Don’t play dead. Unlike some, these animals will treat you as potential prey. Making yourself seem like you’re not worth the trouble is the best thing to do. Grizzly Bears

In the most advanced testing, bear biologist Tom Smith jingled bear bells in varying volumes in front of brown bears in Katmai National Park. Regardless of how vigorously he shook, 15 different sets of bruins ignored the bells. And yet they snapped at attention the second he broke a pencil in half. This isn’t 100-percent proof that bears don’t respond to bear bells; Katmai bears are known for being relatively non-aggressive. But it means that in this specific case, the bells failed to warn and change my behavior as intended. Cubs are born in late January or early February, and the females (along with these newly born cubs) emerge in late March or early April. Cubs remain with their mothers for about eighteen months, or when she mates again – whichever comes first. Non-lethal: Bear bells provide a non-lethal method of bear deterrence. They are considered a more humane option compared to other bear deterrents, such as pepper spray.While bear bells are commonly used as a method of bear deterrence during outdoor activities, there are alternative options that can also be effective in deterring bears. It’s important to choose a method that aligns with your preferences and the specific circumstances of your outdoor adventure. Here is a paragraph followed by a bullet list of alternatives to bear bells for bear deterrence:

When it comes to hiking or camping in bear country, there are several common misconceptions about the effectiveness of bear bells. Understanding these misconceptions can help you make informed decisions about bear safety. Here is a brief paragraph followed by a bullet list of common misconceptions about bear bells: Shouting “Hey bear,” talking, and singing all work when hiking. Not only does it help pass the time, these sounds don’t occur in nature. So what can we gather from all this? There isn’t any conclusive evidence that bells are effective at repelling bears, nor is there any that they really work, yet. The arguments against bear bells are that they can be annoying for other hikers who are out trying to enjoy some peace and solitude on the trail, and perhaps more importantly, they might disturb other wildlife and scare off animals such as birds that you might quite like to see. But they also might reduce your chances of being charged by a bear by 100%. It’s hard to say.

If the bear follows you: Stop. Keep talking. Keep making yourself look big. The chances are it’s just curious but you should also start preparing yourself for the possibility it may charge. Why You Should Always Carry Bear Spray in Bear Country Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!

Talking/Singing: One the cheapest and easiest bear deterrents is talking or singing while you walk. Bears are thought to associate voices with humans and they often will take cover when they hear you coming. This, of course, might get exhausting though!

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Bear bells are easily found online or in outdoor retailers. Usually, they’re about one inch in diameter and come in a range of bright colors. The kind of bear you need to be afraid of is not feeling threatened by you — it’s testing you out as a possible prey item. It’s quiet. It stalks you just like a lion might stalk you.” A mother bear that is with her cubs will be more defensive and aggressive than any other kind of bear. Therefore, your main priority if you see a mother with a cub should be to get away before she notices you. If she does, employ the techniques we will mention below to get yourself out of the situation as safely as possible. Bear Bells: Do They Work? There isn’t any conclusive evidence that bells are effective at repelling bears, nor is there any that they work, yet (Image credit: Getty) Hikers or bikers should exhibit innocuous behavior, avoiding food giving or aggressive behavior during encounters.

Okay, so this isn’t a bike bell, but the Bear Bell offers a versatile, effective and inexpensive alternative solution. Some people evangelize the use of bear bells, while many others point to different bear-diversion strategies they feel are better at mitigating the risk of being hurt by a bear. Here are a few frequently asked questions about bear bells so you can make a decision about if this bear prevention method is right for you. For starters, for most riders, it may seem like overkill. On top volume it can be so loud that it could unnecessarily startle other road or trail users, and it could even hurt your ears. The theory behind them is correct. In the woods, sounds made by humans aren’t normal, so animals run away from them. But the wrong noises get lost in the mix with wind, leaves, and streams. Even whistles aren’t 100% effective because they’re mistaken for birds or wounded prey.

When the bear is about 40ft from you start to spray your bear spray so that the bear runs into the fog. [Source: udap.com]