Black bears rarely become aggressive when encountered. However, it’s best to [avoid bear encounters in the first place](https://bearwise.org/bear-safety-tips/hiking-camping/).  

Nonetheless, the next best thing is to be prepared and to know what to do if an encounter happens.  These guidelines will help you through a bear encounter:

### If you do encounter a black bear…

##### …In A Building, By A Dumpster, Or Around The Corner
- Give the bear a clear escape route (do not corner it).
- Leave any doors open as you back away from the bear.
- Do not lock the bear in a room.

##### …In Your Backyard
- From a safe distance, make loud noises, shout, or bang pots and pans together to scare away the bear.
- When the bear leaves, remove potential attractants such as garbage, bird seed, or pet food.
- Ask neighbors to remove attractants.
- Check your yard for bears before letting out your dog.
- bear on bird feeder post
- in the wood icon

##### …In The Woods
- ###### If you see a bear before it notices you: 
  - stand still, don’t approach and enjoy the moment. Then move away quietly in the opposite direction.
- ###### If you encounter a bear that’s aware of you: 
  - don’t run; running may trigger a chase response. Back away slowly in the opposite direction and wait for the bear to leave.
  - See below for what to do if a bear approaches, follows or charges you. 
- ###### Carry Bear Spray & Know How To Use It
  - I know you asked what to do without bear spray, but it really is proven to be the easiest and most effective way to deter a bear that threatens you; so get some bear spray if you plan to go into the woods.  Keep it accessible at all times. It doesn’t work like bug repellent, so never spray your tent, campsite or belongings.

### If a black bear becomes aggressive and…

##### …Approaches You
- Stand your ground.
- Back away only when the bear stops its approach.
- Make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump.
- Yell “Hey bear” loudly.
- Get your bear spray out of the holster and into your hand. Remove the safety latch.

##### …Follows You
- Stand your ground.
- Try to appear large by holding up your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump.
- Back away only when the bear stops its approach.
- Intimidate the black bear by making yourself look bigger and making noise (wave arms, shout, clap, bang stick).
- Stay together.

##### …Continues To Follow You
- Stand your ground and stay together.
- Intimidate the black bear by making yourself look bigger and making noise (wave arms, shout, clap, bang stick).
- Prepare to fight or use bear spray.

##### …Charges You
- Stand your ground.
- Remain calm.
- If you have bear spray, spray it directly at the bear.

##### …Makes Contact With You
- FIGHT BACK with anything at hand (knife, sticks, rocks, binoculars, backpack or by kicking).
- DO NOT play dead.

*You can find more information on bear safety at [BearWise.org](https://bearwise.org/). The program is managed by a team of North American bear biologists and communications professionals and supported by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the BearWise member states, and developed by state agency bear biologists who wanted to make sure that no matter where people lived, played or traveled, they got the same consistent message about coexisting with bears.* 

Is there anything else I can do to help you be prepared?
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