Wildlife Encounters

When to use this

Brief every member of your group before the trip — not during the encounter.

• Any trip in bear country (most of the US West and much of the South)
• Trips with kids who need a pre-trip briefing
• Hikers moving into less-traveled wilderness

What you need

• Bear spray (in bear country — worn on your hip, not buried in your pack)
• Awareness of the wildlife in your specific area

Step by step

1. 1.Black bear — surprise encounter: make yourself large, speak in a firm, calm voice, back away slowly. Never run. If it bluffs charges, hold your ground. If it makes contact, fight back — hit the nose and eyes.
2. 2.Grizzly bear — surprise encounter: do not run. If attacked, play dead: face down, hands laced over the back of your neck, legs spread to make it hard to flip you. Stay still even if it leaves — grizzlies return to check.
3. 3.Mountain lion: maintain eye contact, make yourself look large (raise your arms, open your jacket). Back away slowly. If it attacks, fight back aggressively — protect your neck.
4. 4.Coyote: make noise, throw rocks or sticks in its direction (not at it). A coyote at camp is likely food-conditioned. Secure food, do not feed, report to rangers.
5. 5.Snake: give it 6 feet of space and go around it. Bites happen from stepping on, picking up, or surprising a snake. If bitten: keep the bite area below heart level, do not cut or suck the wound, get to a hospital. Note the snake's appearance for the doctor.
6. 6.Universal: food storage prevents most encounters. Animals at camp are food-seeking, not predatory. Remove the food access and most encounters don't happen.

Pro tips

• Bear spray is more effective than a firearm for defensive use against bears — it has a 30-foot cloud, while a firearm requires perfect aim under extreme stress.
• Make noise on the trail in thick brush: clap, talk loudly, or use a bear bell. Surprise encounters are the most dangerous kind.

Common mistakes

• Running from a black bear. Running triggers pursuit instinct. Stand your ground and be loud.
• Playing dead from a black bear attack. Play dead for grizzlies; fight back for black bears. The species distinction matters.

Analog companion

Prefer the full landing page first? See the bear bag & food storage card.

Continue learning

• Safety & First Aid

  Food Storage and Bear Bags

  The rule is simple: zero food in the tent, ever.

• Safety & First Aid

  Common Camp Injuries

  Burns, cuts, blisters, ticks — what to do, in order.