Yosemite National Park is an incredible destination for adventures looking to experience the rugged tranquility of the High Sierra. From the giant monoliths of granite to the deep valleys filled with grand meadows, exploring the 1,200 square miles of Yosemite is festival of natural wonders which has been recognized for its outstanding beauty since 1864 when it was first formally protected.
While the park has been grizzly free since the last known grizzly bear was shot outside the Yosemite region in the early 1920s, there is a healthy population of black bears (approximately 300 to 500) that roam the park. Black bears habituated to human presence has long been an issue at Yosemite and park rangers are trained in hazing tactics to reduce instances of negative encounters:
“Bears that become comfortable around people lose their natural fear of us and sometimes become too aggressive; sometimes they then have to be killed.”
When Yosemite National Park rangers are patrolling public areas and see a bear, they may choose to use non-lethal aversive tactics to chase the bear out of a developed area. If you see a Yosemite Park Ranger carrying a shotgun with a blaze orange stock and pump, rest assured it of the “less lethal” variety and loaded with rubber slugs. Watch these non-lethal aversive tactics in action in the following video as Yosemite park ranger hazes a black bear hanging around a Yosemite picnic area:
In addition to shotguns with rubber slugs, Yosemite park rangers also use noisemakers and paintball guns loaded with clear paintballs to haze bears. To be crystal clear, the intent is not to harm the bear but to scare it from the area and restore its natural fear of people by imprinting a negative association with human contact. Learn more about bear safety at Yosemite National Park below.
Bear in a Developed Area or Approaching You
If a bear approaches you or if you are in a campground, picnic area, parking lot, lodging area, or other developed area, act immediately to scare it away. Scare the bear away by yelling aggressively and as loudly as possible until the bear leaves. The bear is intruding on your personal space: act angry and be persistent. If you are with other people, stand together to present a more intimidating figure, but do not surround the bear. While never a guarantee, these techniques are highly effective when done well. (Bear spray/pepper spray is not allowed in Yosemite.)
If you have food out and are having trouble scaring the bear away, pack up all your food and leave the area. Throwing food at the bear or leaving food behind will only encourage its behavior and likely result in the bear’s death. Never have out more food than you can control and do not leave food out of arm’s reach, even for a moment. (Do not try to take back food that a bear already has.)
The purpose of yelling aggressively is not to harm the bear, but to scare it from the area and restore its natural fear of people by providing a negative experience. Scaring a bear away, along with storing your food properly, helps keeps bears wild and alive.
Keep Wildlife Wild
Respect animals at a distance: never feed or approach them.
- Keep your distance from animals, even if they approach you
- Dispose of trash in animal-proof trash cans or dumpsters
- Keep your food and trash from wildlife by storing it properly, day and night. More information about proper food storage is available.
- Failure to obey regulations may result in a fine of up to $5,000 and/or impoundment of your property.
