Safety in Bear Country

 

Bears can be active anywhere in the park.

NPS Photo/J. Bonney

 

Bears are active throughout Grand Teton, and an encounter can happen anytime and anywhere. Use caution, stay alert, and be prepared should you encounter a bear in the park.

 

Bears on a road.

NPS Photo/C. Adams

Bear Encounters

Bear behavior is complex. Like people, bears react differently to each situation.

Bears may appear tolerant of people and then attack without warning. A bear's body language can help you determine its mood. In general, bears show agitation by swaying their heads, huffing, and clacking their teeth. Lowered head and laid-back ears also indicate aggression.

Bears may stand on their hind legs or approach to get a better view, but these are not necessarily signs of aggression; the bear may not have identified you as a human yet.

If you encounter a bear:

• DO NOT RUN. Bears can easily out run any human. Running may elicit attacks from non-aggressive bears.
• If the bear is unaware of you, detour quickly and quietly.
• If the bear is aware but has not acted aggressively, back slowly away while talking in an even tone or not at all.
• Use your peripheral vision. Bears may interpret direct eye contact as threatening.
• Do not drop your pack - this teaches bears how to obtain human food. Your pack can also protect your body in the case of an attack.
• Do not climb trees - all black bears and some grizzly bears can also climb trees.

The vast majority of bear attacks have occurred when people surprised a bear. In this situation the bear may attack as a defensive maneuver. The bear may be protecting young or defending a carcass.

If a bear charges you:

• DO NOT RUN. Some bears will bluff their way out of a threatening situation by charging, then veering off or stopping suddenly.
• Bear experts generally recommend standing still until the bear stops and then slowly back away.
• If you have bear spray this is the time to use it!
• If the bear makes contact with you, drop to the ground and lie flat on your stomach with your legs spread apart slightly and play dead. Cover the back of your neck with your hands. Keep your pack on to protect your back. Do not move until you are certain the bear has left.

In rare cases, bears have attacked at night or after stalking people. These attacks are very serious: it may mean the bear sees you as prey. If you are attacked at night or if you feel you have been stalked and attacked as prey, fight back. Use your bear spray, shout, and try to intimidate the bear with a stick or rock. In this type of situation, do whatever it takes to let the bear know you are not easy prey.

Learn more about bear ecology

 

Carrying bear spray is recommended in all areas of the park.

NPS Photo/C. Adams

How and When to Use Bear Spray

Bear spray should be used as a last resort when encountering an aggressive or charging bear. Carry bear spray in a place where it immediately available, not in your pack. Keep the safety in place until you are in a situation where you may need to use your bear spray.

If you encounter a bear, grab your bear spray in case you need to use it. Do not spray a bear just because it's there: only spray a charging or aggressive bear. To use bear spray:

• Remove safety clip and hold cannister with both hands.
• Point nozel towards bear, aiming at the bears feet.
• Wait until the bear is about 30ft away then hold down the trigger for 1-2 seconds. The spray will leave the cannister in a cloud.
• Continue spraying if the bear continues to charge.
• After using bear spray, leave the area. Do not run.

 

Selecting a Bear Spray

• All bear sprays must be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Only use bear spray products that clearly state "for deterring attacks by bears." The EPA registration number is displayed on the front label.

• EPA registered bear sprays, have an active ingredient, clearly shown on the label, of 1% to 2% Capsaicin and related Capsaicinoids. This active ingredient is what affects the bear's eyes, nose, mouth, throat, and lungs.

• EPA registered bear sprays have a minimum duration of at least 6 seconds or more to compensate for multiple bears; wind; bears that may zigzag, circle, or charge multiple times; and for the hike out after you have stopped a charging bear.

• EPA registered bear sprays shoot a minimum distance of 25 feet or more to reach the bear at a distance sufficient for the bear to react to effects of the active ingredients in time to divert or stop the bear's charge and give the bear time to retreat.

• EPA registered bear sprays have a minimum content of 7.6 oz or 215 grams.

