The first time I went to Yosemite National Park, I knew the reputation for bears in the area, and I was planning to be prepared with a can of bear spray.
I was shocked when I found out that bear spray is illegal in both Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park. But after talking to a park ranger about how to navigate any potential bear encounters, I felt confident going into the backcountry without bear spray.
Read on to find out why bear spray is illegal and how to navigate bear encounters.
Why is bear spray banned in these parks?
According to the parks, bear spray isn’t needed because there are only black bears and no grizzlies. Black bears can be deterred by yelling loudly and showing aggressive behavior. Grizzlies are more territorial and carrying bear spray in parks like Yellowstone and Glacier is still highly encouraged.
Additionally, bear spray is classified as a weapon under the Code of Federal Regulations. The possession, use or discharge of pepper spray, pellet guns and BB guns is also prohibited.
How likely is a bear encounter?
There are about 35,000 black bears in California, and Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon have hundreds of black bears within park boundaries.
The name “black” bear is misleading, as the bears might be black, brown, cinnamon or even blonde in color. Regardless of color, none of the bears you’ll encounter in California will be grizzlies, as the last one was seen in 1924.
While encountering a bear is definitely a possibility, it’s not a guarantee.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon’s official website says that bears are often found in locations that serve as food sources at that time of year. So in spring, bears are in meadows digging up grasses and roots or in the forest ripping apart logs for the insects inside. As berries ripen in summer, bears can be found near manzanita and bitter-cherry bushes. In the fall, you may see bears high in oak trees, consuming vast quantities of acorns.
So how do I stay safe in the parks?
If you do encounter a bear, do not approach it and DO NOT feed it.
If you encounter a bear in an undeveloped area, the parks recommend giving the bear plenty of space and remaining at least 50 yards away. Count yourself lucky for an amazing wildlife viewing opportunity, but remain aware of whether the bear changes its behavior because of your presence. Ensure you never get between a sow and her cubs and don’t linger too long in the area.
If you’re in a developed area or campground, it’s encouraged to raise your arms and make loud noises to drive the bear away. You and your group should stick close together and yell or bang pots and pans to scare the bear. Often, rangers are close by to help keep visitors safe.
There is a common phrase that goes “A fed bear is a dead bear.” When a bear discovers humans are a source of food, it will become more curious and even aggressive, which might lead to the bear needing to be killed. The fine for feeding a bear in Yosemite is $5,000. Be sure to know how to properly store your food against bears in the parks.
Parks provide guidelines to visitors to help “keep bears wild.” This includes making bears feel unwelcome in areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas and buildings so they don’t get habituated to people or human food.
What if a bear charges me?
If a bear huffs at you and shows its profile, it may be preparing to bluff charge. The parks recommend you stand your ground or back away slowly. Do not run, as that can trigger a bear’s predator instinct. Bluff charges are generally meant to intimidate you, and rarely result in contact. There have only been 15 bear attacks in Yosemite since the 1980s.
No one has been killed or seriously injured by black bears in the parks. Predatory attacks by black bears are very rare and have never occurred in these parks, but you should always be prepared.
Black bears may “bluff charge” when encountered. If that does happen, it’s recommended that you:
- Look big, raise your arms, stand your ground. and yell loudly at the bear to “Back off!”
- When the bear backs away, you back away, too. The bear may be guarding food or cubs and view you as a threat.
- If a bluff charge becomes a real charge and a bear makes bodily contact, first tuck into a ball face down with your hands clasped over your neck.
- If the bear does not immediately back off and continues in its attack, fight back hard using your fists, rocks, or whatever you have available. A prolonged attack after a bluff charge indicates that the bear views you as prey and you should defend yourself appropriately.
Although the idea of a bear encounter can be intimidating and even frightening, remember that there have been zero bear fatalities in either of the parks. As long as you follow guidelines, the odds of an aggressive bear encounter are low. Be bear aware in the parks and enjoy your experience in nature!
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