wild below the Tropic of Capricorn) and only ever saw them when we went on viewing tours. You just know that there are places to avoid at certain times of the year, and things you just don’t do or places you don’t swim. Dingos and crocodiles hardly compare to the range of bears, wolves, cougars/mountain lions/panthers /cougars and charging bison in the USA, especially because dingos and crocodiles are in specific areas of Australia. A pack of starving dingos… never seen such a thing in my life. Dingos are actually very shy animals. Like all animals, don’t be stupid around them and they will leave you alone. I still argue though that we have nothing as dangerous as America and Canada when it comes to huge animals that can chase you down without warning.
Don't have to worry about wolves, coyotes or cougars. They will avoid you. Bears on the other hand will eat you alive. They don't kill before starting to eat. Make noise, store food properly and away from you, and if you have bear spray, don't spray it around your camp site. It will just attract them. Happy camping.
I didn’t know that, thanks. I’ve been afraid of bears since I watched at age 13 the movie “Grizzly” in ‘76 but it never stopped me from hiking in a national park, at least in and east of Eastern Ontario. I make sure to have a jingle bell on my wrist, whistle a tune etc. and hope the bear isn’t deaf.
Thanks for"validating" my habbit of always assuming there is a bear in those bushes and talking to that (imaginary) bear. Only met one black bear who seemed in a hurry to cross the trail right in front of me. He was not heading for me, just running towards the lake to check a group of geese (it seems). Beautifull bear. I always carry grizzly grade 40 feet bear spray and an air horn (130 db). I hike alone all spring + summer. Never used those in last 4 years. NEVER SURPRISE A BEAR.... or me!😂
Probably yes. Last choice. Preferably you have a knife. Go for the eyes. There's a true story of a mauled hiker who stabbed a grizzly many times & got badly hurt, but he got both eyes. The grizzly bled to death & was located ~1km from the attack as it staggered around blind. The hiker survived & was interviewed on the CBC; he was lucky to survive.
Thanks for the video. However, it is very important to highlight how to act according to the bear's species (e.g. you do not want to play dead with a black bear).
MaVerick, you make a good point and there's a very good reason I have not included that distinction in this video. After 22 years in the Rockies I always used the analogy, Brown lie down, black fight back. However, Parks Canada has officially changed direction on this advice and I'm inclined to agree with their messaging. For new visitors especially, it's much more important to understand Bear Behavior than get mixed up about what to do with what color of bear. Most people hear this poem and can't remember if it's lie down for the brown, or the black, or whatever. It's a lot easier to remember and react to behavior and circumstances than anything.
@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada Besides, distinguishing the two species is much harder than many people think. Yes, sometimes one single property, e.g. the shoulder hump or the long claws, can be clearly seen, and that single property alone may then allow a positive identification, but often enough, it's not that obvious on first sight and you need to look for the face profile (which can be hard to judge from the front), the length and shape of the ears (which can be misleading when the fur is wet), or colour contrasts between the fur just above the paws and near the shoulders (if the lower part of the leg is significantly darker than the shoulders, that hints at a Brown Bear). In such cases, it is sometimes necessary to combine multiple properties for the identification, and even then, in some cases, especially with young bears, your experience may simply not be sufficient for a correct identification. Consequently, i will only follow advice for black bears when i'm absolutely sure it definitely is a black bear, and default to advice for brown bears in case of doubt. Misidentifying a brown bear as black is significantly more dangerous than the other way round. The only situation where misidentifying a black blear as brown might be dangerous is when it keeps actively stalking you - and not only is that exceedingly rare, but you are also very likely to sooner or later realize your mistake simply because a brown bear won't show that kind of behaviour in the first place. All that said, i still think that in those cases where i am very sure regarding the species, slightly adapting my response reduces risk. For example, when it's very clearly a black bear but doesn't react to my initial retreat by also turning away, i'll change tack relatively early to behave assertively like waving my arms and yelling at it, hence not encouraging it to approach any closer when defusing the situation by retreating doesn't work right away. On the other hand, when i'm sure it's a brown bear, i'll skip the part about waving arms and yelling (which can go badly wrong with a Grizzly if it is in a bad mood) and go straight from retreating and talking in a calm, soothing voice to using my bear spray at the optimal distance, if it keeps approaching. Either way, these are details, and learning the basics about bear behaviour that apply to both species must come first, no doubt about that.
This is great except it does not mention bear spray and also I've always been told never to play dead with a black bear. The year I lived in Jasper the only animal that ever charged me was a wapiti. My boyfriend had antagonised during rutting season then took and left me to face incoming antlers. I applied bear safety because no one had taught me any elk safety beyond don't antagonize them during rutting season. But talking calmly and standing my ground worked well. It stopped just short of impaling me then wandered off. Afterward my boyfriend told me I was crazy for standing up to a charging elk. But I had no choice, my fleeing boyfriend had backed me up into a fence.
You are right about the black bear advice. I'm making this more behavior oriented so people don't get mixed up but our "Locals Mantra" is Brown lay down and Black fight back.
You failed to mention "Carry Bear Spray with you" and know how to use it. Bear spray is your best defence if a bear continues to approach after you have tried talking it down. Much better than playing dead.
