That is one scary thought and which may be on the mind of your kids more then you think. So if you do encounter a bear what should you do? According to an article on how to react to bears you should never run! If the bear is predatory and stalking you as food, the article says you should shout and fight aggressively with any weapon.

If you are going to an area with bears you may also want to consider carrying some type of bear spray.

There may also be times when you want to play dead. According to an article on the mt.gov website, if a grizzly bear attacks during the day, most experts recommend playing dead by curling up in a ball face down. Use your hands and arms to protect the back of your neck and face, and keep your backpack on for added protection. Do not move or make noise until you are sure the bear has left the area.

For more bear safety information here is a webpage that says the best defense is a cool head armed with good knowledge of bear ecology and behavior. This page has a lot of good information including pictures and how to tell what kind of bear you are dealing with.

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