Bear Safety - Glacier National Park

Park Wildlife Biologist John Waller explains about bear behavior and how to hike and travel safer on the trails in Glacier National Park. Learn why it's not a good idea to walk quietly and how best to react to a surprise encounter with one of the park's largest and most magnificent residents
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[@MrHameedkamran]

and make sure that grizzly also watch the video and knows how to behave... :)

[@ruthwik081]

😂😂😂

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

LoLz

[@chavenord]

Haha, said in jest but more true than this video would make you believe. Bears are individuals and how encounters proceed has as much to do with the nature and mood of that particular bear as to how the human reacts.

[@JohnFunk406]

Say hey bear. The bear says sorry I didn't know it was you Jim. And leaves the area.😀😀😀😀

[@LocationsUnknown]

Say hi to the bear and ask him how his mother is doing!

[@JohnFunk406]

It's too painful for the pair to bring up those memories the Bears mother is on my floor

[@marmarc4203]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@stevebusby6618]

In the late 90's, my wife and I encountered a black bear about 30-50 feet off of a trail to Devil's Kitchen in the Warner Valley area of Lassen Volcanic National Park. We did exactly what was said in this video. We stopped, observed what the bear was doing (searching a log for food) and whether or not it saw us (we don't think so), then slowly backed away while facing the bear until we were far enough away to safely walk away without running. The only thing we did NOT do was to make noise during our walk, mainly because we never expected to see a bear in that area. We did report the sighting to a ranger station.

[@kevinkerwin4118]

*REFASTENS HIS PACK*

[@sol3cito33]

I am wondering what if he says "Hey Crocodile" instead if "Hey Bear"? That would likely put him into danger. Make sure you do address your "noise" to the bears so they know it's for them.

[@lynnfarley7859]

Thanks for that ill stay home - unless i can bring artillery in there-

[@bobbyragolia7170]

Wonder if anyone was actually mauled by a bear while making one of these safety videos

[@parrisprice5892]

I was within feet of a bull moose ,feeding on willow in a culvert ,still i kept most of the truck ,tween me n the moose. . Lotsa bears ,elk ,in that jackson hole area

[@yossarianmnichols9641]

The unanswered question in this video is: How often does the speaker hike alone in the park. The answer will tell you if the risk is acceptable to him. Groups of people talking while they are hiking will never see a bear unless you are hiking in 30 mph winds or along a noisy river or creek. Of course talking does not work if a bear is protecting a carcass. The game is over then.

[@lostagain2992]

"The attack will be over in seconds!". Yep! Then the feast will begin! Bear spray, firearms and prayers!

[@LocationsUnknown]

And if you're with others - the most important sprint of your life! :)

[@lrca5675]

i hope i remember all that!

[@ceruleanc505]

"Does it have big claws?" 😩

[@guineapiglady2841]

Sweet Montana!

[@LocationsUnknown]

If you like our content don't forget to subscribe to Locations Unknown!!!

[@JohnFunk406]

I didn't know Bears understood English are they bilingual do they understand foreign visitors that enter the park and it's great that the bear will say oh it's just Jim have a good day Jim see you at breakfast.

[@chavenord]

Yes, it's unfortunate that the video doesn't explain better that actually bears don't speak English as their first language. Bears actually speak German however many Grizzlies do speak English as well and in Canada they have a minor understanding of French. Hope that clears things up. The video also doesn't explain that nothing is more irritating that going a hike in the wilderness and constantly hearing people shout out because they are afraid of bears. Trust me that bears can hear you trapsing through the bush even if you don't say a word.

[@cosmiccharlie8294]

Bears have also stalked and eaten park visitors.

[@johnshields6852]

A bear may attack you if you think you know how to act. 😉

[@crackerjack6075]

At 4:05 I have limited English. Can I say that in German?

[@frisk151]

Glock 20..... 'nuff said...

[@kolsen6330]

Bear safety. Carry a large caliber handgun, ready to use, in your pocket. Even if its posted No Guns. Better to be judged by 12 than eaten by a bear. When camping in bear country, I also carried a canned boat horn and a hiway flare. I worked at places in Alaska where you kept your rifle next to your tool box and listened for the dogs to start barking.

[@c46236]

Here is the story of someone who did the lay flat on the ground approach with a brown bear: The bear bit him seven time on his skull, bit his arms and fracture his both bones in one forearm, he bit the inside of his legs tearing flesh appart and the main vene in one of the.. Further the bear pulled him of his belt and that cut a long wound on his belly. He was saved by the intervention of one of the mates that fired a gun shoot. He was lucky, normally the bear will aim for the neck and fracture your spinal leaving you paralyse, then slowly starts to eat you alive.

[@themessenger6560]

If bear attacks are so rare while are we constantly hearing reports and attacks against humans

[@ahrzhule]

A Grizzly once tried to take my beef jerky. A few well placed karate chops and a flying jujitsu flip trick had that bear begging for mercy. :-)

[@xavierid]

Glock 20 is one hell of a bear spray!

[@patriciamorris3853]

And that’s my kinda bear spray!!