My dad always told my brother and I to wear saggy jeans tied up below our butts and to never tie our shoes in bear country but now I'm questioning the reasoning behind that advice
Nicholas you would be surprised but when you are in the situation your better instincts take over. As long as you know what to do. I was amazed at how I was able to remain calm. (But I was terrified!)
NEVER play dead with a black bear! If you play dead with a black bear you soon won’t be playing anymore. Playing dead works with a startled or threatened brown (Grizzly) bear, once they feel that the threat has been neutralized, they will likely leave. Of course, if they see you as a food source, you’re pretty much toast….but fight anyway because you just might be the exception!!
I’m more wary of mountain lions than a bear. At least bears don’t stalk u silently 😂. I often backpack alone in black bear / cougar country - I carry a spray but thankfully haven’t had to use it yet.
Me too. Problem is you never see the mountain lion until it's too late. But very, very seldom in Banff or Jasper at least. But keep your ears and eyes open.
That's not what I said. Watch again and let me know if you see it differently. Otherwise I will try to put some perspective in to it for you. And your response is valid.
The Revenant recount: - DiCaprio: "So, I was hunting and suddenly I see cubs. I turn around and there she is, charging at m.. - Them: "Hey Leo, remember what we aggreed on alright?" - DiCaprio: "...yeah so, as I was saying, I turn around and she's already charging at me. Didn't even manage a shot. She does a very negative experience on me. I scream, cause it's pretty negative. I turn around to improve the experience, which I didn't really enjoy, and she very negatively-experiences my back. That continued for some time, till my back was just one big negative experience. I gotta tell you, it really was all quite negative. Wouldn't rate that very highly at all. 0 out of 10 stars, never gonna try that again.
Lay down...slather some mayo on yourself and place a heaping serving of potato salad next to you. If he starts eating you... don't scream as this makes for a bad dining experience for the bear. Good advice...
Bear attacks are sooo rare," yet he tells the story of a bear charging at him three times in one event. Honestly, I think I’d just crap my pants and then die of a heart attack!
But remember, I was in the backcountry for at least 10 years before this happened. I spent more time in the wilderness, trying to encounters bears than most people could ever imagine. So, in the defense of the bears, it's quite rare indeed that you could have a negative encounter.
We don't see attacks all of the time. We just don't. Heck, 22 years in the Rockies, actually in the backcountry, I would know. Don't let rumors ruin the reality. :)
If car accidents are rare, why are there so many videos of them? Well duh, videos of people driving safely are kind of boring. In the same way the news media doesn't feature stories about people who didn't see a bear. It's called selection bias.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
This is beyond good - it's fabulous. I live in bear country and this video is The Most succinct and professional advice I've ever heard on bear safety. Well done!
Wow I'll take that as a big compliment thank you!!!
Nice video. I'm surprised you didn't talk about bear spray.
Bear spray? Do your homework. Ha ha! Do you know how many idiots have been attacked or killed in bear country?
I live in bear country but had not heard all your tips before. I made sure to place them first and foremost in my memory. Thank you.
I'm glad you found some helpful information in here. :) And thank you.
Bear attacks are sooo rare, proceeds to tell the story of a bear charging at him 3 times in one event. I think I would crap in my pants, then die of a heart attack.
LOL. In the moment you'll be surprised how calm you can remain when your life depends on it. Panic would have likely made this situation a deadly one. Thankfully, we both found a peaceful exit.
@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada I am glad you've kept your calm.
I think i would do the same !
@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada Glad the bear kept his calm.
Thanks for sharing! I went on a solo hike on Jasper recently and encountered not one but two grizzlies during the hike. Everything went just fine, they didn’t cared about me. I did the whole hike singing and clapping once in a while to make noise.
That is awesome!
You’re pretty brave! 🎉
Remember the bear safety rhyme if it decides to attack:
“If it's brown, lay down."
"If it's black, fight back."
"If it's white, say goodnight"
If it's brown, my pants will turn brown.
if its brown, check your pants 💩
well im fucked ... colorblind rhyme please?
@@lesbetts5694 if it is the same color as your poop, lay down - black and white should be fine for you ;)
If it's white, go towards the light.
"Les McDonald" is perhaps the probably the most Canadian name I've ever heard, and I've lived my whole life in Alberta. Great video, thanks for the valuable information!
Well thank you! From a fellow Albertan.
Oddly enough, that is also my diet strategy. Less McDonald's.
Loved the video, definitely feeling more confident about visiting now!
This video could save me one day my life! Thanks RUclips algorithm
Now that I’ve learned all about how to deal with a bear encounter I’m prepared for my Canadian hiking experience. Just me and my flame thrower.
LOL!
Do you take bear spray into the wild with you? Would you use it when a bear charges you? We all take bearspray when we go out hiking or mountainbiking, never used though and had a few close bear encounters here in the kootenays
I wouldn't go into bear country at all!
yes yes, of course ANTI-BEAST SPRAY...
