bears Flashcards
Five signs that a bear has been in the area
Recently overturned rocks, rotted wood that has been torn apart, dug up ground, crushed vegetation, berries on the ground, hair on trees, bear droppings
two species of bears in BC
Black bear and grizzly bear
What are a bear’s keenest senses?
Smell and hearing
Three types of food for bears
Roots, berries, dead animals, mammals, grasses, spawning salmon
How do bears aquire food?
opportunistic feeders. scavenge for dead animals. Will sometimes hunt.
Are bears attracted to or repelled by human voices?
Repelled
What is the mass of an average bear?
Grizzly: 150 to 200 kg
Three ways to distinguish a grizzly bear and a black bear
Black bear: straighter, flatter snout. generally smaller.
Grizzly: hump on shoulders, upturned muzzle (concave) larger and chunkier than black bear. longer claws.
What is the most numerous bear in BC?
Black bear
What kinds of areas to bears need to survive?
Anywhere with enough habitat
What should you do with garbage in the bush?
Pack everything out. either burn it or send it out with a supply vehicle
What precautions should you take to make a camp less attractive to a bear?
either burn your garbage or send it out with a supply vehicle. store food in air tight containers. don’t use perfume or cologne. dispose of period products by burning them or putting them in ziplocks. Don’t set up on the site of previous camp. don’t set up on natural pathways. don’t set up in feeding areas
What kinds of areas to bears need to survive?
Anywhere with enough habitat. Choose habitat that has the most food.
Why do bears enter human campsites?
Smell food, garbage. Searching for food.
What are two things that will attract a bear?
Smell of food and garbage
When should you play dead in a close encounter with a bear?
If you know that it’s acting defensively and is attacking you.
When should you fight a bear?
If it’s acting predatory and attacks you
Should tents be set in a circle or a straight line?
Straight line so the bear has an easy exit and doesn’t get confused if it enters the site
What do bears use as travelling routes?
Rivers, human pathways
What are two effective bear detterents that you can buy?
Electric fences, bear spray
Which species of bear is mostly likely to stalk humans?
Black bear
Where should food be stored?
At least 50 meters away from you in an air tight container or food cache
What is the first thing to determine when you see a bear?
What kind of bear it is
When is it safe to approach a bear in the wild?
Never
What sort of food should you give to non-threatening bears in the wild?
None
What should you do if a bear has noticed you but is a considerable distance away?
Start moving away.
What should you do if a grizzly bear starts to follow you?
Move a piece of equipment in its way to distract it. Drop food if you think it will stop an attack, but otherwise don’t
What should you do if a black bear starts to follow you?
Move a piece of equipment in its way to distract it. Drop a piece of food if you think it will stop an attack. Climb a tree if you can get at least 4 m off the ground.
What should you do if a black bear or small grizzly bear attacks you?
Lie down and play dead. In fetal position. lace fingers behind you and stay in ball. Remain in the ball if it attacks. Only if it is acting defensive. If predatory, then fight it.
What should you do if you surprise a grizzly or black bear in a close confrontation?
if you see carrion, back away. If no carrion, keep calm, don’t look bear in the eye. Wave arms, talk in low tones. Try to give the bear your smell by moving upwind.
What should you do if a large grizzly bear attacks you?
Lie down and play dead. In fetal position. lace fingers behind you and stay in ball. Remain in the ball if it attacks.
What are three things that will help a victim survive a bear attack?
Stay in touch and check in periodically. Stop bleeding asap. Get them medical help
When should you leave a bear attack victim alone?
If you are going to get medical treatment
