What are 'best practices' for avoiding an encounter if you see a bear in the wild?"Whether it's a grizzly bear or a black bear, don't turn your back. If the animal doesn't see you, you're very fortunate, and you can slowly back away, but always keep your eyes on the animal and stay really focused," Bigney said."You shouldn't run away, because it's obviously going to alert them — and then that's something for them to chase," she added.
But if attacked by a black bear, NPS says you should not play dead and instead fight back, using anything available — unless you can escape to a secure area like a car or building. If a grizzly bear attack continues even if you play dead, NPS says you should"fight back vigorously" with blows focusing on the face. Or if the attack is predatory you should struggle with all you've got."I know people that have fought off grizzlies.