Surviving Bear Encounters: Expert Tips from a 22-Year Canadian Rockies Wildlife Videographer 

LOL. In the moment you'll be surprised how calm you can remain when your life depends on it. Panic would have likely made this situation a deadly one. Thankfully, we both found a peaceful exit.

@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada I am glad you've kept your calm.

I think i would do the same !

Wow I'll take that as a big compliment thank you!!!

That is awesome!

If it's brown, my pants will turn brown.

I'm glad you found some helpful information in here. :) And thank you.

Well thank you! From a fellow Albertan.

I think this only applies for bear attacks, not encounters, the difference could mean life or death. You certainly don’t want to go charging into battle if you see a black bear and it’s not attacking yet.

This didn’t work well. I still got shot.

Hugh Glass was lying down and he was filleted like a fish.

@@neinsager3236and he miraculously survived 🤕

It's it black you're on crack. If its brown flush it down. If its white its right. If its yellow let it mellow. If it blue screw you. If its red you're dead. Etc...

Why thank you! I hope it was helpful and informative.

I'm glad it was helpful. I hope it makes you feel safer and more at ease in the Rockies if you go there.

@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada I don't have any plans to visit currently but I would love to when I have the money and for the record yes, I feel much safer doing so with the knowledge from your video.

You are more than welcome. I hope it was helpful.

Bear spray? Do your homework. Ha ha! Do you know how many idiots have been attacked or killed in bear country?

Absolutely!

I wouldn't put myself in bear country at all! I can watch videos of other idiots wandering in bear country. I want to live!

LOL!

Be careful, not only is Brown Bear behaviour different from Black Bear behavior - a distinction this video totally fails to make, but Brown Bears in the Yukon may behave significantly differently from Brown Bears in more densely populated areas, and most of the advice you will find is optimized for Grizzlies in areas like Jasper, Banff, and Yellowstone, where the bears get used to occasionally seeing people, consequently being less likely to act in surprised and nervous ways during an encounter. Since surprise and stress are the main factors that tend to make an encounter with a Grizzly dangerous, in a remote area like Yukon, it is even more important to diligently take all the usual precautions, doing all you can to avoid surprises, and staying as far away from Grizzlies as possible in case you see any.

Please dont learn about it, just stay away.

@@DeeShee-eo1up trek is done. I survived.

@@TheCanadian888 Glad to hear that, hiking in the Yukon must be an awesome experience. On the other hand, i guess nobody is surprised that you survived. There isn't anything wrong with hiking in grizzly territory, in particular when you do your homework in advance to educate yourself and behave properly. The advice of "just stay away" feels more geared towards polar bears than towards grizzlies.

Gee, let's see ... no one could get me in bear country.

Oh that's just terrible that you have been mislead by these completely invalid representations about bear behavior. They are omnivors, with the majority of thier diet being vegetarian. Can you site these articles so we can look into who wrote these stories? It's terrible to see these magnificent, peaceful and wild creatures being painted in the wrong light. They deserve so much more respect, as do you. These sorts of stories absolutely insult your intelligence.

@@InsidersTravelGuideCanadaAlthough bear attacks are rare, there have certainly been maulings and fatalities - many of them unprovoked. I realize you spend a lot of time in the back country, but I find your advice to be over simplified. Perhaps you are catering to city people. Two friends of my husband’s were killed by a grizzly while field dressing an elk they had shot. We just spent 2 weeks in Banff and Jasper, and the park information advises hikers to carry bear spray and know how to use it. If you are in bear country, you should carry bear spray at the very least as well as a knife, as it is always best to be prepared. There were two bad maulings where each man survived because he had a knife - both grizzlies - one near Bella Coola, and one in the Alberta foothills. My husband has hunted and fished in the back country his whole life and never had a problem with a bear, but he takes it very seriously and is always prepared.

