Because the “Crown of the Continent“, Glacier Nationwide Park acts as a shocking escape into nature. 1,600 sq. miles of unbelievable mountain views, beautiful mountain lakes, and deep forests are unfold all through the park, with 700 miles of trails main hikers from level to level.
Hikers in Glacier are sometimes gifted with sights of the park’s resident wildlife, with sheep, elk, goats, pikas, mountain lions, and bears dwelling all through. No wild animal ought to ever be approached by a daily particular person, however some animals must be given a bit more room than others.
Round 300 grizzly bears reside in Glacier, sometimes avoiding areas recognized for human exercise. However encounters do occur sometimes leaving hikers in precarious conditions like this one:
Grizzly bears in Glacier Nationwide Park must be given at the least 100 yards (300 ft) of area, but when a bear (or any animal) is shifting in direction of you inside that distance on a path you must get out of its approach and let it move, like these folks had been doing. Glacier Nationwide Park recommends shifting away if potential, however stopping if that seems to agitate the animal. If a bear seems to be instantly approaching you, you must group up with others, make noise, and put together to deploy bear spray.
Glacier Nationwide Park Bear Encounter Tips:
When you encounter a bear contained in the minimal advisable protected distance (100 yards; 91 m), you may lower your danger by following these tips:
- If a bear or different animal is shifting in your route on a path, get out of its approach and let it move.
- When you can transfer away, achieve this. If shifting away seems to agitate the bear, cease. Basically, bears present agitation by swaying their heads, huffing, and clacking their enamel. Lowered head and laid-back ears additionally point out aggression. Bears could stand on their hind legs or strategy to get a greater view, however these actions aren’t essentially indicators of aggression. The bear could not have recognized you as an individual and could also be unable to odor or hear you from a distance. Assist the bear acknowledge you as a pleasant human.
- Speak quietly.
- Don’t run! Again away slowly. Cease if it appears to agitate the bear.
- Use your peripheral imaginative and prescient. Bears could interpret direct eye contact as threatening.
- Proceed to maneuver away because the state of affairs permits.
- If a bear seems intent on approaching you, your group, or your campsite in a non-defensive method (not exhibiting indicators of agitation), collect your group collectively, make noise, and attempt to discourage the bear from additional approaching. Put together to deploy your bear spray. In case you are getting ready or consuming meals, safe it. DO NOT LET THE BEAR GET YOUR FOOD!
- If a bear approaches in a defensive method (seems agitated and/or prices), cease. Don’t run. Speak quietly to the bear. Put together to deploy your bear spray. If contact seems imminent and also you shouldn’t have bear spray, shield your chest and stomach by falling to the bottom in your abdomen, clasp your palms across the again of your neck, and go away your pack on for cover. If the bear makes an attempt to roll you over, attempt to keep in your abdomen. If the assault is defensive, the bear will go away as soon as it acknowledges you aren’t a risk. If the assault is extended, FIGHT BACK!
