Arguably the top fear among anyone hiking in Alaska is what to do if they encounter a bear.
A recent encounter in Canada's Banff National Park is a chilling reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife and the need for awareness and preparedness in bear country. The encounter was captured on video and shared widely, sparking a necessary conversation about safety in bear habitats.
In this incident, two grizzlies (one younger and one a bit larger, presumably a mother and cub) appeared on the trail near where a group on a guided hike was walking. The bears then followed the group on the trail for around 20 minutes, remaining within 10 to 20 meters of the group.
The group’s guide, Phoebe Nicholson, reported that the smaller bear even bluffed charged the group at one point (a bluff charge is an act of intimidation by a bear, where the bear will rush towards another bear or person in an attempt to assert dominance).
Fortunately, the incident ended without harm to either the group or the bears. Nicholson was able to keep her group calm and maintain a slow pace, and the bears eventually left the trail.
Encounters with bears are uncommon in Banff, but they are not so uncommon in Alaska, and this incident creates a great segway to discuss bear safety when hiking in bear country. This group demonstrated that bear encounters can be exhilarating when out on the trail – but also frightening if you are unprepared.
Living in Alaska, I’ve had my fair share of bear encounters, and have come away from each encounter wiser and more skilled in bear safety. Here, I’ll share what I’ve learned through years of hiking, camping, and exploring in bear country, so you can be prepared in case you encounter a bear on your trip to Alaska.
Alaska's Bear Population
Alaska is home to the densest population of brown bears in North America. There are an estimated 30,000 brown bears (also known as “grizzlies”) found throughout the state. These are the same types of bears as seen in the Banff video.
Beyond brown bears, Alaska is also home to around 100,000 black bears and 4,000 polar bears (though encounters with polar bears are extremely rare and only occur in the far north). With such numbers, the probability of encountering a bear in Alaska is considerably high, particularly in areas abundant in salmon or berries.
One of the best bear safety practices you can remember when planning a hike in Alaska is to always expect to encounter a bear. This includes all seasons, as not all bears hibernate, and includes all ecosystems, as brown and black bears can be found almost anywhere in the state.
Bear Safety Measures When Hiking in Alaska
The National Park Service provides an excellent guide to help you prepare for hiking in bear country. Some key information for hiking in bear country include:
Always Carry Bear Spray
Much like the guide in the Canadian encounter, it's essential to have bear spray within arm's reach. This potent deterrent can halt an aggressive bear in its tracks and has been proven to be much more effective than a gun. Before you head out, learn how to use the spray and familiarize yourself with how far the spray can deploy. Keep your bear spray easily accessible, such as attached to your pack’s straps or strapped to your waist, and never hike with it in your bag.
In the article, the guide mentions that she is the only one carrying bear spray. If you are hiking in a group, try to ensure that multiple individuals have bear spray and are ready to use it. While bear spray is incredibly effective in deterring bears, sometimes you may need multiple cans or a can may be defective.
Tips for Deploying Bear Spray
Before heading out on your first hike, spend a few minutes practicing deploying your bear spray. This spray has a very limited range, so you won’t be deploying it unless a bear is close. All canisters come with a safety tab that can be easily removed prior to using – only remove this safety tab if you are encountering a bear, as you can easily accidentally deploy it.
If you do need to deploy bear spray, ensure that the bear is downwind of you to avoid spraying yourself. Wait for the bear to be within range and aim for the bear’s nose and eyes. Do not use the spray as a “pre-deterrent”, where you spray the area around you as a way of blocking the bear. The scent can attract a curious bear, so the spray is only meant to be used in a close encounter.
Yield the Way
Bears have the right-of-way, whether it's on a trail or in a river while you're fishing. In the video, we see two bears following hikers on the trail. Like humans, bears will often use trails as their path to get from one point to another. If you are hiking in front of them, they may continuously follow you until they get to their destination, and this behavior can be confused with stalking (when a bear is actively hunting a hiker down a trail).
If you encounter a bear following you on the trail, have your group step completely off the side of the trail and have bear spray readily available. Stay in the open and gather together, making calm but firm noises as the bear comes closer. Most often, a bear will pass by your group to continue on its way, but if it does turn toward your group, deploy the bear spray into the bear’s face. Always give bears ample space on a trail and never walk towards the bear. Give them space and they will give you space.
Never Run
A bear can clock speeds of up to 30 mph, and running can trigger a chase instinct when a bear would’ve normally ignored you. If you encounter a bear, stand your ground, speak in a calm, assertive voice, and give them the trail so that they can pass. It is important that you never run from a bear or turn your back to a bear.
Keep Dogs on a Leash
Bears and dogs are two things that just don’t mix well. Dogs can trigger a bear’s defensive instinct, causing an aggressive reaction that can harm either your dog or yourself. When you’re hiking in bear country, consider always having your dog on a leash or have excellent recall with your dog, to prevent a negative encounter. In rare instances, an unleashed dog has attacked a bear and led a very angry bear back to the dog’s unsuspecting owners.
Proper Food Storage
Food scents are a huge attraction to bears, especially in the spring and late fall. When hiking in bear country, keep your food properly stored in your pack and avoid packing extremely fragrant food (keep the smoked salmon for your after-hike reward). If you are planning on camping, bring a bear-resistant container and keep it away from your tent and campsite. If you do encounter a bear on a trail, immediately pack away all of your food to avoid tempting the bear closer.
Never feed a bear or throw food in a different direction as a way to distract a bear. This causes bears to associate people with food and can result in a problem bear that will have to be put down by authorities.
Hike in a Group
One of the best bear safety tips you can use is to always hike in a group of three or more. The group seen in Banff was large enough to keep the bears deterred, and provides a great example of how a large group can provide extra safety in bear country.
Make Noise
If you are hiking alone, always make noise by either wearing a bear bell or playing music. Startled bears can lash out if they are surprised, so by making noise you can help alert bears to your presence.
Remember, Trails are Bear Highways
Alaska's trails are essentially corridors for wildlife, so it is not uncommon to encounter bears while on our trails. While hiking, always be alert and be ready to encounter a bear. By keeping a calm head and practicing bear safety, you can have an incredible experience and have a great story to bring home.
Remember, if a bear is spotted on your trail, give it plenty of room to pass. Step off the trail, talk to it calmly, and have your bear spray ready. If a bear acts aggressively or continues its approach, be ready to deploy your bear spray.
