Scare the Bear
Why and How to Safely Haze a Bear
Bears typically avoid people whenever possible, but easy access to garbage, bird seed, pet food and other food sources can attract bears.
Scaring the bear can temporarily stop unwanted behavior and give you time to remove or secure attractants.
BearWise® Hazing Rules
#1 – Never approach, corner or chase the bear.
#2 – Stand in a safe place (bring kids and dogs inside).
#3 – Be sure the bear has an escape route, away from you.
#4 – Stop hazing when the bear runs away or climbs a tree.
#5 – If the bear approaches, do not run. Use bear spray.
#6 – Be careful. Any hazing is done at your own risk.
Safe Ways to Scare a Bear
Assert Your Dominance
Make eye contact with the bear. Wave your arms above your head to look bigger.
Make Noise
Blow a whistle, air horn or car horn. Clap your hands. Bang pots. Yell, shout, talk loudly…your voice is a powerful deterrent.
Shoot Paintballs
(Where Legal) Aim at the rear end of the bear, NOT the head. Never use bird shot, rock salt or BB guns; you can cause injury or death. Avoid red paintballs; someone may think the bear is injured.
Use Motion-Activated Devices
Motion-activated lights, alarms and/or water sprinklers may temporarily deter bears.
When to Scare a Bear
YES – If the bear is anywhere it should not be, such as eating garbage, bird seed or pet food; near a vehicle, building or chicken coop; in a garden or campground.
- NO – If hazing the bear would chase it into people, dogs, a busy road or another unsafe situation.
- NO – If the bear is in a natural area where bears belong.
- NO – If the bear is running away or up a tree.
- NO – If the bear is a cub. You could easily injure the cub and cause the mother to react defensively.
When to Call the Wildlife Agency
- The bear is highly agitated, sickly or injured.
- The bear is approaching people.
- The bear does not leave after hazing.
Be BearWise
Keep Bears from Coming Back