.... when you are in a situation where you already need to somehow PROTECT yourself FROM AN ANIMAL - SAVING A LIFE - then the SPRAY helps 100%, but only AFTER THE BEAR BREAKS YOUR NECK...
@@susiearviso3032Yup. Fuck that.
Merci pour le partage de vos expériences. Cela me sera fort utile pour mes randonnées au mois d août prochain sur le Brazeau loop et à Glacier National Park. Thanks a lot !....
This was easily the most straight forward, informative and positive video on this subject. Happy the algorithm is being good to you and putting you by the top of the search results :)
I'm so glad you had value and appreciated the honesty here.
You answered all the questions I had. Thank you so much for making this video. Very informative 😊
I'm glad it was helpful. I hope it makes you feel safer and more at ease in the Rockies if you go there.
@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada I don't have any plans to visit currently but I would love to when I have the money and for the record yes, I feel much safer doing so with the knowledge from your video.
I am used to black bear encounters, but grizzly it’s an other cup of tea, there’s no grizzly in Quebec. I’m about to solo trek the Donjek route in Yukon and I’m learning about grizzly behavior for eventual encounters. Thanks for this very informative video
Be careful, not only is Brown Bear behaviour different from Black Bear behavior - a distinction this video totally fails to make, but Brown Bears in the Yukon may behave significantly differently from Brown Bears in more densely populated areas, and most of the advice you will find is optimized for Grizzlies in areas like Jasper, Banff, and Yellowstone, where the bears get used to occasionally seeing people, consequently being less likely to act in surprised and nervous ways during an encounter. Since surprise and stress are the main factors that tend to make an encounter with a Grizzly dangerous, in a remote area like Yukon, it is even more important to diligently take all the usual precautions, doing all you can to avoid surprises, and staying as far away from Grizzlies as possible in case you see any.
Please dont learn about it, just stay away.
@@DeeShee-eo1up trek is done. I survived.
@@TheCanadian888 Glad to hear that, hiking in the Yukon must be an awesome experience. On the other hand, i guess nobody is surprised that you survived. There isn't anything wrong with hiking in grizzly territory, in particular when you do your homework in advance to educate yourself and behave properly. The advice of "just stay away" feels more geared towards polar bears than towards grizzlies.
Gee, let's see ... no one could get me in bear country.
"If you do see a bear, you have to ask yourself 2 questions."
1. What have I done to my live-in mother-in-law to deserve this?
2. Did I put down the toilet seat before I left the house?
LOL!
Thank you so much for the tips. A friend of mine whose husband is a hunter told me to carry a whistle because bears hate the sound and to also spray strong perfume because they dislike the smell. I think the problem with perfume is that it may attract bugs. What do you think?
Forget perfume. Carry bear spray
Perfume actually smells like sugar to wildlife so it attracts everything. Best to go Au Naturel in nature.
Thank you for the advice and video. Blessings to you.
“If it’s black fight back, if it’s brown lay down, if it’s white goodnight “
I think this only applies for bear attacks, not encounters, the difference could mean life or death. You certainly don’t want to go charging into battle if you see a black bear and it’s not attacking yet.
This didn’t work well. I still got shot.
Hugh Glass was lying down and he was filleted like a fish.
@@neinsager3236and he miraculously survived 🤕
It's it black you're on crack. If its brown flush it down. If its white its right. If its yellow let it mellow. If it blue screw you. If its red you're dead. Etc...
Thanks for the tips. Very useful! Going to Jasper to camp this month. So here’s my question, what to do if there’s a bear outside of your tent?
The likelihood is low but...don't keep any food in your tent. There are bear proof lockers at every campsite. And there will be bear warnings if bears have been sight2d near the campground
@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada Thank you! Good to know the likelihood is low lol.
Great PResentation! Thank you!
Why thank you! I hope it was helpful and informative.
A fabulous video. Thanks for the tips!!! 🙏
What are your thoughts on bear spray if a grizzly charges you? Would it be a good idea to stand your ground and use the bear spray and horn if the bears charges/gets too close?
I'm not a bear spray advocate, but it's not say it doesn't work. But it's fact that many grizzly bears have only gotten more pissed off after being sprayed. Look at all of the people who get pepper sprayed in riots etc...many of them fall to their knees, but many of them also get even more enraged. My personal view is, that if a black bear attacks, I stand my ground and fight like hell. If a grizzly attacks I play dead. There's a whole other conversation to be had there. Perhaps it's time for another video!
Great tips on bear safety. It’s important to always be aware while out on the trail.
Absolutely!
I wouldn't put myself in bear country at all!
I can watch videos of other idiots wandering in bear country. I want to live!
How come there is no mention of carrying bear spray in bear country? It's not infallible but been studied enough that it is a deterrent. I have a wilderness cabin and I carry one on ea hip. Never had to use it...yet.
My experience is this. Avoid a bear, and no need for bear spray. Which by the way is no guarantee of anything.
thank you for your sharing
My pleasure
if you play dead, why would he leave you instead of just having a free meal?
when the bear charges you, what has caused you to keep walking back instead of making noise/charging him? you cant know if he is all out or bluffing
God bless this family.
What a great job explaining this. 😊
Glad you think so!
