Living with Wildlife in Manitoba

Encountering a Black Bear

Each encounter is unique.  There is no guarantee what works in one instance will work in another.  Here is what experts recommend you do:

• Stop, remain calm and assess the situation to try and understand what message the bear is conveying before you act.
• Never approach or crowd a bear, even if it does not seem agitated. If you choose to do so, you should be prepared to defend yourself.
• Never, never feed it!
• Never run unless reaching safety is a guarantee! Fleeing may trigger a chase response. Bears can reach bursts of speed of 50 km/hr (30 m/hr) and can outrun a person going up or downhill.
• Climbing a tree or entering water is no guarantee of safety since black bears are superior climbers and stronger swimmers.
• Standing on its hind legs is seldom a precursor to an attack. The bear is trying to get a better look or smell at something it's uncertain of.
• Consider taking a walking stick and carrying pepper spray attached to your belt.
• If you are near a building or car, get inside.
• If a bear is in a tree – leave it alone by vacating the area. When it feels safe, it will climb down and leave.

If a bear is unaware of you:

• Move away quietly when the bear is not looking toward you. Keep your eye on the bear, but do not make direct eye contact because the gaze may be interpreted as a challenge.

If a bear is aware of you:

• Let it know you are human. Talk to the bear in a low tone of voice and wave your arms slowly while moving away upwind, if practical, to give the bear your scent.

A Defensive Reaction by a Bear

The bear perceives you to be a threat - to it, its cubs, or it may be defending its food. These bears usually become stressed often giving visual and vocal cues like swatting or slamming its paw against the ground and blowing explosively through its nostrils. Other vocalizations may include: exhaling loudly, huffing, moaning or jaw-popping (snapping the teeth), or lowering the head with ears drawn back while facing you are all displays of aggression and are a bear's way of issuing a warning. Excessive salivation is a universal sign of nervousness. The response may escalate to an actual charge, usually a bluff where the bear stops and veers away before making contact.

Reacting to a defensive approach or charge:

• Stand your ground.
• When the bear has stopped its advance, slowly back away, watching the bear through the corner of your eye and talking to it in a calm low-toned voice.
• Prepare your deterrent, such as bear spray, if you have any.

Reacting to a defensive attack:

• Fall to the ground immediately upon contact. Lay on your stomach with your legs spread slightly apart, locking your fingers behind your head. If the bear flips you over, roll back on your stomach to protect your vital organs and face.
• Do not struggle or cry out.
• When the attack is broken off, do not move or make a sound until you are sure the bear has left – if you do, the bear may resume the attack because it still feels threatened.

Offensive Situations

If you encounter a bear that advances without acting or appearing stressed, the advance may be offensive.  The bear either wants right of way, wants to assert dominance or, although it is unlikely, may be stalking you as possible prey. If this is the case, the bear’s head will be up and ears erect.

• As a first response, give the bear right of way by moving aside and watching the bear.
• If it continues to follow you, try dropping your pack and food stuff, then slowly back away in a lateral direction keeping an eye on the bear.
• If the bear ignores your pack and continues to follow with its attention focused on you, stop - stand your ground. If you are with others, stay together and act as a group. Make sure the bear has a clear escape route. Act aggressively to persuade the bear you are not easy prey. Stare it in the eye. Raise your jacket to look bigger. Shout. Wave your arms. Stomp your feet. Slowly move uphill of it. Stand on a log or rock. Use an air-horn if available. Use your bear spray if within range.

Reacting to a predatory attack:

• If the bear attacks silently without having displayed stress behaviour – fight back with anything at hand. Grab a rock, a stout piece of wood, a knife. Strike for the nose or eyes. Kick, yell, be ruthless – you are fighting for your life!

Attacks by black bears are extremely rare, and defensive attacks are less frequent than offensive attacks.