What should campers know about Bears? In North America, there are two main types of bears: the black bear and the Grizzly (brown) bear. Grizzly bears are far more aggressive and dangerous. However, in the lower 48 states, there are only about 1,000 grizzlies. Although bears eat meat, they mostly live on plants, insects and honey. They spend most of their time foraging for food, so if you encounter a bear, he may simply be looking for a handout. If you encounter a bear, the safest thing to do is pretend you are talking to a politician: keep calm, avoid direct eye contact, and speak in a soft monotone voice. If the bear swats at you, play dead by lying flat or curling into a ball. If you have pepper spray, you will find it to be an effective repellent (just as it is with politicians). When you are camping, store all your food, and anything that smells like food, away from your campsite. If you are near your car, keep your food in the trunk, not in the main part of the car. [ Jump to the Harley Hahn Quick Index ] [ Home ] – [ FAQ ] – [ Send a Message to Harley ] [ Books ] – [ Usenet ] – [ Internet Exploration Station ] © All contents Copyright 2023, Harley Hahn Full trademark and copyright information