I had a Sitka bear rush me while field dressing an elk (wasn’t a bluff). I’ll let you guess where I was.
I didn’t think a bear would start a full-on rush from over 100 meters away. This one did.
So, I had about 5 seconds until impact. Would you recommend waiting for it to get closer and deploy bear spray? Start shooting immediately?
I made the decision to deploy my first can of bear spray, in a huge wall in front of me, while moving backwards quickly. By the time it was empty, my super redhawk was out and I shot the bear. The spray dissipated too much and it was still moving forward. I had to empty the entire cylinder. I had zero chance to reload. It stopped about 15 feet away after the sixth round, then lunged forward two more steps and dropped.
The game warden didn’t have much to say. Never got feedback. I don’t know if I made the correct call, but that’s the call I made and I own it.
Oh, I always carry a bear tag with me now. I didn’t have one then. I had to decapitate the bear and pack the head and part of the cervical spine out. Not cool.
The elk didn’t make it, to say the least.
Well, hunting and having an easy meal in front of an opportunist bear is a totally different story. But this is a Canadian National Park, and a) We aren't allowed to hunt anything (so a dressed and bloody deer won't be an attractant) and b) We aren't allowed to have firearms which is the basis of my advice in this video. But for a fact, I'm glad you walked away and hopefully got to put that deer in your freezer. :)
Can I ask why you didn’t get loud and aggressive in your explanation of your interaction? You kept calm each time he charged you. So I’m confused why the original advice was not followed. Thankyou for your response! And the video. I want to go hiking with my 7 year old son. And I’m very scared for us to have this encounter.
Please let me clarify. When trying to calmly walk away, you remain calm. You speak calm and you slowly retreat while making NO eye contact. You only get loud and aggressive if you are being attacked. Otherwise you only provoke an attack which you don't want to do.
Oh my. If you are hiking alone, do you think music through just a phone or a small travel speaker would help?
Hey Kelly. I'd say any noise can't hurt. But you want to enjoy the natural sounds. I'd just make noise. Whatever works for you, and makes the bears aware of your presence. Then you should be good. And travel in groups of 3 or more if you can.
very nice and useful video, thank you.
is there any guideline as to which foods to bring on your hike? Is there any sort of food or snack that would not be recommended to carry?
Thank you. Hmm. Sounds like another video! I would bring trail mix (nuts and raisins), granola bars, beef jerky on occasion. Make sure you have lots of water and don't eat snacks that are too salty or full of sugar like chips or candy. Dates and almonds are a wicked couple of snacks to have and good energy with nutritional value for sure. (Don't bring fish snacks like sardines) That being said, when mountain biking for distance, I'd bring a pop tart with me (I know, no nutritional value LOL) for some quick and slow release energy in case I felt myself losing steam. i.e. Rundle loop from Banff to Canmore, up to Spray Lakes, and then back to Banff, all in a wonderful loop around Mount Rundle. I'd always have my camel back for that because it was a lot of easy to access water in a small backpack. Make sure your foods are all in resealable bags so you aren't creating too much food odor or making your pack smell like a buffet hee hee.
Your question sounds as if you wonder whether you can select your food such that it is less attractive to bears. No, that is not going to work. Whatever food you bring must always be stored safely overnight - either in bearproof containers provided by the campside or by hanging if from a bearpole or, failing all that, by *properly* hanging it from tree(s).
Bears may eat anything from tree bark, some kinds of leaves, roots, tubers, flowers, berries and fruits, nuts, grubs, fish, small mammals, carrion (no matter whether it's fresh or seriously rotten and full of maggots) and they rarely get sick from whatever they eat, even when it's badly rotten. A bear will like almost anything that a human might consider acceptable, and much more besides.
That talk about avoiding bear attractants applies to what you plant in your garden, not to which food to take on a hike. In a nutshell, if you live in Canmore, do not plant an apple tree in your backward (because that would attract bears into town for the harvest) - but taking an apple along for your hike? Sure, no problem with that, just store it properly.
@@IngoSchwarze thank both of you for your answers.
I was not clear, we’d only be doing day hikes, so no camping or cooking, then no need for bearproof containers.
I just wanted to see if there would be any food that should be avoided to take, but I understand that bears would gladly eat anything we eat.
Really rare for bear encounter , well , not for me , three -four time a year from where i live . North of Canada .
Thank you! Really well explained.
I am preparing myself for a solo trekking in yukon. Question: shouldn't one carry firecrackers or those horn in a can ? I mean, to scary them away ?
I'm surprised you didn't mention bear spray. Is it not worth anything?
Good question and a common one. I never carried bear spray. I feel like if you take the right precautions you'll never need it. But that being said, I plan to do a video on bear spray.
Should you hang something on your back pack that makes noise like pots and pans banging together as your are walking?
could not hurt.
the only time I was close to a black bear was one sniffing around my back door at 7 am in October 2015. It was also the only time ever I was carrying two pails of honey to deliver to a friend. How lucky.
Anyway my wife and I watched it from our verandah as it stood up to check out the bird feeders. I said “hi, bear” and it turned and loped away. A positive encounter I’d say.
