Bear Safety in Alaska National Parklands(pdf format, 1.9 MB, unigrid style brochure)
Scroll down further to read the brochure or download a copy and learn how to be "Bear Aware".
Bears and campers often frequent the same areas in Alaska’s national parks. In coastal parks, both tend to spend time on the beach, the narrow band of land found between the sea and the brush, forest, or steep cliffs. Bears prefer these areas because they often contain abundant vegetation for grazing and make travel easy, while campers prefer these areas for cooking and because they offer easy access to kayak travel. Inland parks are also home to bears and it is important that campers respect their space. It is likely that bears and campers will encounter one another, but by remaining calm and following the basic advice of experienced bear behaviorists, you increase the odds of a positive outcome for both you and the bear.
Bear Signs to Watch for and Areas to Avoid
It is important to be “bear aware” when camping and hiking in Alaska’s national parks and to avoid seasonal bear foraging areas (sedge meadows, berry patches, etc.). Bear signs are easy to find if you know what to look for. Select a campsite with the least amount of bear sign and away from seasonal bear foraging areas. Here are some signs to be on the lookout for:
Bear scat or tracks that seem very recent or are extremely abundant.
Narrow beaches with steep cliffs or dense brush which do not allow a bear to pass safely.
Trails are formed because of consistent use. Bears will often follow the path of least resistance, for example, lakeshores and ridgelines.
A tree or log that has bear hair or claw marks may indicate that it is a repeatedly used bear rub-tree.
Large dug up areas could be forage sites, day beds, or belly holes.
Avoid salmon streams! Bears like fish. And a noisy stream may lessen your ability to hear a bear or for a bear to hear you. Remember that at high tide a bear will not have as much room to pass between your camp and the high water line.
Neither you nor the bear want to be surprised by the other. Avoid areas with restricted visibility and make noise when exiting your tent.
Ask yourself: Can a bear walk by and pass my campsite and cooking area unhindered?
Cooking and Storing Food Bear Resistant Food Containers (BRFC) are required for all backcountry camping in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. Keep all food and cosmetics in the BRFC when not in use. Place any snacks, wrappers, lip balm, sunscreen, etc. that were used while kayaking or hiking into the BRFC before entering your tent. It is not a good idea to store food in tents or kayaks overnight. At night, store your BRFC and clean cooking gear off of main animal trails, (in coastal parks above high tide line) and at least 100 yards from your tent and hidden in thick brush or behind rocks.
Prepare and consume food at least 100 yards from your tent site and food storage area. Try to select cooking areas where you can see a comfortable distance to minimize the risk of a surprise encounter with a bear passing through the area.
If camping in a coastal park, prepare and eat all food in the intertidal zone, that area below the seaweed debris line and the waterline. Cook and eat as close to the water as possible so cooking smells and any food particles will then be washed away by the next tide.
Be prepared to quickly stow all food back into the BRFC if a bear should suddenly approach. Keep your gear together — minimize the amount of space that you occupy. Always ask yourself, “Is there room for a bear to get around us?” Or “Can I quickly get all this gear under my control?”
Minimize Bear Disturbance and Displacement
If you see a bear and it does not see you, back away out of sight and change your course. Move out of the area or quietly observe the bear at a safe distance without approaching or otherwise disturbing it. Disturbance is evident whenever a bear changes its behavior because of you. If it stops eating and looks up, sniffs the air with ears erect, trying to locate you, you are too close! Bears only have 6 - 8 months to acquire the calories and fat reserves needed for the entire year. Give them space!
While many bears seem to be tolerant of human presence at distances farther than 100 yards, each animal and situation is different. Pay attention to the bear’s behavior and respect its right to feed and travel undisturbed. Use telephoto lenses and binoculars. Allow bears to pass by your camp undisturbed. If you have made sure that the bear is aware of your presence so it is not surprised and have kept all your gear under your direct control, allow the bear to pass by unhindered. You may just be afforded the opportunity to safely observe this amazing creature in its natural environment. Do not pursue or harass bears for the sake of a close encounter or photograph, either on land or from your watercraft.
Minimize the Risk of Having Your Gear Destroyed
Do not leave gear unattended. This includes tents, clothes, pads, water bottles, etc. Consider using a portable electric fence to discourage bears from investigating your camp. Keep gear together and under your immediate control.
Keep gear together and under your immediate control. In coastal areas minimize the amount of space you take up on a beach. Again, ask: “Is there room for a bear to get around our camp?” A Tip: set up tents after eating dinner and take them down before breakfast in order to keep all gear with you while cooking.
