There are an estimated 300 grizzly bears that reside within the 1,600 square miles of Glacier National Park and anyone hiking it’s 700+ miles of trails should familiarize themselves with basic bear safety protocol’s needed to ensure a safe visit and that includes bear spray training.
Grizzlies typically avoid areas known for human activity but encounters can and do happen like this one at the Granite Park backcountry campground just off the Highline Trail. This father and son had just set down their gear when a pair of curious grizzlies entered the area and approached their position.
The family unit maintained their composure as the father gathered his backpack with bear spray drawn and at the ready. Thankfully the grizzlies ran away fled without the needing a blast of high concentration aerosolized capsaicin and the encounter ended peacefully.
Studies have shown bear spray to be a remarkably effective deterrent. Between 1996 and 2006, bear spray showed a 90% effectiveness across 40 incidents (excluding those in which the spray was misused). Consider purchasing or renting bear spray before entering Glacier National Park’s backcountry and learn more about bear safety below.
Glacier National Park Bear Encounter Safety Guidelines:
If you encounter a bear inside the minimum recommended safe distance (100 yards), you can decrease your risk by following these guidelines:
- If a bear or other animal is moving in your direction on a trail, get out of its way and let it pass.
- If you can move away, do so. If moving away appears to agitate the bear, stop. In general, bears show agitation by swaying their heads, huffing, and clacking their teeth. Lowered head and laid-back ears also indicate aggression. Bears may stand on their hind legs or approach to get a better view, but these actions are not necessarily signs of aggression. The bear may not have identified you as a person and may be unable to smell or hear you from a distance. Help the bear recognize you as a friendly human.
- Talk quietly.
- Do not run! Back away slowly. Stop if it seems to agitate the bear.
- Use your peripheral vision. Bears may interpret direct eye contact as threatening.
- Continue to move away as the situation allows.
- If a bear appears intent on approaching you, your group, or your campsite in a non-defensive manner (not showing signs of agitation), gather your group together, make noise, and try to discourage the bear from further approaching. Prepare to deploy your bear spray. If you are preparing or consuming food, secure it. DO NOT LET THE BEAR GET YOUR FOOD!
- If a bear approaches in a defensive manner (appears agitated and/or charges), stop. Do not run. Talk quietly to the bear. Prepare to deploy your bear spray. If contact appears imminent and you do not have bear spray, protect your chest and abdomen by falling to the ground on your stomach, clasp your hands around the back of your neck, and leave your pack on for protection. If the bear attempts to roll you over, try to stay on your stomach. If the attack is defensive, the bear will leave once it recognizes you are not a threat. If the attack is prolonged, FIGHT BACK!