Tips for traveling in bear country

ANCHORAGE — A basic rule on what to do when encountering a bear in the wilderness is so common, it’s long been a mantra: “If it’s brown, you lie down. If it’s black, you fight back.”

But there’s a caveat for run-ins with brown — or grizzly — bears. The idea is to play dead only after a brown bear has struck or is about to, not before, wildlife biologist Pat Owen said Tuesday, following an attack on a female hiker last week at Alaska’s Denali National Park.

“The right thing to do is not drop until that bear is practically on top of you,” said Owen, who teaches bear safety training at the park.

The woman survived, but the Friday bear attack was among the latest in the U.S. Just days before, a man was killed by a grizzly bear while mountain biking near Montana’s Glacier National Park last week. At least three others have been reported this year.

Bear attacks are rare, although the chances of being injured by one multiply in the backcountry. For example, 45 people were injured by bears at Yellowstone National Park between 1980 and 2014 out of the nearly 100 million visitors to the park during that time.

Some tips to keep in mind when enjoying the outdoors in Bear Country this summer:

The 28-year-old woman attacked at Denali was hiking a trail with two friends Friday evening when they saw the bear. Park officials said the bear charged and the three immediately played dead. The bear bit and scratched the woman before walking away. The animal returned a few minutes later and one of the hikers threw rocks at it. Park officials said later playing dead is appropriate when physical contact has happened or is imminent. But done prematurely, Owen said, the bear can grow curious.

The problem, Owen said, is the definition of imminent. “Your perception of imminent contact and my perception of imminent contact might be vastly different,” she said.

Before the Friday attack at Denali, a large group of park visitors there encountered the same young grizzly. Instead of playing dead, they bunched together, shouting and waving their arms until they scared it off. Park officials say that’s exactly what to do.

It’s a good idea to make a lot of noise when traveling through bear territory to avoid the element of surprise, which is behind a good number of bear maulings. Around Alaska, in fact, it’s not unusual to hear hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts repeatedly calling out, “Hey bear!” Some people clap their hands. Some wear bear bells. The idea is to alert bears and avoid creeping up on them.

Sows with cubs are especially sensitive to the presence of humans, so make sure you’re never between a mama bear and her young, experts said. Brown bears can be especially dangerous in protecting their young, according to Alaska Department of Fish and Game spokesman Ken Marsh. “Brown bears are particularly aggressive,” he said.

Most of the time, nothing is going to happen if people take common precautions, such as traveling in groups, keeping dogs on leashes, carrying bear spray and being aware of their surroundings, notes Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim.

“Gosh, 99.999 percent of the time, nothing is going to happen,” he said Friday. “Most bears want to avoid you.”

Associated Press writer Matt Volz in Helena, Montana, contributed to this report. Follow Rachel D’Oro at https://twitter.com/rdoro.

More in Life

This salad mixes broccoli, carrots and pineapple chunks for a bright, sweet dish. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A bright and sweet Mother’s Day treat

Broccoli, pineapple and carrots are the heart of this flavorful salad.

file
Minister’s Message: Prudence prevents pain, and, possibly, fender benders

Parents carry the responsibility of passing down prudence and wisdom to their children.

This Library of Congress photo shows the U.S.S. Maine, which exploded and sank in the harbor at Havanna, Cuba, about the same time the Kings County Mining Company’s ship, the Agate left Brooklyn for Alaska. The Maine incident prompted the start of the Spanish-American War and complicated the mining company’s attempt to sail around Cape Horn.
Mary Penney and her 1898 Alaska adventure — Part 4

The Penney clan experienced a few weeks fraught with the possibility that Mary might never be returning home.

Students throw brightly hued powder into the air during a color run at Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Color run paints students with kaleidoscope of hues

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science on Saturday gathered parents and students… Continue reading

Artwork by The Art Gaggle is displayed as part of “What We Do” at the Kenai Art Center on Friday, May 2, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Local artists share ‘What We Do’ in May show at Kenai Art Center

An eclectic mix of local art makes up the May show at… Continue reading

People from various faiths stand together at the conclusion of a prayer by the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Heartbeat of Mother Earth Drum group during a National Day of Prayer Celebration hosted by the KPen Interfaith Community at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Celebrating unity and diversity

An array of groups offered prayers and songs at The National Day of Prayer concert in Soldotna.

tease
‘What gives it teeth’

Indigenous author Lily H. Tuzroyluke spoke on her novel and writing process last week at the Homer Public Library.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Donna Shirnberg rehearses”Picnic” at the Kenai Performers Theater near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Small town America grapples with big emotions

Kenai Performers stage playwright William Inge’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Picnic.”

Attendees gather to dance and to listen during a performance by Blackwater Railroad Company, part of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Music Series announces lineup, starts June 4

The Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series will bring performances to Soldotna Creek Park each Wednesday.

Most Read