what do I do when I'm being chased by a bear?

[Jim in Mo]

wlhoyt, do you believe in God? You better pray since he's got you on the run instead of the other way around.

[MLH]

My answer was confusing - I agree with steve182, lay on stomach, hands behind neck, and play possum with a brown. Fight back a black, same with a cat.

[Dannyjr321]

you dont have to out run the bear just the person you are with

[[email protected]]

Out run your buddy!

[cardo111]

Don't remove your backpack if you have one, it can help protect you. If it is a grizzly, there is no reason to fight it will just make him/her kill you and eat you faster, play dead on your stomach and play dead as others have described. While this is a good method it is not guaranteed an encounter with the wrong grizzly/brown bear will still sometimes result in being killed and eaten alive. Regarding a black bear attack experts now agree; fight for your life unlike grizzlies when these bears attack(though not as often as grizzlies do as a percentage of their total population)it is usually to hunt you and eat you not to size up a threat.

[Jordy]

It depends what kind of bear it is.
-If it's a griz or brown bear, I would reccommend to climb a tree. Make sure that it's a tree that the bear won't be able to push over, and make sure you're at least 12 or more feet up.
-If it's a black bear, lay belly-down on the ground, with your arms over the back of your neck. If it rolls you over, keep rolling until you are on your belly again. If the attack lasts more than 30 to 45 seconds, fight back with whatever you can get your hands on.

[huntfishVA]

you cannot outrun a bear, most bear attacks end when the person stops fighting. You should curl up into a fetal position, protecting your face, and be as still as possible. The odds are the bear is attacking you because you were near its fresh kill, or you were near its cubs. It doesnt want to eat you. When in bear country, occasionally holler out, or wear bells.

[joe123456]

you could do one of 2 things you could use pepper spray, or if you don't have pepper spray at your disposal grab a big stick and start swinging

[ltmssbb]

dpends what kind of bear. if its a brown bear drop and play dead if its a black bear run away or turn around and shoot.thats what i was told by aold wise hunter.

[sskeanderson]

Run faster than your hunting partner....just kidding.
Always wear UDAP Pepper Spray. Pepper spray is very effective and teaches the bears a life lesson. Just like getting sprayed by a skunk when a cub. Many of the rangers and workers in National Parks like Glacier and Yellowstone feel bear quality pepper spray does a great job and conditions the bears to avoid humans.

[Ralph the Rifleman]

Well, 2Poppa, and cardo111- Kudos boys-
They covered most all you can do if encountered by a bear-1st step DON'T PANIC(Easier said then done)-AS A RULE, the drop fetal position for Grizz is recommended..while with Blackies--It's FIGHT with what you have or can grab as a weapon! What I have read from experts(ie people who have been charged by bears) is to NOT RUN,face the bear, not looking directly at it since eye contact is considered a threat, but back away slowly while lifting your arms above your head telling the bear to get otta here! MOST bears will avoid human contact but there are always excepts to the rule!
Prevention is key to avoid contact all together, such as talking loudly or wearing bells on your backpack, let the bears know you are there!
It has been documented in Grizz attacks to climb a tree when charged people have survived...but make sure to not climb a small one(for fear of the bear breaking it!) but also one with low hanging branches cause Grizz WILL climb it,just like a human can-like a ladder!
Statistically speaking, regardless of bear species you have about a 50/50 chance of surviving a bear attack whether fighting back or playing dead; this is a fact based on those who survived bear attacks.
Personally, I would make sure I have a BEAR GUN WHILE IN BEAR COUNTRY!

[huntcamp]

Grizzlies can climb trees if they chose to. But good option anyway, it will stop all but the most determined bear. They do not necessarily need branches either.

[debins33]

It depends on which kind of bear but if its a black bear you make a lot of noise and undo your jacket puff yourself up and try and make yourself look bigger but black bears wont usually attack you unless you surprise them or get near their cubs.If its a grizzly bear the same rules do not apply they are bigger and more aggressive if one charges you get on the ground in the fetal position and stay still and quiet so it thinks your dead and it will eventually leave.

[klug3]

Out run your hunting partner.

[NYhunter]

shoot it right between the eyes,and any thing worth shooting once is worth shooting twice.