[@_nick_d]

454 casull

[@chavenord]

Yes, you are correct. The 20 is probably the best choice you can make if you believe a pistol is a good choice for bear protection. The combination of the powerful 10mm round and multiple shots with the virtually infallable Glock 20 is unbeatable in my opinion as well. That being said, unless you are a pro marksman who practices frequently then you better by a 12 gauge defender.

[@xavierid]

Just got a FN 510 way better than the 20! Get 1 @@chavenord

[@marc9752]

What about carrying a flash bang

[@patricktownsend3474]

I wish grizzlies still lived throughout their former range - especially in Southern CA, NM, and CO.

[@kristenrogers8400]

Play dead nahh 30 rounds of .556 7.62 or .308 you have the right to defend yourself when hiking through open country whether it be people or wildlife

[@davidsanderson5466]

play dead and pray out loud to Father YHWH for protection.

[@LocationsUnknown]

Or hope your the fastest one in your hiking party! :)

[@Thinkforyourselves64]

If you pray out loud the bear will surely know you’re not dead

[@ezj8262]

You are allowed to say His name. He even tells us to, in the Old and New Testament.

[@brycenpace]

I mean, you can run. Just don’t be last.

[@albertmcmullen2669]

Is it possible to recite poetry, perhaps a line out of Shakespeare.

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

bear (no pun intended) the following in mind: grizzlies are carnivores and for that very reason are an additional danger beyond what is stated in the video. frequently, grizzly attacks on humans are due to their viewing humans as a meal. grizzlies have frequently attacked, mauled, shredded, and eaten people that were originally asleep in their tents. in the 1980s a grizzly attacked a person while he was standing on the railway station platform at banff canada.

[@chavenord]

Grizzliea are not carnivores; they are omnivores. All bears will eat meat given the opportunity. Grizzlies are just better at hunting prey species than black bears. They definitely will eat a human when they think they can. Just last month a grizzly came into a camp and killed the couple and their dog and that was in Banff also; and yes, it was for the purpose of eating them.

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

@@chavenord wikipedia describes them as of the Order Carnivora..

[@chavenord]

Yes, they are members of the family carnivora as are black bears and polar bears, however, they eat a mixed diet thus they are omnivores and not strict carnivores like the cats for example.@@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568

[@tims4589]

predatory attacks by grizzlies are very uncommon, probably the most uncommon bear encounter you can possibly have. Yes they do happen but are extremely rare. Last one was in Banff in September 2023. Before that it was in 2021 in Ovando, MT, Yellowstone National Park in 2011 and 2010 in Soda Butte campground, Gallatin National Forrest. Most predatory attacks, except for Yellowstone in 2011 have occurred when the victims were in their tents

[@marlanaferro1558]

Bears are so cute.

[@richardvalitalo3670]

And sleeping in a tent?

[@pamelag.00]

When do you use the bear spray?

[@FreeKickz413x]

if the bear charges you and you have spray, use it.

[@prej1741]

I just bought bear spray yesterday

[@ceruleanc505]

@@prej1741 The can I bought says: 'Don't seek out bears to use this spray" Me: 10-4!

[@prej1741]

@@ceruleanc505 the can I bought just got recalled 🤣

[@ceruleanc505]

@@prej1741 No way, what brand

[@RicardoRoams]

He mentioned the physical differences between Grizzlies and Black Bears but he failed to describe any differences in how you should behave if you are attacked by a Grizzly vs. a Black Bear. My understanding is if it's a Grizzly attack, you should play dead. However, if attacked by a Black Bear, you should fight back with all your might with anything at hand. Am I wrong?

[@riverhuntersuk7387]

With Grizzlys and Blacks bears if they activly start attack you you should play dead. If it dont work and they start eating you fight for your life. But always start with low toned voice and backing away. If they false charge you stand ground make yourself seem bigger. But then if it follows through with attack back to whats said above. I myself am now in triple digits of Bear encounters. Most arnt even interested in Humans.

[@RicardoRoams]

@@riverhuntersuk7387 according to the National Park Service website here’s what they recommend. If attacked by a black bear fight back with everything you’ve got. Do not play dead. If attacked by a Grizzly play dead. Do not fight back.

[@riverhuntersuk7387]

@@RicardoRoams I have to disagree as ive been attacked by a Black sow with her cubs. I played dead as i knew she wasnt hunting. She mearly wanted to eliminate me as a threat to her cubs. Soon as she thought i was dead she sniffed me a couple times then walked off with her cubs. Had i have fought bavk in that situation she would have killed me outright.

[@riverhuntersuk7387]

@@RicardoRoams Having said that, i do think if shed of been a grizzly Sow she probably would have turned me into a meal for her cubs regardless of my reactions.

[@RicardoRoams]

@@riverhuntersuk7387 I’m not disputing you. I certainly don’t have your knowledge or experience. I merely quoted what I read on the National Park Service website. Apparently, there is not universal agreement as to what to do in these circumstances.

[@cynthiamgentles6781]

And put a portable electric bear fence around your campsite. There’s one out there weighing only 2.4 lbs and it’s really capable. Passive deterrence for a good night’s sleep.