If you have to stand your ground against a bear that is aggressively approaching you, would it be advisable to start making very intense eye contact? I bet most bears would be very scared and confused if you started doing the "Haka".
The desert sounds better and better. Any advice on rattlesnake avoidance?
And you forgot to ask about spiders and scorpions. I have zero experience with Scorpions thankfully.
Thanks for the informative video. You didn't talk about bear spray.
Thanks Les for good tips, what about the Bear spray, does it work? I have watched so many videos and they recommend to carry bear spray just in case. 🙃
Hey Nadeem, bear spray is something I'll talk about in another video. I don't think you'll ever need bear spray if you follow these tips. 22 Years in the Rockies and I never carried bear spray. There are many opinions as to whether it works or not.
I aint taking no chances going into bear country. What's the point?
yes yes, of course ANTI-BEAST SPRAY...
.... when you are in a situation where you already need to somehow PROTECT yourself FROM AN ANIMAL - SAVING A LIFE - then the SPRAY helps 100%, but only AFTER THE BEAR BREAKS YOUR NECK...
@@susiearviso3032 The point is that bear country also happens to be some of the most incredibly beautiful country you'll ever experience in your life. Your chances of getting killed in a car crash on the way to bear country FAR, FAR exceed your chances of being killed by a bear once you get there.
Would you recommend cowbells or such for solo hiker. Especially if hiking early in the morning
I'd say it can't hurt but these bells aren't as good as a good "Whoop whoop!" But if it makes you feel comfortable, and you can handle the constant jingle go for it. I never used them personally. However, it does let other hikers know you are coming around the corner!
@@janice8925 Rocks that have been freshly turned over are another sign of bears. They look for worms, grubs, insects, and the like.
What about loud continuous whooshing noises, like twirling a long nylon sock with a weight in the end over your head like a helo rotor? I heard that years ago. Maybe it’s for wolves.
PS you didn’t mention bear or pepper spray : is that ineffective?
Bear spray isn't always effective.
how can you lay down if you have a dog with you?
When I was 14, I was fishing in a California Sierra stream when I heard something nearby. It sounded like a goat, so I approached the brush to take a look. Then suddenly the bushes erupted and a horrible roar occurred. I was being rushed by a very angry bear. For a bare second I saw the bushes bouncing toward me. There was no conscientiousness or decision making in the moment. I ran.. the sounds behind me were horrible. It's like a dream because I just remember flying over a log as if I was picked up by angels. I could hear the horrible sounds behind me. I never looked back and ran out of the area. My mind recorded the minimum in the moment and I don't know how I got so much speed over the river rocks. Instinct prevailed!
wow! That's an amazing story. Glad it worked out the way it did.
I have to ask, does singing help at all??
As a matter of fact it does! The louder the better.
Can you do a video about cougars. I live in Cochrane and heard one about 200 meters away from me and I was also in a ring of animals being chased by one (it could of also been a black bear) but since that they’ve been my worse fear along with other large predators
If you're in a bar or bowling alley, for example, and cougars start bothering you, just say no and that you're happily married. She'll wander off and bother someone else.
Alain, that is a great idea. This is a completely understandable fear, and worthy of a video to help with those fears.
@@321southtube 😂Like it, hilarious. Thank you. You made my day
I wouldn't put myself in bear country at all!
I can watch videos of other idiots wandering in bear country. I want to live!
Do you not carry bear spray?
Nope. But there's no harm to it. But in my opinion, it's a false sense of security that actually makes you more paranoid. I'd spend that $$ on some good locally made craft beer in Banff or Jasper.
How did you feel with your first encounter? I am terrified to go in the woods these days
I wouldn't put myself in bear country at all!
I can watch videos of other idiots wandering in bear country. I want to live!
What about commercial campgrounds like KOA in the States? I mean, there are over 50 pitches and everyone is cooking over an open fire. That must attract every bear in the area
You have to differentiate between black and brown bears. The human reactions to each bear are different.
Don't punch a brown bear. Don't fight for your life. Play dead.
I used to think exactly the same thing but Parks Canada, and the advice has evolved. The most important thing to do is read the situation. I agree that there is a big difference between how Grizzly bears and black bears behave but I'm inclined to agree with how Parks Canada has decided to educate on this. This is especially important to keep simple for new visitors so that they don't get themselves confused. Thank you for sharing your wisdom though I agree. But at the end of the day, black or brown, if you play dead and the attack becomes predatory, the only thing you have left to do is fight for your life rather than just give it up. At least that's my feeling.
What about bear spray? I always carry it.
I've never used it, or needed it. But if it makes you feel more comfortable, what's the harm?
Did I miss something? I heard nothing about bear spray or carrying a large caliber revolver. I never hike in bear country without them.
No use of bear spray?
Can we blow whistle as we walk along signs bear path. Thanks
Yes you can!
Does this apply to Black and Grizzly ?
Well, it applies to both yes. But as the old saying goes, "Black fight back, Brown lay down."
Hi there. Very clear video. Thanks. I like the whistle idea. You didn't mention bear spray, lots of guides say to have it, is it really necessary?
