Bear warning signs
Source Ontario Be Bear Wise
Black bear attacks are extremely rare. A threatened or predatory black bear will give off warning signs to let you know you are too close. If a black bear stands on its hind legs this is not aggressive behaviour, and the bear is trying to get a better look at you or “catch your scent”.
A defensive bear
A bear that feels threatened will:
salivate excessively and exhale loudly
make huffing, moaning, clacking and popping sounds with its mouth, teeth and jaws
lower its head with its ears drawn back while facing you
charge forward, and/or swat the ground with its paws (known as a ‘bluff’ charge).
A predatory bear
The bear will approach silently, usually in rural or remote areas, and may continue to approach regardless of your attempts to deter them by yelling or throwing rocks. If the bear attacks:
Use bear spray.
Fight back with everything you have.
Do not play dead unless you are sure a mother bear is attacking in defence of her cubs.
Report all encounters to the appropriate authorities, ( BC Conservation officer before an possible encounter with defensive or offensive tone you can access some info from Wild Safe BC human animal conflict mediation.
A tame bear is a dead bear!
Don’t try to make friends!
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
The Proprietor Review 