[@chavenord]

When horses are trained to respect an electric fence it is exactly that, they are trained. A horses natural instinct is to bolt forward when surprised or in fear. The same thing can happen with a bear touching an electric fence for the first time, i.e., it may go forward into the fence and not backwards. I have seen this happen on a hunting trip in the Brooks range in Alaska. We put a two strand electric fence around our cook tent and then left on a walk about for three days. When we came back utter destruction of the fence, the tent and the food. From the way the tent wire was twisted and wrapped around everything it appeared the bear had got caught in the fence and then just went wild thrashing about destroying everything. And even after all that he dragged off a cooler of meat. So just saying an electric fence ain't a bad idea, just don't put all your faith in it. A nice big bear dog is a good idea too when camping.

[@REPR100]

I went there, never saw a bear.

[@entinthetent]

If a grizzly attacks you, if you don’t have beer spray, you’ll just have to grin and bear the encounter. I’ll be here all week.

[@briankocheraabcdt4628]

Beer spray? Domestic or import? Bud, Amstel or Guinness? Does it matter? Can you shake a can of any cheep beer and spray the bear with it?

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

@@briankocheraabcdt4628 as i understand it, apparently most grizzly bears prefer 'Frontier', or, alternatively, and especially if it is an usually hot day, 'Labbatt Black Ice'.

[@marc9752]

I mean if the bear is that pissed off that a puney human who only wants to kill them and take their home, why not use a flash bang device that will make the bear shit himself. What do you have to lose the bear 🐻 is going to ear you anyway.

[@lucianospbahia]

Enjoy the park but don’t forget a good 44 Magnum as a minimum requirement

[@marmarc4203]

I WOULD THINK THAT MAKING NOISE WILL DRAW A BEAR TO YOU??? WHOEVER SAID TO MAKE NOISE AND YELL????

[@pepelepar515]

Grizzlies typically don’t stalk humans. They don’t want that confrontation as we are not menu items for them. Making noise will alert them and they will leave. It’s why bear hunters use bait buckets. If a bear smells you, sees you or hears you it won’t typically get anywhere near you unless you startle it

[@jerrystraka7856]

WRONG!! surprising a bear is the worse thing to do. a surprised bear is an unpredictable bear. if the bears knows you're there, they will probably leave. i spent over 30 years hiking and climbing in Glacier Park. nearly every bear, once seeing me, turned and left. i was bluff charged, but never fully charged in over a thousand miles of trial hiking in Glacier Park......i whistled, sang, and yelled on every one of those miles. it is THE most important thing to do.

[@chavenord]

In your post you mention that when the bears saw you they turned and left, not when they heard you. Making noise on the trail is just an irritant to other hikers and does little to protect you from bears. They know that you are there without you making noise.@@jerrystraka7856

[@cba4389]

I've been in this situation. Under all the stress of the situation, I couldn't remember what he said to do so I charged the bear. That part about bears can run fast is a lie. The bear didn't run at all.

[@briankocheraabcdt4628]

Yeah, right!

[@VK-qe7if]

If you had really charged a bear, you wouldn't be here to tell the story. And also, bears can run very fast.

[@kappy0405]

@@VK-qe7if Nah. 99.999% of the time a black bear will run away.

[@VK-qe7if]

@@kappy0405 Well according to the experts, you're very wrong. But feel free to see you can prove it.

[@kappy0405]

@@VK-qe7if No they don't actually, but believe whatever you want.

[@georgetoma1058]

make sure to stay inside a circle if its a sea bear

[@snorman1911]

😂😂😂

[@richoliver1356]

More interested in themselves than the bear 🐻 so why bother being there jeez

[@Juno_Beach]

Bears are unpredictable and will attack for no reason STOP LISTENING TO THE "PROFESSIONALS"

[@treelover1050]

AM NOT AWARE OF RIFLE OR GUN USE REGULATIONS FOR SELF PROTECTION IN NATIONAL PARKS. I WOULD DO RESEARCH FIRST. IF ALLOWED, I WOULD BRING BOTH WITH ME.

[@LocationsUnknown]

Since its Federal lands as of right now you can carry firearms in a national park. That could all change with the new administration though.

[@prej1741]

I love bears 🐻❤️

[@prej1741]

Thank u for the video I’ll follow it all I don’t want the bears to be put down coz of human stupidity

[@chuckmorton8823]

You must be able to carry a firearm in the state of the National Park. So if you are going to, say Yellowstone, you must comply will all laws of Wyoming, including concealed carry. In other words, if you can possess firearms legally according to the laws of the state in which a park is located, you can generally carry them in that park. A permit is required to carry concealed weapons.

[@palco22]

A hand gun is next to useless unless your using a big heavy gun and you can unpack it bring it up to eye level and handle the huge kick a big gun will give and all this within 60 to 80 feet of a charging grizzly that will take the hits (If you manage to hit him) and he'll be on you before your second or third shoot ! Once he has you down and chewing on tenderloin you then may have time (if you can handle the chewing) for a final head shot. Stay with the bear spray !......if all fails, buy the best pair of running shoes you can buy and bring a friend that can't run as fast !