• Visitors in bear country should carry a can of bear spray in a quickly accessible fashion. Bear spray should also be readily available in the sleeping, cooking, and toilet areas of backcountry camps.

• Be sure the expiration date on your bear spray is current.

Bear Spray Safety

• Leave the safety clip on the trigger unless you are ready to spray an agressive bear. The spray may accidentally discharge otherwise.
• Consider the use of bear spray when affected by wind, rain, cold temperatures, and age.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions, know how to use the spray, and be aware of its limitations, including the expiration date.
• If you use the spray to stop a bear, leave the area immediately.
• Bear spray is NOT a repellant! Do not spray it on people, tents or backpacks.
• Do NOT store your bear spray in a vehicle. It may overheat and explode.
• Bear spray is oil based. If you get bear spray on you, remove all affected clothes and wash skin with water.
• Under no circumstances should bear spray create a false sense of security or serve as a substitute for standard safety precautions in bear county.

 

A black bear travels through vegetation.

NPS/J. Bonney

Hiking in Bear Country

Black and grizzly bears live throughout the park. Many popular hiking trails pass through prime bear habitat, so encountering a bear is always a possibility. Bears occasionally use trails to travel on - just because a bear is on a trail doesn't mean it's aggressive.

Make Noise, Avoid Surprise

Bears usually avoid people if they hear them coming. To prevent surprising a bear:

• Talk loudly or call out (“Hey bear!”) at regular intervals
• Clap your hands, especially in dense vegetation or on blind corners
• Don’t rely on bear bells—they're often not loud enough

Be particularly careful near streams, when it's windy, in dense vegetation, or in any circumstance that limits line of sight (e.g. a blind corner or rise in the trail).

 

A black bear walks down a trail

NPS Photo/A. Falgoust

Give Bears Space

Never approach a bear. Each bear reacts differently, and their comfort zones vary. All bears are wild, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous. Treat black and grizzly bears with the same level of respect.

• Keep children close and hike in groups when possible
• Avoid hiking early morning, late evening, or after dark
• Leave headphones and earbuds behind

Food and Packs

It's okay to bring food on a day hike,but keep it with you at all times.

• If a bear approaches while you’re eating, pack up immediately and back away
• Never throw food or your pack at a bear to distract it

Bears that get human food can become aggressive and may have to be killed. Keeping your food secure protects both you and the bears.

 

Food and drink items, as well as all coolers, should be stored in a bear-proof locker when not in direct use.

NPS Photo

Camping in Bear Country

Bears live throughout Grand Teton National Park—including near campgrounds, picnic areas, and developed sites. Odors from food and personal items can attract bears, putting both people and bears at risk.

Special consideration for food storage and the use of bear resistant canisters apply to backcountry campers, hikers and climbers.

Store All Odorous Items Properly

When not in use, all odorous items must be stored in a bear-resistant food storage locker or a hard-sided vehicle with doors locked and windows closed, day and night. This includes:

• Food and drinks (even empty containers)
• Trash and recyclables
• Coolers and ice chests
• Clean or dirty cookware, stoves, and grills
• Toiletries: toothpaste, soap, deodorant, etc.
• Fuel, bug spray, sunscreen
• Pet food, bowls, and treats

Never store any of these items in tents, sleeping bags, or soft-sided vehicles.

 

While Cooking and Eating

• Only take out the food you're actively using, immediately store all other items
• If a bear approaches, take all food with you and leave the area

Never throw food at a bear or leave it behind to distract them. This teaches bears to associate humans with food and often leads to them being euthanized.

Keep a Clean Camp

• Clean up immediately after meals and dispose of all trash in bear-resistant dumpsters
• Unattended or improperly stored food may be confiscated, and violations can result in fines

Pets and Reporting

• Keep pets under physical control at all times; never leave them unattended
• Report careless campers and all bear sightings to the nearest ranger or campground kiosk

By following these rules, you help keep yourself and Grand Teton’s bears safe.

 

Learn More About Bears

 

 

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