Read the night of the grizzly these animals are real life monsters and are to be feared they kill people every year ​@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada

I wouldn't go into bear country at all!

yes yes, of course ANTI-BEAST SPRAY... .... when you are in a situation where you already need to somehow PROTECT yourself FROM AN ANIMAL - SAVING A LIFE - then the SPRAY helps 100%, but only AFTER THE BEAR BREAKS YOUR NECK...

Well as a martial artist it's true with people, and animals its best to avoid physical confrontation at all costs. But if you can't avoid it, fight like you are gonna win it.

Hey thanks so much. I'm glad the video was clear. I may do a video specifically on Bear Spray. The jury is out on how effective this is and if you even need it. After 22 years in the back country I can tell you that I never used it and I'm still here. I'd say if you really want to spend the money on it, that I'd only take it into the real backcountry where you are further away from other humans. On most marked trails there's no point as there are enough humans to keep bears away. But personally, I think it doesn't matter either way. If it makes you feel better by all means carry it. Just make sure you are really clear on how to use it and understand how dangerous it can be if you don't.

I know of at least one bear attack (hunter) where spray was discharged on a charging Griz at about 10 feet, the hunter got hit and mauled, but within the first couple of seconds the effects kicked in and grizzly got mad and disappeared - the guy survived. Have also see it work in multiple videos on curious bears. Won't stop every bear in every circumstance and isn't needed in most encounters (if you have the confidence to put on a show of strength), but when a bear is in locked onto you in predator mode (admittedly very rare), nothing short of spray or lead has a chance of stopping it@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada

Thank you. Hmm. Sounds like another video! I would bring trail mix (nuts and raisins), granola bars, beef jerky on occasion. Make sure you have lots of water and don't eat snacks that are too salty or full of sugar like chips or candy. Dates and almonds are a wicked couple of snacks to have and good energy with nutritional value for sure. (Don't bring fish snacks like sardines) That being said, when mountain biking for distance, I'd bring a pop tart with me (I know, no nutritional value LOL) for some quick and slow release energy in case I felt myself losing steam. i.e. Rundle loop from Banff to Canmore, up to Spray Lakes, and then back to Banff, all in a wonderful loop around Mount Rundle. I'd always have my camel back for that because it was a lot of easy to access water in a small backpack. Make sure your foods are all in resealable bags so you aren't creating too much food odor or making your pack smell like a buffet hee hee.

Your question sounds as if you wonder whether you can select your food such that it is less attractive to bears. No, that is not going to work. Whatever food you bring must always be stored safely overnight - either in bearproof containers provided by the campside or by hanging if from a bearpole or, failing all that, by *properly* hanging it from tree(s). Bears may eat anything from tree bark, some kinds of leaves, roots, tubers, flowers, berries and fruits, nuts, grubs, fish, small mammals, carrion (no matter whether it's fresh or seriously rotten and full of maggots) and they rarely get sick from whatever they eat, even when it's badly rotten. A bear will like almost anything that a human might consider acceptable, and much more besides. That talk about avoiding bear attractants applies to what you plant in your garden, not to which food to take on a hike. In a nutshell, if you live in Canmore, do not plant an apple tree in your backward (because that would attract bears into town for the harvest) - but taking an apple along for your hike? Sure, no problem with that, just store it properly.

@@IngoSchwarze thank both of you for your answers. I was not clear, we’d only be doing day hikes, so no camping or cooking, then no need for bearproof containers. I just wanted to see if there would be any food that should be avoided to take, but I understand that bears would gladly eat anything we eat.

yes yes, of course ANTI-BEAST SPRAY... .... when you are in a situation where you already need to somehow PROTECT yourself FROM AN ANIMAL - SAVING A LIFE - then the SPRAY helps 100%, but only AFTER THE BEAR BREAKS YOUR NECK...

The likelihood is low but...don't keep any food in your tent. There are bear proof lockers at every campsite. And there will be bear warnings if bears have been sight2d near the campground

@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada Thank you! Good to know the likelihood is low lol.

Hey Nadeem, bear spray is something I'll talk about in another video. I don't think you'll ever need bear spray if you follow these tips. 22 Years in the Rockies and I never carried bear spray. There are many opinions as to whether it works or not.