Hey thanks so much. I'm glad the video was clear. I may do a video specifically on Bear Spray. The jury is out on how effective this is and if you even need it. After 22 years in the back country I can tell you that I never used it and I'm still here. I'd say if you really want to spend the money on it, that I'd only take it into the real backcountry where you are further away from other humans. On most marked trails there's no point as there are enough humans to keep bears away. But personally, I think it doesn't matter either way. If it makes you feel better by all means carry it. Just make sure you are really clear on how to use it and understand how dangerous it can be if you don't.
I know of at least one bear attack (hunter) where spray was discharged on a charging Griz at about 10 feet, the hunter got hit and mauled, but within the first couple of seconds the effects kicked in and grizzly got mad and disappeared - the guy survived. Have also see it work in multiple videos on curious bears. Won't stop every bear in every circumstance and isn't needed in most encounters (if you have the confidence to put on a show of strength), but when a bear is in locked onto you in predator mode (admittedly very rare), nothing short of spray or lead has a chance of stopping it@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada
That was “the king of grizzlies” at 2:13 I think. King Brutus.
Great advice!
For your bear encounter story; did you have bear spray with you?
No. I never carry bear spray.
Glad to hear fighting back is an option. Might not prevail, but that bear is getting 10 years of martial arts experience on his nose.
Well as a martial artist it's true with people, and animals its best to avoid physical confrontation at all costs. But if you can't avoid it, fight like you are gonna win it.
what about bear spray? I have heard conflicting information on this
bear spray is a non-lethal bear deterrent to be used before threat escalation comparable to CS gas usage, if you becomes its prey and you want to survive, you better have a plan B ready to execute
ruclips.net/video/TZ5HJHZ8Mfw/видео.html
and if you are not certain, just stay away from potential area
yes yes, of course ANTI-BEAST SPRAY...
.... when you are in a situation where you already need to somehow PROTECT yourself FROM AN ANIMAL - SAVING A LIFE - then the SPRAY helps 100%, but only AFTER THE BEAR BREAKS YOUR NECK...
Surving a mauling is still a horrendous experience. One I don't want my loved ones or I to go through. I will always have bear spray and a firearm in bear country (wear firearms are legal to carry).
This is great tips indeed though I read many incidents that hikers, campers, even hunters got eaten by either black and grizzly bears due to their predatory behavior. Very scary
Oh that's just terrible that you have been mislead by these completely invalid representations about bear behavior. They are omnivors, with the majority of thier diet being vegetarian. Can you site these articles so we can look into who wrote these stories? It's terrible to see these magnificent, peaceful and wild creatures being painted in the wrong light. They deserve so much more respect, as do you. These sorts of stories absolutely insult your intelligence.
@@InsidersTravelGuideCanadaAlthough bear attacks are rare, there have certainly been maulings and fatalities - many of them unprovoked. I realize you spend a lot of time in the back country, but I find your advice to be over simplified. Perhaps you are catering to city people. Two friends of my husband’s were killed by a grizzly while field dressing an elk they had shot. We just spent 2 weeks in Banff and Jasper, and the park information advises hikers to carry bear spray and know how to use it. If you are in bear country, you should carry bear spray at the very least as well as a knife, as it is always best to be prepared. There were two bad maulings where each man survived because he had a knife - both grizzlies - one near Bella Coola, and one in the Alberta foothills. My husband has hunted and fished in the back country his whole life and never had a problem with a bear, but he takes it very seriously and is always prepared.
Read the night of the grizzly these animals are real life monsters and are to be feared they kill people every year @@InsidersTravelGuideCanada
Is there any issue using bear spray?
I hear they like their human flesh spicy so - no.
I’m Australian. I live in the country and spend a tonne of time outdoors doing photography and hiking. I’m coming to the Rockies. I’m terrified of bears, cougars, wolves, coyotes, etc, etc, etc. I’m in my 50s. I’ve only ever seen a shark at the beach once, but it was way out and the lifeguards evacuated the water. I’ve never seen a deadly snake in the wild, or a deadly spider. And, if I did, there’s no need to whip out a spray or consider if it’s going to attack. Snakes and spiders here don’t chase you. There’s no need to stand your ground or anything like that. If you do see a snake, you just walk away, give it space and all is good. There’s nothing like your big deadly animals here. Snakes don’t somedays decide they’re going to attack you instead. You have to really interfere with or deliberately attack the snake yourself before it will lunge at you. We can camp without worry. Hike without worry. Enjoy the outdoors and fishing and photography without worry. As I said, no need for any sprays or all that. I don’t get why people from Canada and USA focus on Australia when the animals they have are way more frightening in the wild and way more likely to engage in a threatening encounter with humans.
You forgot Saltwater Crocodiles or maybe a big pack of starving dingoes!!!
