What should a hiker do if they encounter a grizzly bear?

If you see a bear before it sees you, slowly and calmly back away from the area and keep an eye on the bear. Never approach a bear that doesn’t see you—it could lead to surprising the bear, which can cause the bear to react. Avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, and at night.

What to do if a bear approaches you on a hike?

If you encounter a bear on the trail, or in your campsite, stop what you are doing and evaluate the situation. Identify yourself by speaking in a calm, appeasing tone. Back away slowly, preferably in the direction you came. Walk, don’t run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it will react.

Is bear spray needed in Washington state?

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife encourages people to keep bear spray accessible when living in rural areas or recreating outdoors. It is widely available in sporting goods stores throughout the state, and online.

Does human urine attract bears?

Yes, Bears Do Seem to Be Attracted to Human Urine It isn’t entirely clear why, but bears do seem to be attracted to human urine. If a bear smells that human urine scent, then it’s likely going to come to check it out if it happens to be nearby.

Where are the most bears in Washington State?

Washington is home to both grizzly bears and black bears. Grizzly bears are rare in Washington, but a small population exists in the Selkirk Mountains of northeast Washington, and their presence has been documented in the Okanogan Highlands and the North Cascades.

Are there grizzly bears near Mount Rainier?

The distribution of confirmed observations ranges from near Mt. Rainier in the south through the northern end of the range. Female grizzly bears have been observed with cubs, so we know some bears find each other to mate.

Are there grizzly bears in the Northwest?

Grizzly bears once occurred in most of Washington, but are now restricted to remote areas of the Selkirk Mountains and certain places near the northern border of Washington between these two ecosystems. Grizzlies have not been documented in the North Cascades since October 2010.