I aint taking no chances going into bear country. What's the point?

yes yes, of course ANTI-BEAST SPRAY... .... when you are in a situation where you already need to somehow PROTECT yourself FROM AN ANIMAL - SAVING A LIFE - then the SPRAY helps 100%, but only AFTER THE BEAR BREAKS YOUR NECK...

@@susiearviso3032 The point is that bear country also happens to be some of the most incredibly beautiful country you'll ever experience in your life. Your chances of getting killed in a car crash on the way to bear country FAR, FAR exceed your chances of being killed by a bear once you get there.

I wouldn't put myself in bear country at all! I can watch videos of other idiots wandering in bear country. I want to live!

If you're in a bar or bowling alley, for example, and cougars start bothering you, just say no and that you're happily married. She'll wander off and bother someone else.

Alain, that is a great idea. This is a completely understandable fear, and worthy of a video to help with those fears.

​@@321southtube 😂Like it, hilarious. Thank you. You made my day

I wouldn't put myself in bear country at all! I can watch videos of other idiots wandering in bear country. I want to live!

I'd say it can't hurt but these bells aren't as good as a good "Whoop whoop!" But if it makes you feel comfortable, and you can handle the constant jingle go for it. I never used them personally. However, it does let other hikers know you are coming around the corner!

😂Park rangers are advising hikers and campers in national parks to be alert for bears and take extra precautions to avoid an encounter. They advise park visitors to wear little bells on their clothes so they make noise when hiking. The bell noise allows bears to hear them coming from a distance, so they won’t be startled by a hiker accidentally sneaking up on them, which might cause a bear to charge. Visitors are told they should also carry a pepper spray can just in case they encounter a bear. Spraying the pepper into the air will irritate the bear’s sensitive nose and it will run away. It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh bear droppings so you have an idea if bears are in the area. People should be able to recognise the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat. Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper.

@@janice8925 Rocks that have been freshly turned over are another sign of bears. They look for worms, grubs, insects, and the like.

Hey Kelly. I'd say any noise can't hurt. But you want to enjoy the natural sounds. I'd just make noise. Whatever works for you, and makes the bears aware of your presence. Then you should be good. And travel in groups of 3 or more if you can.

I'm not a bear spray advocate, but it's not say it doesn't work. But it's fact that many grizzly bears have only gotten more pissed off after being sprayed. Look at all of the people who get pepper sprayed in riots etc...many of them fall to their knees, but many of them also get even more enraged. My personal view is, that if a black bear attacks, I stand my ground and fight like hell. If a grizzly attacks I play dead. There's a whole other conversation to be had there. Perhaps it's time for another video!

Yes you can!

Good question and a common one. I never carried bear spray. I feel like if you take the right precautions you'll never need it. But that being said, I plan to do a video on bear spray.

After 22 years in the back country of the Canadian Wilderness, I'd say I'll take my chances using my experience and wisdom. Ots worked for me ans many others I know who have also had multiple bear encounters. You have a story to share about a bear encounter you've personally experienced? Please share it with our audience.

Bear spray isn't always effective.

As a matter of fact it does! The louder the better.

You forgot Saltwater Crocodiles or maybe a big pack of starving dingoes!!!

@@jamespmullin21753 only dingo I ever saw outside a zoo was domesticated as a pet. Never seen one in the wild. Fraser Island apparently has a few but they are more likely to attack humans that are careless. They’re not huge though. Maybe like a coyote. Estuarine crocodiles (that’s the correct name rather than salt water as they can be in either fresh or salt water in the coastal rivers) don’t really bother you unless you’re doing something foolish. We lived ten years in the far north of Australia (that’s the only area where they are and we don’t see them in the wild below the Tropic of Capricorn) and only ever saw them when we went on viewing tours. You just know that there are places to avoid at certain times of the year, and things you just don’t do or places you don’t swim. Dingos and crocodiles hardly compare to the range of bears, wolves, cougars/mountain lions/panthers /cougars and charging bison in the USA, especially because dingos and crocodiles are in specific areas of Australia. A pack of starving dingos… never seen such a thing in my life. Dingos are actually very shy animals. Like all animals, don’t be stupid around them and they will leave you alone. I still argue though that we have nothing as dangerous as America and Canada when it comes to huge animals that can chase you down without warning.