Elevate your reaction if a bear elevates its inquisitiveness. If a bear approaches, make noise, wave your arms, etc. Stand your ground! Never surrender your gear to a bear! When choosing your tent site avoid areas frequented by bears, avoid camping in wildlife travel corridors (e.g., river banks and trails), and do not camp in the intertidal zone.
Bear Safety Tips
As the number of visitors to bear country in Alaska increases so does the number of human/bear encounters. The vast majority of these encounters do not result in human injury or fatality. However, a much larger proportion of these encounters do result in the bear’s death. You can help prevent injury to yourself, to others, and to the bear by taking a few basic precautions.
Stay Alert
Stay constantly alert in bear country. Use your ears, eyes, and even your nose to detect the presence of a bear. The sooner you are aware of the bear, the more time you and the bear will have to react appropriately.
Be Visible, Make Noise
A surprise encounter with a bear is dangerous and can be terrifying. However, you can reduce the potential for such encounters. Avoid surprises by traveling in open areas with good visibility. Make noise as you walk, particularly in thick brush, or when rounding a blind corner — talk, clap, and sing. Be extra alert in windy conditions or near noisy streams or beaches that may mask your sounds. When possible, travel with the wind at your back so your smell alerts a bear, to reduce surprise.
Safety in Numbers
The larger your group, the less risk of a bear attack. Stay together as a group, particularly if distance visibility is poor in thick brush.
Avoid Bears
If possible change your course to avoid the bear or move out of the area slowly. Never approach a bear, even from your boat or kayak. Approaching bears is dangerous and can cause undue stress and disturbance to the bear, increasing the risk of attack.
Store Food Properly
Keep all food and scented items under your immediate control at all times. While camping, keep a clean camp and store food appropriately in a BRFC, never in your tent, boat or kayak. Bear Resistant Food Containers (BRFC) are required for all backcountry camping in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve.
Report Bear Encounters
If you have an encounter, report it to a park ranger as soon as possible. This will alert others and enable park staff to respond appropriately to the situation if necessary.
What Should You Do if You Encounter a Bear?
First assess the situation. Does the bear see you? If the bear does not see you, simply move away from the bear and the encounter is over.
Non-defensive Bear Encounters
If the bear is aware of you and either looking or not looking at you, or moving steadily along a route, this can be considered non-defensive behavior.
What if you are hiking or kayaking and you encounter a non-defensive bear? Change your course to avoid the bear. Increase your distance from the bear and stay alert to the bear’s whereabouts.
What if you are camping, cooking, or eating and you encounter a non-defensive bear? Keep all of your gear under your direct control. Make sure the bear is aware of your presence. Talk calmly to the bear and stand your ground!
If you are in a group, stay together without blocking the bear’s route. If the bear is not focused on you, allow the bear to pass peacefully. If the bear approaches and is focused on you, stand together and elevate your defensive actions by shouting, yelling, and waving your arms. Do not retreat from the bear. You can also use noisemakers like air horns or bang pots and pans.
Defensive Bear Encounters
Defensive behaviors arise when bears are defending food or female bears are defending their offspring. Defensive encounters usually occur suddenly and at close distances. Defensive behavior may include snorting, huffing, jaw popping, and charging.
If you note any of these behaviors STOP AND STAND YOUR GROUND. Your safety lies in calming the bear. Talk calmly to the bear; move slowly away diagonally if the bear is stationary. Continue to monitor the bear as you move from the area. If the bear renews its advance stop and stand your ground again. Talk calmly to the bear. If the bear charges, remain non-threatening and stand your ground. Most charges do not end in contact. Now is the time to use bear pepper spray if you have it!
What if the bear makes contact during a defensive encounter?
IF IT IS A BROWN BEAR, PLAY DEAD:
Lie face down with your hands clasped behind your neck and legs spread apart so the bear can’t turn you over. Do not move until the bear leaves the area. If the attack is pro-longed and the brown bear begins to feed on you, fight back vigorously! The encounter has now likely changed from a defensive one to a predatory one. Do not retreat from the bear.
IF IT IS A BLACK BEAR, DO NOT PLAY DEAD: Fight back vigorously!
NEVER PLAY DEAD WITH A BLACK BEAR! Most black bear attacks are predatory.
FIGHT ANY BEAR THAT ATTEMPTS TO ENTER YOUR TENT!!
Do you know the difference between a Brown Bear (Grizzley is a sub-species) and a Black Bear?
