As people start heading to National Parks for some fresh air and time in nature, the National Park Service thought it would be a good idea to remind us of how to stay safe in bear country.
Their top tips, including ‘don’t push down your slower friend to save yourself’, are:
If a bear clacks its teeth, sticks out its lips, huffs, woofs, or slaps the ground with its paws, it is warning you that you are too close and are making it nervous. The bear’s nervous? Heed this warning and slowly back away. What else should you do or not do if you come across a bear in Yellowstone?
🐻Do not immediately drop to the ground and “play dead.” Bears can sense overacting.
🐻Do not run, shout, or make sudden movements.
🐻Do not run up and push the bear and do not push a slower friend down…even if you feel the friendship has run its course.
🐻Running may trigger a chase response in the bear and you can’t outrun a bear. Bears in Yellowstone chase down elk calves all the time. You do not want to look like a slow elk calf. (Apologies to the elk calf.)
🐻Slowly putting distance between yourself and the bear may defuse the situation.
🐻Draw your bear spray from the holster, remove the safety tab, and prepare to use it if the bear charges.
🐻In most cases, climbing a tree is a poor decision. Bears can climb trees (especially if there is something up the tree that the bear wants). Also, when was the last time you climbed a tree?
🐻Running to a tree or frantically climbing a tree may provoke a bear to chase you. If the friend you pushed down somehow made it up a tree and is now extending you a hand, there’s a good chance you’re not getting up that tree. Karma’s a bear.
Learn more bear safety tips at https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/bearreact.htm
Do not accidentally spray yourself with the “bear spray” it only builds up the bears spice tolerance! Flamming Hot Camper!
remember to change your underware if you get back to camp
always bring a small dog, worst case, you can get another dog.
“Do Not Push Down Your Slower Friend to Save Yourself”
What is that even supposed to mean?
Who knew that the National Park System had a sense of humor?!
That’s scary, knowing how the bear would react to you while panicking. OMG!
Of course you don’t push down your slower friend.
You push down your faster friend.
M
No, I’m slow and poorly coordinated so I would be the one pushed down.
LOL
Solid PSA
Go home
I am at home