Two years ago I approached a large rocky area I couldn't see around so I loudly said "Delicious human coming thru Smokey!" About 10 seconds later around the corner was a park ranger leading a small group hike who smiled and said "Delicious, huh?" All I could say was "It worked didn't it?" I ran into her the next day at a visitor center and we had a good laugh about it.
I watched this video before going to bed last night and happened to have my first bear encounter ever while out for my run this morning. Black bear with two cubs. I was able to just talk to them until they went away and I turned around and took a different trail home. It's great to be very refreshed on what to do in the event you run into a bear. Thanks for the video.
Even if the italian bears are very shy and calm (not so easy to see), that's a very good video. Here in North Italy the most dangerous encounter you can have is meeting sheperd dogs that look after the livestock. Pyrenees and Maremmano sheepdogs can be a massive problem. At least we have no bear attacks 😊
Thank you so much for this Jeff:) We’re not used to this in the UK (!) and we’re running the Yukon River trail half in a couple of weeks so might need it from what we’ve been told………. Excellent and clear advice thank you xxxxx
Thanks for the awesome video Jeff! This summer we were camping as a family in the Sierra. We religiously stuffed every bit of food, toothpaste, trash etc (including our cooler) into the provided (somewhat small) bear box. Apparently not everyone did so. On our third night a (presumably black) bear walked right through our campsite while my husband was reading by the fire. There was a lot of barking and noise making from other campsites to scare it off. When we ran into some other campers on a hike the next morning it turned out the bear had come back and gotten into several coolers that were not inside the bear boxes. The campers seemed a little surprised...
Thanks! Bear safety while camping is a whole other matter. I’m still researching options around bear bags vs canisters, but I do plan on making video about that soon as well.
Great tips. I am always confused with fighting back vs. playing dead. During Fat Dog I played my music on my phone speakers and constantly sang with the music!
This is so awesome Jeff! Im so happy you took on this project. A video like this was well past due especially with more people getting outside in the trails. Thanks so so so much!
Thanks Jay! This was a topic I’ve been meaning to brush up on myself, and they say the best way to learn is to teach. I learned a lot myself in researching this one.
Thanks Jeff. Very useful info. Used it this morning and 2 cubs and their mother (black bears) come out of the berry bushes in Gatineau Park. Just far away for me to retreat safely. For yr consideration: weekly videos could include one of yr "Hey bear!" shout from time to time; to remind viewers.
Great educational video Jeff! I encountered black bears a couple of times while hiking but never while trail running... and after seeing the bear sighting signs around Lynn Headwaters last weekend I was actually wondering what I could do differently while running in dense forest. Hopefully, a lot of non-trail-runner people will watch this video too as it's always scary to see people (especially if they are alone) out there without even a tiny backpack and certainly no bear/wilderness education. I will make sure to check the book out too! 🍻
Great video! I’m down in WA and most likely won’t ever encounter a grizzly but I’m sure will cross paths with a black bear someday. This advice will help a ton! Have you considered doing a similar video on cougars?
Thanks Bernard! That’s not a bad idea, although the general consensus seems to be that cougars pose very little risk to adults aside from very rare and specific circumstances. They can be territorial, but if you see a cougar it’s because they want you to.
Terrible advice only: - always carry a steak for a bear decoy - always run with a friend slower than you - have a bear at home to wrestle with so you’re ready - carry a hand grenade in your hydration pack - run as fast as Killian and Jim so the bears can’t keep up
That was really interesting & informative Jeff. As someone that lives in Scotland, Bears thankfully are never an issue, I think it'd take me a while to get used to the threat I may encounter one, but your video looked like sound advise 👍🏃
The one area where I might differ is in dealing with extremely rare predatory attacks by grizzlies. My understanding is that they will frequently cover the kill and come back later if they think you are dead, so continuing to play dead is effective. Trying to fight off a grizzly - I think that would be like trying to fight off a tank with bare hands… some of the coastal grizzlies I’ve encountered were truly enormous.
Great video thank you. As we head into summer out here in Alberta I can't wait to get back into the mountains but there is always that feeling.....you all know the one:) I carry bear spray, an air horn and...as a last resort a fairly large knife when running in bear country. I just.....do not ever want to see a bear:) Pictures are fine for me!
Seen plenty of black bear butts here in Minnesota. They take off into the woods as soon as they hear you, unless, you know, you’ve smothered yourself in blueberries.
Good tips! If a Grizzy is approaching you to attack should you use bear spray or just play dead? I was confused at that part. I would assume when its close you use the bear spray and if that doesn't work play dead?
