DEC Provides Tips on How to Stay Calm and Safe when Faced by a Bear

By Sarah Morgenstern

While terror might strike in the heart of anyone who spots one of the black bears that roam the area, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds humans not to panic when they spot the massive, dark, and furry creatures.

Residents should stay calm, but should use noise to scare bears away, the Clarkstown Police Department is telling residents after several bears were spotted in Rockland County.

Yelling, clapping, and banging pots are all sounds that can cause bears to flee.

When in the presence of bears, people should raise their arms to appear larger, speak in loud, but calm voices, and slowly back away.

Because all animals aggressively defend themselves when they feel threatened, the DEC reminds Rockland County residents to never approach, surround, nor corner bears. 

Unsurprisingly, the bears that might attack the most viciously are mother bears that are protecting their young.

To avoid startling bears, the DEC says that people should never run from bears, which may instinctively respond by chasing those who flee.

In addition, throwing backpacks and bags of food at approaching bears will only encourage them to approach humans and "bully" them to get food. 

People who encourage bears to approach them for food are endangering themselves and others. 

While people are encouraged to walk away slowly from bears, if they charge or follow you, the DEC advises humans to “stand their ground.”

“If you have bear spray, dispense it directly at the bear,” the DEC said. “If bears continue to appear, people should “prepare to fight back with anything at hand: knives, sticks, rocks, and fists.”

Although bears can be a terrifying sight, the DEC reassures residents that bears would prefer to avoid humans, who should always try to avoid conflicts with all creatures large and small.

In addition, while standing on their hind feet bears can look threatening, such postures are not preludes to attacks, says the DEC, which said bears might be standing up merely to survey the scene.

“Bears stand taller so they can get better views and smells of their surroundings,” the DEC said.