Have an escape plan and be on the lookout for bears

A mama bear with three cubs can be a gardener’s worst nightmare. Photo by Herman Wa

Bear sightings are not uncommon. One naturalist recently wrote: a bear with three cute little cubs in tow discovered the figs long before the deer. While mama bear is feeding on the luscious fruit, the baby bears have loads of fun climbing the spindly fig bushes, bending and breaking stems in the process.

YouTube videos often show bears interacting with people in forests and in residential areas.

What should you do when you encounter a bear?

Organizations like BearWise and agencies such as the National Park Service (NPS) and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) are leading authorities that strongly advise against running when encountering a bear.

Don’t scream and run.

Stand still and calmly speak to it, then slowly back away while always facing the bear. Never run, as it can trigger a chase. If the bear advances, stand your ground, talk assertively, wave your arms to appear larger, and prepare to use bear spray. If a black bear attacks, fight back aggressively, but if a grizzly bear makes contact, play dead.