"A Bear Doesn’t Care" Campaign

"A Bear Doesn't Care" campaign posters
Four posters from the "A Bear Doesn't Care" campaign
 

Yellowstone National Park wants to increase the number of people carrying bear spray through an engaging, celebrity-filled campaign called “A Bear Doesn’t Care.” Whether you are a hiker, backpacker, angler, photographer, wolf watcher or geyser gazer, the campaign encourages you to carry bear spray – no excuses!

A bear doesn’t care how far you’re hiking, if you’re just fishing, or even if you work here. No matter who you are or what you are doing, you should always carry bear spray and know how to use it.

Recent data collected by park scientists revealed that only 28 percent of visitors who enter the park’s backcountry carry bear spray. Studies show that bear spray is more than 90 percent effective in stopping an aggressive bear, in fact, it is the most effective deterrent when used in combination with our regular safety recommendations—be alert, make noise, hike in groups of three or more, and do not run if you encounter a bear.

“Yellowstone visitors care deeply about preserving bears and observing them in the wild,” says Kerry Gunther, the park’s Bear Management Specialist. “Carrying bear spray is the best way for visitors to participate in bear conservation because reducing potential conflicts protects both people and bears.”

Local celebrities who appear in the campaign share the message that bear spray is essential for safety in bear country. Poster designs include actor Jeff Bridges, alpinist Conrad Anker, artist Jennifer Lowe-Anker, National Geographic photographer Ronan Donovan, and fly fisherman Craig Mathews.

Help us spread the word about the importance of carrying bear spray. Download posters using the links below or from our Flickr Site, and be sure to share your favorites.

Downloads

All posters are available as full-size JPEGs:

 
Campers preparing dinner in the Tower Campground
Camp in Bear Country

Tips to keep bears and people safe.

Photo of hikers with bear spay
Hike in Bear Country

Best practices for safely exploring the park.

Photo of ranger deploying bear spray.
Bear Spray

Learn about this highly effective bear deterrent.

Photo of a grizzly bear and cub on a boardwalk at Old Faithful
Bear Encounter

How you react to a bear encounter depends on the circumstances.

Photo of a sign indicating a bear management area
Bear Management Areas

Restrictions to reduce encounters between humans and bears.

Photo of a person watching a grizzly bear from a vehicle
Watch Roadside Bears

Learn how to protect yourself and keep bears wild when watching them along the road.

Photo of a grizzly bear in a green meadow
Bear Safety

Best practices for traveling safely in bear country.

A person looks through a camera with a large zoom lens at a bear in the distance
Watch Wildlife

Bring binoculars or a spotting scope and enjoy watching animals from a safe distance.

Last updated: July 10, 2019

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

Phone:

307-344-7381

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