Thanks! I plan on making a followup that goes into more detail on using spray, but the idea is that playing dead is a last resort. If you do it too soon, a bear may attack you thinking you’re prey when it wouldn’t have otherwise. So you only drop to the ground at the moment of attack.
If you're traveling in grizzly territory, you should definitely take extra precautions, including carrying bear spray. But in black bear territory, I wouldn't worry too much - just make some noises and stay aware of your surroundings. Have a good visit!
I was under the impression that the squirrel defense is a legitimate tactic as well which I can find no reference to support my claims at the moment. Squirrel defense as I recall was to place a tree in between you and the bear / moose and circle until it loses interest...or you trip I suppose. But I can simply not imagine being face to face with either that close as you dance around a tree. This sounds like I am joking but I remember reading this as a legitimate (last resort) option.
You’re right, it’s a good idea to try to put something in between you and a bear like a large rock or tree. The challenge is that you also don’t want to ‘run away’ in order to get behind a tree, and obstacles can also impede your ability to discharge bear spray.
Want to move to the Canadian Rockies and will have to get used to running in grizzly country... do most people run in groups, or should i just carry bear spray and get over it? (id like to run in a group, but sometimes that's not possible)
I’d recommend both whenever possible - carry spray but run with a friend when you can. If alone, just be sure to stay aware of your surroundings and don’t wear headphones.
Get the book 'Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance' by Stephen Herrero: geni.us/3mBVyk
Two years ago I approached a large rocky area I couldn't see around so I loudly said "Delicious human coming thru Smokey!" About 10 seconds later around the corner was a park ranger leading a small group hike who smiled and said "Delicious, huh?" All I could say was "It worked didn't it?" I ran into her the next day at a visitor center and we had a good laugh about it.
I watched this video before going to bed last night and happened to have my first bear encounter ever while out for my run this morning. Black bear with two cubs. I was able to just talk to them until they went away and I turned around and took a different trail home. It's great to be very refreshed on what to do in the event you run into a bear. Thanks for the video.
Even if the italian bears are very shy and calm (not so easy to see), that's a very good video. Here in North Italy the most dangerous encounter you can have is meeting sheperd dogs that look after the livestock. Pyrenees and Maremmano sheepdogs can be a massive problem. At least we have no bear attacks 😊
Thank you so much for this Jeff:) We’re not used to this in the UK (!) and we’re running the Yukon River trail half in a couple of weeks so might need it from what we’ve been told………. Excellent and clear advice thank you xxxxx
Thanks for the awesome video Jeff! This summer we were camping as a family in the Sierra. We religiously stuffed every bit of food, toothpaste, trash etc (including our cooler) into the provided (somewhat small) bear box. Apparently not everyone did so. On our third night a (presumably black) bear walked right through our campsite while my husband was reading by the fire. There was a lot of barking and noise making from other campsites to scare it off. When we ran into some other campers on a hike the next morning it turned out the bear had come back and gotten into several coolers that were not inside the bear boxes. The campers seemed a little surprised...
Thanks! Bear safety while camping is a whole other matter. I’m still researching options around bear bags vs canisters, but I do plan on making video about that soon as well.
Beautifully filmed and narrated video!
Perfect video, that sums up everything you need to know about beeing outdoors in bear country. Thanks a lot ;)
Thanks Peter! Glad you found it helpful.
Great tips. I am always confused with fighting back vs. playing dead. During Fat Dog I played my music on my phone speakers and constantly sang with the music!
I often play podcasts on my phone when I'm alone. Great way to imitate human voices without having to talk to myself 😅
Good way to scare off all the other wildlife though.
Excellent informative video, we live in backcountry and this is all sound advice for people out amongst them in backcountry
This is so awesome Jeff! Im so happy you took on this project. A video like this was well past due especially with more people getting outside in the trails. Thanks so so so much!
Thanks Jay! This was a topic I’ve been meaning to brush up on myself, and they say the best way to learn is to teach. I learned a lot myself in researching this one.
Thanks Jeff. Very useful info. Used it this morning and 2 cubs and their mother (black bears) come out of the berry bushes in Gatineau Park. Just far away for me to retreat safely. For yr consideration: weekly videos could include one of yr "Hey bear!" shout from time to time; to remind viewers.
Excellent video, Jeff. Thanks for taking the time and effort to make it.
Well done video, Jeff!!! Always important to keep bear safety in mind when we are out there. Thanks for the bear info resources!
Thanks Eileen!
Great video with appropriate content. Thanks for the research and for putting this out there.
Thanks for an excellent presentation, Jeff
Great educational video Jeff! I encountered black bears a couple of times while hiking but never while trail running... and after seeing the bear sighting signs around Lynn Headwaters last weekend I was actually wondering what I could do differently while running in dense forest.