@@jamespmullin21753 only dingo I ever saw outside a zoo was domesticated as a pet. Never seen one in the wild. Fraser Island apparently has a few but they are more likely to attack humans that are careless. They’re not huge though. Maybe like a coyote. Estuarine crocodiles (that’s the correct name rather than salt water as they can be in either fresh or salt water in the coastal rivers) don’t really bother you unless you’re doing something foolish. We lived ten years in the far north of Australia (that’s the only area where they are and we don’t see them in the wild below the Tropic of Capricorn) and only ever saw them when we went on viewing tours. You just know that there are places to avoid at certain times of the year, and things you just don’t do or places you don’t swim. Dingos and crocodiles hardly compare to the range of bears, wolves, cougars/mountain lions/panthers /cougars and charging bison in the USA, especially because dingos and crocodiles are in specific areas of Australia. A pack of starving dingos… never seen such a thing in my life. Dingos are actually very shy animals. Like all animals, don’t be stupid around them and they will leave you alone. I still argue though that we have nothing as dangerous as America and Canada when it comes to huge animals that can chase you down without warning.
Don't have to worry about wolves, coyotes or cougars. They will avoid you. Bears on the other hand will eat you alive. They don't kill before starting to eat. Make noise, store food properly and away from you, and if you have bear spray, don't spray it around your camp site. It will just attract them. Happy camping.
I didn’t know that, thanks.
I’ve been afraid of bears since I watched at age 13 the movie “Grizzly” in ‘76 but it never stopped me from hiking in a national park, at least in and east of Eastern Ontario. I make sure to have a jingle bell on my wrist, whistle a tune etc. and hope the bear isn’t deaf.
Stay away from bear country, idiots.
Thanks for"validating" my habbit of always assuming there is a bear in those bushes and talking to that (imaginary) bear.
Only met one black bear who seemed in a hurry to cross the trail right in front of me. He was not heading for me, just running towards the lake to check a group of geese (it seems). Beautifull bear. I always carry grizzly grade 40 feet bear spray and an air horn (130 db). I hike alone all spring + summer. Never used those in last 4 years.
NEVER SURPRISE A BEAR.... or me!😂
Well that is a wonderful insight into the reality of being in bear country. Thank you for sharing.
Can bears smell food in canned goods that aren't opened yet? (Like canned tuna fish)?
I don t think so
Not in the can, but if the can has been in contact with other foods they may be able to smell the other foods.
Bear spray is an essential tool in bear country.
Not as much as common sense LOL
Does anyone actually know someone who has successfully used the play dead option with a grizzly?
Do you fight if a Grizzly keeps attacking?
No never, say time out.
Probably yes. Last choice. Preferably you have a knife. Go for the eyes. There's a true story of a mauled hiker who stabbed a grizzly many times & got badly hurt, but he got both eyes. The grizzly bled to death & was located ~1km from the attack as it staggered around blind. The hiker survived & was interviewed on the CBC; he was lucky to survive.
Thanks for the video. However, it is very important to highlight how to act according to the bear's species (e.g. you do not want to play dead with a black bear).
MaVerick, you make a good point and there's a very good reason I have not included that distinction in this video. After 22 years in the Rockies I always used the analogy, Brown lie down, black fight back. However, Parks Canada has officially changed direction on this advice and I'm inclined to agree with their messaging. For new visitors especially, it's much more important to understand Bear Behavior than get mixed up about what to do with what color of bear. Most people hear this poem and can't remember if it's lie down for the brown, or the black, or whatever. It's a lot easier to remember and react to behavior and circumstances than anything.
@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada Besides, distinguishing the two species is much harder than many people think. Yes, sometimes one single property, e.g. the shoulder hump or the long claws, can be clearly seen, and that single property alone may then allow a positive identification, but often enough, it's not that obvious on first sight and you need to look for the face profile (which can be hard to judge from the front), the length and shape of the ears (which can be misleading when the fur is wet), or colour contrasts between the fur just above the paws and near the shoulders (if the lower part of the leg is significantly darker than the shoulders, that hints at a Brown Bear). In such cases, it is sometimes necessary to combine multiple properties for the identification, and even then, in some cases, especially with young bears, your experience may simply not be sufficient for a correct identification. Consequently, i will only follow advice for black bears when i'm absolutely sure it definitely is a black bear, and default to advice for brown bears in case of doubt. Misidentifying a brown bear as black is significantly more dangerous than the other way round. The only situation where misidentifying a black blear as brown might be dangerous is when it keeps actively stalking you - and not only is that exceedingly rare, but you are also very likely to sooner or later realize your mistake simply because a brown bear won't show that kind of behaviour in the first place.
All that said, i still think that in those cases where i am very sure regarding the species, slightly adapting my response reduces risk. For example, when it's very clearly a black bear but doesn't react to my initial retreat by also turning away, i'll change tack relatively early to behave assertively like waving my arms and yelling at it, hence not encouraging it to approach any closer when defusing the situation by retreating doesn't work right away.
On the other hand, when i'm sure it's a brown bear, i'll skip the part about waving arms and yelling (which can go badly wrong with a Grizzly if it is in a bad mood) and go straight from retreating and talking in a calm, soothing voice to using my bear spray at the optimal distance, if it keeps approaching.
Either way, these are details, and learning the basics about bear behaviour that apply to both species must come first, no doubt about that.
Thank you.
NEXT CHATTER: ...give a lecture to the bear And after listening to it, he will turn around and go “home” to work on his homework....
