Don’t run away. Make the bear aware of your presence speaking in an assertive voice,
clap your hands, wave your arms above your head to try to make yourself look bigger
and make a lot of noise.
Back up and slowly walk away.
Keep children nearby.
Keep pets locked up.
Don’t approach a bear.
Never surround or corner a bear.
If you happen to meet a bear at close range, back away slowly and make lots of noise.
Never feed bears or any wild animals, even if they look hungry or tame.
Take extra precautions not to feed bears accidentally —bears are attracted to garbage,
food scraps, pet food and many other forms of human food. Keep such foods locked
away from bears in strong, safe places. Keep your trash secure (in your garage
or a shed is best).
Bears that wander into a residential area are sometimes frightened by dogs or residents
and climb trees. Keep people away from the scene and the bear will come down and
leave when it no longer feels threatened (often after dark).
This is the male bear seen eating trash at Lake Margaret!