Web exclusive: Fact and fiction on bears

Lewis and Clark were among the first to report seeing the "great white bear" about 200 years ago. By that time bear stories were already a favorite of early explorers and trappers, and later these stories appeared in the early correspondence and diaries of pioneers and settlers.

Before Americans had movies and TV to scare them, they had a good tall tale about grizzly bears of the West.

Unfortunately, this love of a good story continues to get in the way of understanding and living with bears.

"While many wild animals, including bears, can be dangerous under the right circumstances, especially if surprised or threatened, bears are normally shy and reclusive creatures," said Kim Annis, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks grizzly bear management specialist in Libby.

Annis said that recent research by FWP in the Cabinet Yaak Ecosystem found that many people who express a fear of bears are unaware of how many people are attacked or killed by grizzlies each year in the lower 48 states.

"Based on the analysis of existing statistics, about three people are killed in bear attacks annually, including polar bears, in North America," Annis said. "In the CYE there have been no known cases of a grizzly injuring a human in the past 35 years."

"When it comes to living with wildlife, knowledge is the best of all defenses," she said.

Since most people don't have the opportunity to observe bears first hand, Annis took on some common myths about bears to set the record straight.

MYTH: Bears are naturally aggressive towards humans.

TRUTH:  Bears are normally shy, aloof animals. They may act aggressively, like many other wild animals, as a last resort if they feel threatened. A bear may act aggressively to defend its space, food or cubs, but bears rarely exhibit predatory behavior toward humans.

MYTH: A bear standing on its hind legs is preparing to charge.

TRUTH:  A bear that is standing on its hind legs is trying to get above the vegetation for a better view, or smell, of something nearby. A bear that is preparing to charge will have all four feet on the ground, its head down and its ears back.

MYTH: If a bear huffs and growls, or slaps the ground, it is about to attack.

TRUTH: A bear that huffs, growls, slaps the ground, salivates, “pops” its jaws, or is using other body postures is communicating to you that it feels threatened. It is trying to scare you away. These threat displays are a bear's way of trying to avoid a confrontation.

MYTH: Once a bear charges, it is attacking.

TRUTH: A bear that is running at you is still gathering information and deciding what to do. The bear may only be “bluffing” and may stop short of reaching you. Or, it may run past you or veer away at the last moment. Bluff charges can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from a real charge, but a bear that is bluffing and only trying to scare you away will usually run with a hopping or bouncing motion with its head up and ears forward.

MYTH: The best way to get away from an aggressive bear is by running.

TRUTH:  Never run from any wild animal, especially bears. Running away may “kick in” the chase instinct that is natural to all predators. Bears are excellent sprinters and can reach speeds of over 25 mph quickly, even going up or down hills. 

MYTH: If you can, you should climb a tree to escape from a grizzly bear.

TRUTH:  Climbing a tree is not a good strategy. Bears, including grizzly bears, can climb trees. Typically if you are able to climb the tree, so can the bear.

MYTH: A gun is always the best defense against a bear.

TRUTH: Bear spray is an EPA regulated product that is specifically designed for use during a bear confrontation. If used correctly, it temporarily affects the bears breathing and sight. Bear spray may help diffuse a potentially dangerous situation by forcing the bear to reassess its options and providing the user time to move out of harms way. Research in Alaska suggests that people who use firearms against bears are more often attacked and severely injured than those who use bear spray during a confrontation with a bear.

MYTH: Bears will defend their territory from other bears.

TRUTH:  Unlike wolves or mountain lions, bears do not have territories and do not actively try and keep other bears out. Bears have what is called a home range—an area they use annually that may shrink or expand from year to year. Bears' home ranges commonly overlap with those of other bears, allowing more than one bear to share an area.

(Diane Tipton is the statewide information officer for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks).