What I Learned After the Grizzly Charged Me

Bear Safety from Jason Wilmot, Wildlife Biologist,US Forest Service

By Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven, Destination: Wildlife Team member. Vango Photos: www.vangophotos.com

Following my scary encounter with a grizzly bear sow and her cub, while hiking in Jackson Hole, Wyoming a few weeks ago, I recently had the chance to discuss my encounter with an expert. While it seems that everyone has an opinion on the matter, especially on what I could have done better, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to talk about my encounter and learn about best practices with US Forest Service wildlife biologist Jason Wilmot.

Jason works for the Jackson & Blackrock Ranger Districts and studies the wildlife in the Bridger-Teton National Forest which is part of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. He also trains staff in neighboring states on best practices for living with brown and black bears.

THE MISSION OF THE USDA FOREST SERVICE IS TO SUSTAIN THE HEALTH, DIVERSITY, AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE NATION'S FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. IT IS ALSO A GOOD SOURCE OF 'BEST PRACTICES" FOR WILDLIFE ENCOUN… — *THE MISSION OF THE USDA FOREST SERVICE IS TO SUSTAIN THE HEALTH, DIVERSITY, AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE NATION'S FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.* IT IS ALSO A GOOD SOURCE OF 'BEST PRACTICES" FOR WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS. IMAGE: USDA FORESTRY SERVICE

Not All Bear Attacks Are The Same

There are two sorts of attacks when it comes to bears: predatory and defensive attacks.

The Predatory Bear Attack

The predatory attack is what we all fear the most: a bear that attacks with one thing on his mind, to eat you. While uncommon – bears don't typically look at humans as food (except perhaps for polar bears) – this type of attack is most regularly associated with black bears.

Even though black bears are typically smaller than their brown bear cousins, this is a life-threatening situation.

Never mind trying to get away from any bear: they can outrun you, out-swim you, out-climb you … So what to do when a bear decides to eat you? Fight back with everything you've got. Experts advise aiming for the head and face. Playing dead is not an option; that is exactly what the bear is after!

Identify a grizzly by its shoulder hump

Black bear, no shoulder hump

The Defensive Bear Attack / Charge

My experience when the grizzly bear sow charged me falls under the cateagory of defensive attack (or more commonly, defensive charge). Typically associated with brown (or grizzly) bears, the bear charges to defend something. That "something" can be the bear's personal space, cub(s), or food.

Once you realize that the grizzly bear is not just bluff charging you but makes physical contact, the tried and true answer is to play dead. The grizzly bear is trying to assert dominance, it is recommended to let the attack occur, submit, and take the injuries! Once the bear realizes that you are no longer a threat, it will leave you and return to what it is trying to defend. It is not uncommon for the bear to come back to make sure that you indeed are no longer a threat, so it's recommended to play dead for as long as it takes for the bear to leave the area.

THIS GRIZZLY IN ALASKA PREFERRED BERRIES TO SALMON - FOR THIS MONET AT LEAST. IMAGE: ©JORN VANGOIDTSENGOVEN,

Tips for Visiting Bear Country from Jason Wilmot, NFS Wildlife Biologist

When you see a bear, do not run. Stand your ground and back away slowly. Do not panic.
Hiking with partners and in groups significantly reduces the probability of an attack. [Note from Jorn: Based on a different source, there hasn't been a documented case of a bear attack on a group of four or more people.]
Make noise to announce your presence. Reduce the element of surprise.
If you see fresh bear signs, such as scat or prints, be alert. Have your bear spray handy. Make noise.
The worst thing you can do is surprise a grizzly bear at close range.
Grizzly bears are usually defending space, cubs, or food. A defensive attack is not one you fight; it is about the bear asserting dominance.
Never approach a carcass in grizzly bear country.
You will always lose a game of dominance with a grizzly bear.
Carry bear spray, have it accessible at a moment's notice, and know how to use it.
When hiking with a dog, keep the dog on a leash. Bears tend to see an off-leash dog as a competitor for its food or a threat to its cub.
Further Reading from Jason: The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee and Bear Safety, NPS

Jason's Evaluation of My Grizzly Bear Encounter

So how did I do according to Jason?

When Jason learned the details about my encounter, he confirmed that the encounter could have ended differently. The worst thing you can do in grizzly country – which I did – is to surprise the bear. On top of that, the bear was protecting its cub and food source. This triggered two defensive charges from the grizzly sow. Jason thinks that the main reason the bear charged is that I approached the carcass.

Especially during hunting season, Jason notes that carcasses in the forest are a potential problem for the safety of hikers and other hunters. Hunters leave behind gut piles and animal remains, which attract grizzly bears. I was only about 30-yards from a National Forest dirt road when I inadvertently walked up to a carcass hidden in the sagebrush over a ledge. A carcass usually gets eaten within two to three days. When a carcass is left too close to a trail or a place frequented by humans, Jason said that the Forest Service generally closes the area for a few days, relocates the carcass (if no bears are already on it), or even blows up the carcass with explosives!

What I did right:

He did not see me leaving the trail as an issue. Staying on paths/trails is almost irrelevant, as bears can be anywhere at any time.
When the bear charged me, I did not run but backed away slowly. I did not panic.
I had my bear spray ready to discharge.

What I could have done better:

I was hiking solo.
My dog was off-leash. Even though the National Forest has no leash requirement, Jason recommends hiking with your dog on a leash, especially this time of year with carcasses around.
I yelled at the bear. The bear made two defensive charges as the grizzly sow was trying to exert dominance. Jason recommends not yelling at the bear – since grizzly bear can interpret this as attempting to dominate. Instead, stay calm, de-escalate the situation, and try to bring the situation's energy down.
Standing your ground is not the same as trying to be dominant. The recommendation with a grizzly in an attack or charge is to be submissive.

Will There Be Consequences for the Grizzly?

No. The bears acted as expected and completely normal. In a case like this, the Forest Service takes note of where the encounter occurred so they can take relevant measures regarding the carcass.

As I noted, this encounter was caused entirely by me and the mistakes I made. Hopefully, my mistakes can provide a good learning opportunity for others who find themselves in bear country! They did for me.

Do you have a “learning experience” involving a bear? We would love to hear about it in the comments below.