Bear safety for hiking in our national parks

When visiting many of our larger scenic national parks you may find that most wildlife has lost its fear of humans.

This is good for wildlife viewing, but not good when hiking and you run into a bear--especially a mama with cubs.

Don't take chances when hiking. Hike with another person or a group, make enough noise (talking, not singing operatic arias) that they can hear you coming--especially when entering places on the trail where you can't see ahead.

If you do encounter a bear, don't run. Back away slowing, do not make eye contact, drop your daypack if it has food in it (you may lose your pack to a hungry bear, but better that then the alternative), and if it does attack (not likely), fight back aggressively.