Don't have to worry about wolves, coyotes or cougars. They will avoid you. Bears on the other hand will eat you alive. They don't kill before starting to eat. Make noise, store food properly and away from you, and if you have bear spray, don't spray it around your camp site. It will just attract them. Happy camping.

I didn’t know that, thanks. I’ve been afraid of bears since I watched at age 13 the movie “Grizzly” in ‘76 but it never stopped me from hiking in a national park, at least in and east of Eastern Ontario. I make sure to have a jingle bell on my wrist, whistle a tune etc. and hope the bear isn’t deaf.

Stay away from bear country, idiots.

For sure! LOL. But the sights you'll miss out on!!

I'm actually working on a video about bear spray. Personally, I never used it or needed it after 22 years in the National Parks. There are varying oppinions about it's effectiveness. However, my main intention in my video was to show how to avoid negative bear encounters so you don't need bear spray. Or think you need it. I think without it, you tend to act with even more waryness and with it, you tend to not take as much action as you could to reduce the risks. I say it's a lot easier to practice fire safety and not have a fire, than to have to try and put out a forest fire after you start it.

I've seen videos of people using bear spray and all it did was piss the bear off.

😅😅😅

Don't punch a brown bear. Don't fight for your life. Play dead.

I used to think exactly the same thing but Parks Canada, and the advice has evolved. The most important thing to do is read the situation. I agree that there is a big difference between how Grizzly bears and black bears behave but I'm inclined to agree with how Parks Canada has decided to educate on this. This is especially important to keep simple for new visitors so that they don't get themselves confused. Thank you for sharing your wisdom though I agree. But at the end of the day, black or brown, if you play dead and the attack becomes predatory, the only thing you have left to do is fight for your life rather than just give it up. At least that's my feeling.

Ya bad bear always works,also your not getting your cookies tonight works as well.

You are right about the black bear advice. I'm making this more behavior oriented so people don't get mixed up but our "Locals Mantra" is Brown lay down and Black fight back.

I don t think so

No, I'm a real person LOL

Well, it applies to both yes. But as the old saying goes, "Black fight back, Brown lay down."

I hear they like their human flesh spicy so - no.

MaVerick, you make a good point and there's a very good reason I have not included that distinction in this video. After 22 years in the Rockies I always used the analogy, Brown lie down, black fight back. However, Parks Canada has officially changed direction on this advice and I'm inclined to agree with their messaging. For new visitors especially, it's much more important to understand Bear Behavior than get mixed up about what to do with what color of bear. Most people hear this poem and can't remember if it's lie down for the brown, or the black, or whatever. It's a lot easier to remember and react to behavior and circumstances than anything.

@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada Besides, distinguishing the two species is much harder than many people think. Yes, sometimes one single property, e.g. the shoulder hump or the long claws, can be clearly seen, and that single property alone may then allow a positive identification, but often enough, it's not that obvious on first sight and you need to look for the face profile (which can be hard to judge from the front), the length and shape of the ears (which can be misleading when the fur is wet), or colour contrasts between the fur just above the paws and near the shoulders (if the lower part of the leg is significantly darker than the shoulders, that hints at a Brown Bear). In such cases, it is sometimes necessary to combine multiple properties for the identification, and even then, in some cases, especially with young bears, your experience may simply not be sufficient for a correct identification. Consequently, i will only follow advice for black bears when i'm absolutely sure it definitely is a black bear, and default to advice for brown bears in case of doubt. Misidentifying a brown bear as black is significantly more dangerous than the other way round. The only situation where misidentifying a black blear as brown might be dangerous is when it keeps actively stalking you - and not only is that exceedingly rare, but you are also very likely to sooner or later realize your mistake simply because a brown bear won't show that kind of behaviour in the first place. All that said, i still think that in those cases where i am very sure regarding the species, slightly adapting my response reduces risk. For example, when it's very clearly a black bear but doesn't react to my initial retreat by also turning away, i'll change tack relatively early to behave assertively like waving my arms and yelling at it, hence not encouraging it to approach any closer when defusing the situation by retreating doesn't work right away. On the other hand, when i'm sure it's a brown bear, i'll skip the part about waving arms and yelling (which can go badly wrong with a Grizzly if it is in a bad mood) and go straight from retreating and talking in a calm, soothing voice to using my bear spray at the optimal distance, if it keeps approaching. Either way, these are details, and learning the basics about bear behaviour that apply to both species must come first, no doubt about that.

