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We’ve covered bear safety extensively here at Guide Outdoors, but I think it might be time for a refresher course.
Because today’s video is the perfect example of what NOT to do.
This guide gets too caught up in taking cool video and forgets to announce his presence to the nearby mama bear. The face that she has her cubs with her makes her exponentially more dangerous.
It almost goes horribly wrong.
Close call with mama bear – submitted by one of our favorite Canadian Fishing guides! 😳😳😳 via Zack Brown (@fecalfishingguide) at bit.ly/fecalfishingguide – Thanks, Zack!! Posted to the Fishing Channel at www.thrillon.com/fishing
Posted by Thrill On on Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Mama bear is clearly surprised by the guide’s presence, and nearly charges him. Needless to say, that would’ve been a disaster.
It’s hard to tell exactly what happens because the guide drops the camera…but either way, he waited way too long.
So let’s go over some rules:
– The closer you are to the bear when it becomes aware of you, the more likely it is to react defensively: it may pop its jaws or swat the ground with its front paw while blowing and snorting, and/or it may lunge or “bluff charge” toward you in an attempt to get you to leave. Or, it might just attack.
– In any event, talk to the bear in a firm voice. Get out of its way if you can, which may be all it wants.
– Back away slowly, preferably in the direction you came. Walk, don’t run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it will react.
These rules all would’ve helped to make this encounter safer.