In Summary

• Avoid surprising bears at close distance; look for signs of bears and make plenty of noise.
• Avoid crowding bears; respect their "personal space."
• Avoid attracting bears through improper handling of food or garbage.
• Plan ahead, stay calm, identify yourself, don't run.

In most cases, bears are not a threat, but they do deserve your respect and attention. When traveling in bear country, keep alert and enjoy the opportunity to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.

Female bears can be fierce defenders of their young. Getting between a female and her cubs is a serious mistake. A female bear may respond aggressively to any threat she perceives to her cubs.

For additional information about traveling in bear country, please contact one of the following agencies which participated in publication of this brochure:

Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Alaska DNR, Divisions of Forestry and Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Alaska Department of Public Safety, Division of Fish & Wildlife Protection
Alaska Natural History Association
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. Forest Service

Photo credits: Larry Aumiller, K. Whitten, John Hyde

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