No never, say time out.

Probably yes. Last choice. Preferably you have a knife. Go for the eyes. There's a true story of a mauled hiker who stabbed a grizzly many times & got badly hurt, but he got both eyes. The grizzly bled to death & was located ~1km from the attack as it staggered around blind. The hiker survived & was interviewed on the CBC; he was lucky to survive.

No. I never carry bear spray.

I was in the home of these bears for over 22 years and it worked out pretty well. I find that using my brains, common sense and respectful behavior helped me to avoid negative encounters, and helped me walk away from a surprise encounter unscathed. And many, many people I know who spent even more time than me in the backcountry had the same experience.

yes yes, of course ANTI-BEAST SPRAY... .... when you are in a situation where you already need to somehow PROTECT yourself FROM AN ANIMAL - SAVING A LIFE - then the SPRAY helps 100%, but only AFTER THE BEAR BREAKS YOUR NECK...

Not everyone has 22 years of experience, which it would take much of it to really know what to do if a person hasn't been in a bear encounter. Bear spray is mandatory by all park rangers in Yellowstone and they know what they are doing also. I have backpacked into bear country, but would never recommend to anyone to not carry bear spray. @@InsidersTravelGuideCanada

Nicholas you would be surprised but when you are in the situation your better instincts take over. As long as you know what to do. I was amazed at how I was able to remain calm. (But I was terrified!)

LOL. The general rule is just be faster than the person behind you! But I jest. Follow my advice in the video, and follow your instincts. Trust them.

Bear spray is not your best defense period! A 12 gauge with slugs is your best defense. But of course guns are very bad.

@@matthewcauthorn9731 Firearms and hunting are not permitted in national parks. Even bear bangers are restricted in Banff National Park.

bear spray is a non-lethal bear deterrent to be used before threat escalation comparable to CS gas usage, if you becomes its prey and you want to survive, you better have a plan B ready to execute ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TZ5HJHZ8Mfw.html and if you are not certain, just stay away from potential area

yes yes, of course ANTI-BEAST SPRAY... .... when you are in a situation where you already need to somehow PROTECT yourself FROM AN ANIMAL - SAVING A LIFE - then the SPRAY helps 100%, but only AFTER THE BEAR BREAKS YOUR NECK...

You do that I will carry a firearm

And you would shoot the bear like a moron ?

Not in Banff or Jasper National Park you won't LOL.

@@InsidersTravelGuideCanada then I don't go there hahah

We don't see attacks all of the time. We just don't. Heck, 22 years in the Rockies, actually in the backcountry, I would know. Don't let rumors ruin the reality. :)

If car accidents are rare, why are there so many videos of them? Well duh, videos of people driving safely are kind of boring. In the same way the news media doesn't feature stories about people who didn't see a bear. It's called selection bias.

Actually no. I never carried it. But that's just a personal choice. I don't think it's necessary. But that's my personal choice again. If it makes you feel safer it can't hurt.

Not in National Parks LOL

LOL. Where's the fun in that? :)

Bears rarely hunt people. They act on instinct, and we don't look or sound like deer. They might see us as a kind of bear, and they tend to avoid each other. If you act like prey they will treat you like prey.