Northwest Hiker Presents Encountering a Bear in the wild (Courtesy of Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife) Keep calm and know your options. Your next move can make all the difference. Try to gauge the bear’s reaction to you before deciding what to do. A calm bear may only be curious, an agitated, drooling bear may be about to charge. Avoid direct eye contact and speak in a soft, monotone voice. If in a group, stay together. Never turn your back, and never run from a bear, back away slowly. If a bear charges, stand your ground. Bears often bluff charge several times before leaving. If the bear makes contact, play dead. Curl into a ball or lie flat, covering your neck with your hands and arms. If you have a backpack, leave it on for added protection. If a bear swats you, roll with it. Stay face down, do not move, and do not look or make a sound until you believe it is gone. Many people have survived bear attacks using this method. Shooting a charging bear is very difficult and the bear often lives long enough to maul the shooter. A wounded bear can be very dangerous. Bear pepper spray has been effective in deterring a charging bear.