Exit Strategy or Escape Route
I went on a hike up in the mountains, (no, not that one, Hanging Lake, another one) and as I proceeded along the trail, my friend and I encountered two women watching something that was making a very strange noise. Turns out it was a baby bear about 30 feet away that was stuck in a tree. Eventually it made it way down, and fortunately we did not encounter a protective mamma bear.
I was fairly preoccupied and didn’t think too much about it, until we reached our destination and were heading back down the trail, when I asked my friend, “Do you know what to do if we encounter a bear?” (I did not!) It turns out, neither did she. We cautiously returned to the car, and of course promptly googled what to do if you encounter a bear! It made me remember that whether you are meeting a bear, or running a business, you need an exit strategy or escape route.
For inquiring minds that want to know:
IF YOU MEET A BEAR, STAY CALM
- NEVER RUN. Running can make a bear chase you.
- Keep your distance. Back slowly away facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact.
- Slowly and calmly leave the area. Talk aloud so the bear will become aware of you.
- Be extra careful around a female with cubs. Never approach a cub.
- NEVER throw food to distract a bear. This teaches a bear to approach people for food.
- Fight back if attacked. Black bears have been driven away when people fight with rocks, sticks, binoculars, or even bare hands.
- DON’T LITTER Please dispose of all litter in bear-proof trash cans when you are in bear habitat. Remove it from the area if trash cans are full. Your consideration could save a bear’s life!
- Report Sightings – follow the link under Black Bears and Mountain Lions or call 303-441-3440. This helps us keep both you and the bear safe. Call 911 if it’s an emergency.