Fight back if you’re attacked by a black bear.
Black bears won’t give up if you play dead, so don’t even bother. If you don’t have bear spray and a black bear starts charging at you, throw rocks at it, toss your belongings at it, and shout. If they get even closer, hit them in the eyes or nose, and do your best to shock or stun the bear to send them fleeing. Playing dead just won’t trick a black bear into leaving you alone, so there’s no point.[15]
- If you do have bear spray, use that instead of trying to physically fight the bear.
- Black bears are like bullies. They’ll often give up if you show them you’re willing to fight back.
- You can remember to fight black bears with the motto, “If it’s black, fight back.”
Play dead if you’re attacked by a brown/grizzly bear.
Black bears won’t give up if you play dead, so don’t even bother. If you don’t have bear spray and a black bear starts charging at you, throw rocks at it, toss your belongings at it, and shout. If they get even closer, hit them in the eyes or nose, and do your best to shock or stun the bear to send them fleeing. Playing dead just won’t trick a black bear into leaving you alone, so there’s no point.[15]
- If you do have bear spray, use that instead of trying to physically fight the bear.
- Black bears are like bullies. They’ll often give up if you show them you’re willing to fight back.
- You can remember to fight black bears with the motto, “If it’s black, fight back.”