Bear Safety 101: How to Protect Yourself and Bears in the Sierra Nevada
Earlier this summer, video footage captured a 500-pound bear, nicknamed “Victor” by locals, rummaging through picnic supplies at Mammoth Lakes’ Coldwater Campground before swiping a camper’s leg, leaving her with a deep laceration. Wildlife officials euthanized Victor in the wake of the attack.
This encounter and a separate incident, the first fatal bear attack by a California black bear in 2023, have underscored the critical importance of proper bear safety and vigilance when traveling in bear country, to protect both bears and humans. There are somewhere between 50,000-81,000 black bears living in the wild in California and human-bear encounters have been on the rise since the 1960s.
There are a number of ways to prevent dangerous encounters, in particular securing food and other attractants not only protects campers but also helps keep bears wild and safe from being euthanized due to dangerous habituation. The National Forest Service and other organizations offer detailed guidelines to minimize bear encounters, ensuring a safer coexistence for everyone in bear country, which I’ve summarized below:
Preventing Bear Problems
In California bear country, adhering to specific food storage regulations is crucial for preventing bear encounters. Here’s what you need to know:
- Store All Food and Attractants Properly
- Ensure all food is stored in bear-resistant containers or in food storage boxes provided at many campgrounds and trailheads. This includes not only food but also non-food items such as plastic bottles, coffee mugs, pet food, trash, and cosmetics. Bears are adept at breaking into cars and tents, so never leave these items unattended.
- Use Bear-Resistant Containers
- In designated wilderness areas, bear-resistant containers are highly recommended. In eight specific areas, their use is mandatory. These containers are designed to prevent bears from accessing food and are the most effective method for wilderness travelers. The National Park Service and the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee both publish guidelines and lists of bear-resistant containers.
- Proper Placement of Food – Counter-Balance Method
- If bear-resistant containers are not mandatory, use the counter-balance hanging technique. Hang food at least 15 feet above the ground and 10 feet horizontally from the tree trunk. However, this method is less reliable as bears may still find ways to access food. Be prepared to actively defend your food if necessary.
- Report Incidents
- Immediately call 911 if a bear attacks you. For other incidents, such as property damage or a bear obtaining food, report the event using the Bear Incident Report Form. See below for National Park Service guidance on dealing with bear aggression.
- Plan for Food Storage
- Space in food storage boxes can be limited at trailheads and campgrounds. Only bring what you need for your trip and label your items with your return date. Use soft insulated bags or smaller coolers to fit items into these boxes.
- Stay Informed
- Be aware that neighboring parks and forests may have different food storage requirements. Always check local regulations for the specific guidelines for the area you plan to visit.
By following these bear safety recommendations, you not only safeguard yourself but also help prevent bears from becoming habituated to human food.
Additional Precautions
SierraWild, a multiagency website that provides guidance on wilderness adventure in the Sierra Nevada, provides this additional guidance on how to avoid aggressive bear encounters in the first place:
In a Wilderness Setting:
A bear going about its business in a natural setting is something to cherish and quietly observe. Enjoy the experience, and follow these simple rules:
- Stay together in one group – don’t spread out, especially with small children
- Give the bear(s) lots of room – 50 yards or more
- Don’t get between a sow (mom) and her cubs – always look around for cubs, including in nearby trees
- Don’t linger too long – allow the bear to go about its business without following
- Use a telelphoto lens – don’t try to get close for a picture
- Never feed anything to a bear – or to any wildlife for that matter
In a Developed Area (or backcountry campsite):
This is not a bear’s natural habitat – the more time a bear spends in developed areas, the more habituated to humans it will become. To help protect the bear, scare it out of the developed area by using these techniques:
- Make sure all your “food” (anything with a scent) is stored correctly – don’t walk away from food left on a picnic table, grill, etc.
- Gather your group together – especially small kids
- Make lots of noise – aggressively yell, clap, bang pots and pans, or sing bombastic Russian (or Serbian) Opera
- Never surround a bear – they need an escape route!
- Never get between a sow (mom) and her cubs – cubs might be up a nearby tree
- Never try to take food back from a bear
- Don’t run – if a bear huffs and shows you its profile (stands sideways), it may bluff charge. Stand your ground or back away slowly.
Understanding Bear Behavior and What to Do During an Attack
Aggressive behavior from bears can be very dangerous. Warning signs include yawning, clacking teeth, and pounding paws, often accompanied by huffing. These signals indicate a stressed bear that may be preparing to charge, usually with its head down and ears back.
The National Park Service and National Forest Service provide the following basic advice on determining how to behave in the case of a bear attack, depending on what species of bear you are dealing with.
- If you surprise a bear, slowly and calmly back away while avoiding direct eye contact—the bear may see this as an aggressive or challenging behavior.
- Slowly and calmly speak to the bear, wave your arms to let the bear know you are a human.
- Pick up any small children or pets immediately. Watch the bear (avoiding eye contact) as you leave the area.
- If the bear continues to approach, try to scare it away by making yourself as large and imposing as possible by stretching your arms overhead and making loud noises.
- Carry and know how to use bear spray, which is available at many outdoor retailers and can be used to deter a charging bear.
- If you surprise a black bear (the bears found in California) and it charges or attacks, fight back with everything you have.
- Brown bears and grizzlies are no longer found California, but I’m including this so you know the distinction if you happen to be traveling in areas where they live: If you surprise a grizzly/brown bear and it charges or attacks, do not fight back. Only fight back if the attack persists.
- Never run from bear because it can cause a predatory reaction from the bear. Do not try to climb a tree. You cannot outrun or out climb a bear.