This is great except it does not mention bear spray and also I've always been told never to play dead with a black bear. The year I lived in Jasper the only animal that ever charged me was a wapiti. My boyfriend had antagonised during rutting season then took and left me to face incoming antlers. I applied bear safety because no one had taught me any elk safety beyond don't antagonize them during rutting season. But talking calmly and standing my ground worked well. It stopped just short of impaling me then wandered off. Afterward my boyfriend told me I was crazy for standing up to a charging elk. But I had no choice, my fleeing boyfriend had backed me up into a fence.
You are right about the black bear advice. I'm making this more behavior oriented so people don't get mixed up but our "Locals Mantra" is Brown lay down and Black fight back.
Thanks!!!
You are more than welcome. I hope it was helpful.
Nice video 👍 les
You failed to mention "Carry Bear Spray with you" and know how to use it. Bear spray is your best defence if a bear continues to approach after you have tried talking it down. Much better than playing dead.
Bear spray is not your best defense period! A 12 gauge with slugs is your best defense. But of course guns are very bad.
@@matthewcauthorn9731 Firearms and hunting are not permitted in national parks. Even bear bangers are restricted in Banff National Park.
2:18 The "no eye contact" has been refuted by Dr. Tom Smith, wildlife biologist. ruclips.net/video/1KWSJ3piSfM/видео.html (starts at 26:05)
Well how many times has he been face to face with a real bear? Me? About 30 times. I'll go with my experience LOL
My dad always told my brother and I to wear saggy jeans tied up below our butts and to never tie our shoes in bear country but now I'm questioning the reasoning behind that advice
LOL. The general rule is just be faster than the person behind you! But I jest. Follow my advice in the video, and follow your instincts. Trust them.
Step one, unholster bear mace.
Step two, remove safety tab.
Step three, repeat with second bear mace.
Step four, "BAD BEAR!" and spray
Ya bad bear always works,also your not getting your cookies tonight works as well.
great video!
Don't disagree with anything you say . . . . . . . but I doubt I could stay calm in the case of encountering an aggressive bear.
Nicholas you would be surprised but when you are in the situation your better instincts take over. As long as you know what to do. I was amazed at how I was able to remain calm. (But I was terrified!)
good job
NEVER play dead with a black bear! If you play dead with a black bear you soon won’t be playing anymore. Playing dead works with a startled or threatened brown (Grizzly) bear, once they feel that the threat has been neutralized, they will likely leave. Of course, if they see you as a food source, you’re pretty much toast….but fight anyway because you just might be the exception!!
Bear spray?
Good stuff!
I’m more wary of mountain lions than a bear. At least bears don’t stalk u silently 😂. I often backpack alone in black bear / cougar country - I carry a spray but thankfully haven’t had to use it yet.
Me too. Problem is you never see the mountain lion until it's too late. But very, very seldom in Banff or Jasper at least. But keep your ears and eyes open.
I dont get it, so first you try to be look as big and loud as you can, and if it doesent work , than you pretend to be dead?😅
That's not what I said. Watch again and let me know if you see it differently. Otherwise I will try to put some perspective in to it for you. And your response is valid.
The Revenant recount:
- DiCaprio: "So, I was hunting and suddenly I see cubs. I turn around and there she is, charging at m..
- Them: "Hey Leo, remember what we aggreed on alright?"
- DiCaprio: "...yeah so, as I was saying, I turn around and she's already charging at me. Didn't even manage a shot. She does a very negative experience on me. I scream, cause it's pretty negative. I turn around to improve the experience, which I didn't really enjoy, and she very negatively-experiences my back. That continued for some time, till my back was just one big negative experience. I gotta tell you, it really was all quite negative. Wouldn't rate that very highly at all. 0 out of 10 stars, never gonna try that again.
Just carry bear spray.
Can’t believe he didn’t mentioned that.
Lay down...slather some mayo on yourself and place a heaping serving of potato salad next to you. If he starts eating you... don't scream as this makes for a bad dining experience for the bear. Good advice...
😅😅😅
Bear attacks are sooo rare," yet he tells the story of a bear charging at him three times in one event. Honestly, I think I’d just crap my pants and then die of a heart attack!
But remember, I was in the backcountry for at least 10 years before this happened. I spent more time in the wilderness, trying to encounters bears than most people could ever imagine. So, in the defense of the bears, it's quite rare indeed that you could have a negative encounter.
Not a word about bear spray?
Nope.
Thanks for the Tip.
But next time I am goig to bring with me Spray & a Loud Hornet.
I think that's terrible advice. Bear spay....flash bangers???
If the attacks are so rare, why do we see attacks all the time
We don't see attacks all of the time. We just don't. Heck, 22 years in the Rockies, actually in the backcountry, I would know. Don't let rumors ruin the reality. :)
If car accidents are rare, why are there so many videos of them? Well duh, videos of people driving safely are kind of boring. In the same way the news media doesn't feature stories about people who didn't see a bear. It's called selection bias.
The best way I’ve found about how to avoid a bear attack is not to go where there are bears, simple! 😱👋🏻🇬🇧
For sure! LOL. But the sights you'll miss out on!!