North through British Columbia - Alaska and Points North: Tips and Tales from the Road - page 72

Meeting a Bear
There is no guaranteed formula for interacting with a bear - every encounter is unique. But
these are some guidelines that I found in bear safety brochures distributed at tourism cen-
ters:
 If the bear is in the distance walk quietly back or make a wide detour.
 Watch for cubs - never come between a mother and her cubs.
 If a bears sees you it will usually move away itself so make sure you have not
cut off their exit.
 If a bear sees you and does not voluntarily move off, identify yourself as a hu-
man being by talking in low tones and slowly waving your arms.
 If the bear feels threatened, it may try to scare you off by: huffing, panting, hiss-
ing, or growling; staring at you, sometimes with lowered head or ears laid back;
slapping one or both feet on the ground; jawpopping
 In a close encounter, stand quietly, make no sudden movements and avoid direct
eye contact.
 Back away slowly.
 If the bear charges, remember that many charges are bluffs and the bear will
veer away.
 If the bear attacks and it is a grizzly, play dead.
 If the bear attacks and it is a black bear fight back with whatever you have.
Bears that Stalk Humans