Hopefully, a lot of non-trail-runner people will watch this video too as it's always scary to see people (especially if they are alone) out there without even a tiny backpack and certainly no bear/wilderness education.
I will make sure to check the book out too! 🍻
Thanks Bruno! Yea, I can’t recommend the book highly enough - really interesting read.
Great timing for this topic, excellent video as always! Thanks Jeff
Great video! I’m down in WA and most likely won’t ever encounter a grizzly but I’m sure will cross paths with a black bear someday. This advice will help a ton!
Have you considered doing a similar video on cougars?
Thanks Bernard! That’s not a bad idea, although the general consensus seems to be that cougars pose very little risk to adults aside from very rare and specific circumstances. They can be territorial, but if you see a cougar it’s because they want you to.
It’s all those cougars who don’t want me to see them that freak me out! 😂
Terrible advice only:
- always carry a steak for a bear decoy
- always run with a friend slower than you
- have a bear at home to wrestle with so you’re ready
- carry a hand grenade in your hydration pack
- run as fast as Killian and Jim so the bears can’t keep up
😂
🤣
Gee, I always thought you had to carry a pot of honey for a decoy.
That was really interesting & informative Jeff. As someone that lives in Scotland, Bears thankfully are never an issue, I think it'd take me a while to get used to the threat I may encounter one, but your video looked like sound advise 👍🏃
Really informative and well presented. I appreciated the research and not just an opinion piece.
The one area where I might differ is in dealing with extremely rare predatory attacks by grizzlies. My understanding is that they will frequently cover the kill and come back later if they think you are dead, so continuing to play dead is effective. Trying to fight off a grizzly - I think that would be like trying to fight off a tank with bare hands… some of the coastal grizzlies I’ve encountered were truly enormous.
Oh yes, and don’t expect bear spray to be effective beyond 2.5 meters or so, and be careful about using it if facing into the wind.
This was very well done.
Thank you 🙏
Thank you this was very helpful!
NZ crew checking in
I thouroughly enjoyed the video and I live in a country without any bears and I don't hike. Dammit, Jeff! How do you do that?
Hah, that was my goal! To make something that’s both informative and entertaining 😁
Great video and tips! Thank you!
Thanks Chad!
Great video thank you. As we head into summer out here in Alberta I can't wait to get back into the mountains but there is always that feeling.....you all know the one:) I carry bear spray, an air horn and...as a last resort a fairly large knife when running in bear country. I just.....do not ever want to see a bear:) Pictures are fine for me!
Very interesting and useful video! Good channel, i subscribed, see you..
Seen plenty of black bear butts here in Minnesota. They take off into the woods as soon as they hear you, unless, you know, you’ve smothered yourself in blueberries.
Good tips! If a Grizzy is approaching you to attack should you use bear spray or just play dead? I was confused at that part. I would assume when its close you use the bear spray and if that doesn't work play dead?
Thanks! I plan on making a followup that goes into more detail on using spray, but the idea is that playing dead is a last resort. If you do it too soon, a bear may attack you thinking you’re prey when it wouldn’t have otherwise. So you only drop to the ground at the moment of attack.
I am the oddest and loudest solo runner.
Im going to BC next month, not sure I feel like hiking alone in bear territory.
If you're traveling in grizzly territory, you should definitely take extra precautions, including carrying bear spray. But in black bear territory, I wouldn't worry too much - just make some noises and stay aware of your surroundings. Have a good visit!
I was under the impression that the squirrel defense is a legitimate tactic as well which I can find no reference to support my claims at the moment. Squirrel defense as I recall was to place a tree in between you and the bear / moose and circle until it loses interest...or you trip I suppose. But I can simply not imagine being face to face with either that close as you dance around a tree. This sounds like I am joking but I remember reading this as a legitimate (last resort) option.
You’re right, it’s a good idea to try to put something in between you and a bear like a large rock or tree. The challenge is that you also don’t want to ‘run away’ in order to get behind a tree, and obstacles can also impede your ability to discharge bear spray.
I’ll stick to my eastern coast thank you. Lol.
😂
I find myself doing a lot of loud fake coughing while I run.
Haber.
Want to move to the Canadian Rockies and will have to get used to running in grizzly country... do most people run in groups, or should i just carry bear spray and get over it? (id like to run in a group, but sometimes that's not possible)
I’d recommend both whenever possible - carry spray but run with a friend when you can. If alone, just be sure to stay aware of your surroundings and don’t wear headphones.
Is it fine to play music on a Bluetooth speaker?
I sometimes will put on a podcast or audiobook. But only when I’m certain I won’t encounter or bother other hikers 😉