When trying to identify a bear, do not rely on color and size alone, as they can be misleading. Fur color is not a distinguishing factor since both species of bear can be black, brown, blonde, gray or reddish in color! Instead, use tracks and the physical appearance of a bear to determine whether it is a Brown/Grizzly or American Black Bear. www.nps.gov/articles/bear-identification.htm
Side-By-Side Comparison of Black and Brown/Grizzly Bear Characteristics
Illustration courtesy of Yellowstone National Park
Hi there, my name's Stephens Harper. I'm a Ranger with the National Park Service in Alaska, at Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve. It's best known as a stunning landscape of vast mountains and huge glaciers, but it's also home to black and grizzly bears. More and more people are living, working, and recreating in Alaska than ever before. As a result, a steady rise in the number of bear encounters has occurred. This video will hopefully help teach you how to avoid encounters. It'll also help teach you how to properly react during an encounter based on the bear's behavior. We're going to be talking about bear safety today. That's really important if you're traveling through Wrangell's, because a lot of what you see behind me is bear country. We have black bears and we have grizzly bears. The difference between black bears and grizzlies are numerous factors. Color is not a good thing to try and determine whether or not you're looking at a grizzly versus a black bear. Black bears can come in multiple colors from brown, to almost blonde, to jet black. Grizzly bears can also come in a variety of color phases. Black bears are quite a bit smaller than grizzly bears. They, typically, have a more doglike face with a longer straighter snout and much larger ears, as opposed to a grizzly bear that has a much blockier, heavier head with, in proportion, much smaller ears. The other differences are that black bears have no prominent shoulder hump. When you're looking at the profile of a black bear, usually, what you see is the rump, of the rear end of the bear, sticks up higher than the shoulder. As opposed to a grizzly, who has massive shoulder muscles used for digging and has a much more prominent shoulder hump. Some of the other differences between black bears and grizzlies are that grizzlies have more of a dish-like face. When you look at their face and profile, it's more concave. Versus black bears are more convex or straight in profile. On the trail! Coming through. So to avoid surprising bears, when walking into an area that has decreased visibility, you want to make sure stay close together as a group and really pick up your volume before you enter thick brush or a forest. Whoa, guys a bear. Let's group up. Easy. Easy bear. Easy. Stay there. Get the pepper spray out. OK. Easy bear. Be cool, bear. Whoa bear. It's all right. Whoa bear. Stay there. It's all right. All right, looks like it's going away. Nice work guys. When you're walking out of the brush or wooded area into open country, if you have good visibility in all directions, you don't need to make nearly as much noise as you did back in the woods. But if you're looking out across the landscape and you see undulations in the territory, make sure to make noise when you come up to those gullies or draws. Because it could be hiding a bear. So if you're out in open country and you see a bear in the distance, the first thing you need to do is stop, stand your ground, let the bear know you're human, and gather your other hiking mates together, group up, make sure that you're in a nice tight group. If the bear approaches, curiously or in an aggressive manner, you need to make sure that you ready your deterrent, get your pepper spray out, and as the bear approaches closer, let it know that it's gotten as close as you want it to be. Ramp up the amount of noise you're making, yell at it. Step charge at it if you want to. And be prepared to deploy your pepper spray. It's coming a little closer. Let's ramp it up. Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! He's coming. On three let's stomp. One, two, three, Hey! Come on! Come on! Oh! So if you're stepping out of the woods and you encounter a bear, what's the first thing you do? You stop, you gathered together, and you let the bear know you're human. So, hey bear, ho bear, calmly speak to the bear. Hopefully, that's going to deter it right there. It'll probably turn around and run off. If it doesn't, if it comes closer to you, make sure that everybody is working in unison. OK, guys let's get our bear pepper spray out. We might have to pepper spray this bear. If that bear gets any closer, folks we're going to start making a lot more noise, all right. Hey bear, ho bear, get out of here bear. Just know that the effective range of bear pepper spray is out to 30 feet. So if you do need to deploy your pepper spray, make sure that that bear is within that effective range. So setting up a camp in bear country is a lot different than when you're not in bear country. It's really important to make sure that you separate where you're sleeping from where you're cooking and eating, and from where you're storing your food. Hey, guys. Where do you think we should cook our food tonight? We're supposed to go downwind. So, probably about 300 feet that way maybe. And then for food storage, we're supposed to go triangular 300 feet, maybe that way? Does that sound good? Yeah, that sounds good. All right. Typically, if the territory allows, you should set up a triangle where you have your sleep tent here, your cook tent here, or food area, preparation area, and your food stored in a separate location. You want to make sure that the wind is not blowing the scent of your cooking towards your sleeping area. So that if a bear does smell your food, it's not drawn to where you're sleeping at night. Critically