If you plan on hiking or camping in a national forest or wilderness area it is a smart idea to become familiar with the local bear population, and this goes doubly if you have children accompanying you. Understanding bears and their habits decrease the chances of a possible attack. If there is an attack, however, it is imperative that you are armed with the best information to fend the animal off. Read on to learn more about how to fend off a bear attack.

• Do you love going on outdoor adventures? Do you thrive on exploring national parks and forests, pitching a tent and living off the land for a few days? Maybe you are the type of person that just enjoys a few hours alone in the great wide open; a chance to meditate and regroup after a long week spent working indoors. If so, then chances are you will benefit from this guide on how-to fend off a bear attack.

• The best way to understand how to protect yourself during a bear attack is to learn as much as you can about the animal. Understanding a bear's behavior is key to making better decisions if you are attacked. It is also a good idea to talk to locals, park or forest rangers and other campers and hikers to determine the recent behaviors of the bears in the area you are visiting. Here are some tips for preventing an attack:

• 1. If possible, always store your food in bear boxes. Most campsites have them. If there is not a bear box, then make sure to hang food in trees, careful not to leave anything on the ground or in your tent. Another tip is to avoid cooking near the area you plan to sleep.
  2. Never approach a bear that is with its cubs
  3. When hiking, make plenty of noise
  4. Avoid bears when they are eating

Keep your distance (Creative Commons photo by spisharam)

• Remember that knowledge is power, and this especially applies to your behavior if you are confronted by a bear. Here are a few essential tips that apply to all bears, regardless of what type:

• 1. Don't run. Bears can run up to 30 miles per hour.
  2. Use bear or pepper spray. This can be a very effective way to momentarily stop a bear, but aim carefully at his eyes or it will only make the animal more angry.
  3. If a bear is charging and you are in possession of a firearm you might consider using it. Again, accuracy is key, otherwise you will only upset the bear.

• It is imperative that you determine what type of bear you are going up against, as you will approach the respective bears differently. Here are the two main bears you will be dealing with:

• Brown bears include the subspecies Grizzly bear and are:

• 1. Color: dark or medium brown
  2. Average 6.5 feet tall
  3. Claws are long and can often be spotted at a distance
  4. Are mostly found in Canada or states such as Idaho, Washington, Montana, North and South Dakota and Alaska

• The best way to deal with a brown bear is to:

• 1. Play dead - this is your best defense. Brown bears will quit attacking if they think you are no longer a threat. Once the bear leaves, however, continue playing dead. They like to linger, waiting to see if you will get back up.
  2. Get on the ground and curl into a fetal position
  3. As a last resort you can climb a tree. Brown bears are not able to climb.

Already climbing (Creative Commons photo by Just Being Myself)

• Black bears are the most common in North America and can be found in all 50 states. They are:

• 1. Color: Variety, from black to light blond
  2. Short claws
  3. Do not have a hump like brown bears

• The best way to handle an attack by a black bear is to:

• 1. Fight back - These bears will usually lose interest if they think you will fight them until the death.
  2. Make a lot of noise - again, black bears will often back off if you show them you are serious about fighting back and surviving
  3. Don't climb a tree - these bears are great climbers

• While bear attacks are not very common, the truth is that they always have the capacity to turn deadly. The more you know, the better chance you will have at surviving if you are attacked.

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