important is proper food storage. Bear resistant food containers are readily available. The National Park Service lends them out for free of charge at Wrangell St. Elias. And there are no trees in most of the area to hang food and keep it high enough to where bears can't reach it. Proper food storage is really one of the more important things. Bears have an incredible sense of smell. And they will seek out anything in their environment that smells different than what they normally come across, including your lip balm, your hand lotion, and, of course, your food. Bear resistant food containers are available at all the National Park Service visitor centers at Wrangell St. Elias. And you should take advantage of that, because not only is it really smart, but it's also a regulation. Statistically, 90% of all black bear attacks were from black bears that had obtained food from humans in the past. This is called food conditioning. When a bear gets food from people, it associates all other people with the possibility of getting a free lunch. This is bear pepper spray in a side holster. It's really easy to get to. You just simply lift up on the strap, pull the pepper spray straight out. I want to show you something here on the side of the label. You can see the expiration date on this can, 2017. You want to check that before you go on the field. The expiration date really does matter of these. Right here on top is the safety clip, slide it back with your thumb and then you're ready to spray. Hey bear! Get back bear! If you're attacked by a bear that's acting defensively, such as during a surprise encounter or a bear that's protecting its cubs or food, you don't want to fight back. You want to go to the ground, protect yourself, protect your head, protect your neck, protect your belly, curl into a ball. If you have a pack, pull it up like this, so that it's protecting the back of your neck. And remember don't fight back. The thing is we want to make sure that bear understands that you're not a threat. If you're attacked by a bear that's acting, aggressively versus defensively, you want to fight back. If you're knocked to the ground, you want to use everything you have. If you can get your pepper spray, use it. But if not, punch, kick, grab sticks, grab rocks. Remember if the bear is acting defensively, you don't want to fight back. If the bear is acting aggressively, you want to fight back with everything you have. I hope this video has been helpful and educational and not freak you out too much, because honestly bear attacks are incredibly rare. You're much more likely to be attacked by a dog than you are bear. So don't become bear-noid, just remember what you've learned in this video. Go out and enjoy your National Park, and have a good time.
Descriptive Transcript
WRST Bear Safety
[00:00:00.00] A ranger in front of a mountain.
[00:00:21.30] A group of people look at a trail sign.
[00:00:39.51] Text, A Bear Safety & Information Film with Stephen Harper, Wrangell St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska, Directed by Carlisle Antonio
[00:02:40.47] Backpackers walk in a line in a forest.
[00:03:24.92] Hikers walk in an open space.
[00:03:57.88] Stomps.
[00:05:20.24] A camp site.
[00:05:41.41] Some campers head off in to different directions. One camper stays behind at the tents.
[00:07:19.03] Pepper spray on jacket.
[00:07:50.62] Holds hand up and sprays.
[00:09:05.45] Text, A Bear Safety & Information Film with Stephen Harper, Wrangell St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska, Directed by Carlisle Antonio. A Visitor Center sign with the National Park Service Logo.
[00:09:17.90] Text, Bear Safety & Information, Presented by Ranger Stephen Harper with Courtney Eberhardy, Elizabeth Schafer, Matthew Emht, Ed Eberhardy, Amos Almy, Leanne Phelps, Camille Cauchois, Patrick Englehardt, Jen Jackson, Dave Hollis, Alex Nancarrow. Jamie Lynn Hart. Additional Grizzly Bear Footage courtesy of Jay Elhard (NPS Denali), A National Park Service Production
Bear Safety while hiking and camping in Wrangell Saint Elias National Park and Preserve includes how to differentiate between Grizzly and Black bears, what to do if you encounter a bear, and the camping triangle of where to sleep, where to cook and where to store your food.
This is the primary video in the Safety in Bear Country video series, and is a major educational tool for anyone living, traveling, or working in black and grizzly bear country in North America. It includes the consensus opinion of leading experts on bear behavior and its relevance to human safety. Viewers will develop a better understanding of bear behavior and how this knowledge can help them to minimize the chance of bear encounters and bear attacks. The video stresses that a much greater degree of co-existence with bears is possible if people understand and apply a few safety principles.
Presented by members of the Safety in Bear Country Society: John Hechtel, Stephen Herrero, Grant MacHutchon, Andy McMullen, Jane McMullen and Phil Timpany. In cooperation with the International Association for Bear Research and Management. To learn more about the world's eight bear species and how you can help researchers study bear behavior, visit the International Association for Bear Research and Management at: bearbiology.org
Bear Safety for Hunters -- visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website for additional information.
Bear spray is proven to be highly successful at stopping aggressive behavior in bears. Bear Management Biologist Kerry Gunther walks through the steps to deploy bear spray.
Last updated: June 15, 2023
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Contact Info
Mailing Address:
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
PO Box 439
Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway
Copper Center,
AK
99573
