What to do in a Bear Encounter (And How to Avoid One) || REI

What to do in a Bear Encounter (And How to Avoid One) || REI

Bears are magnificent creatures and it can be exciting to see one—from an appropriate distance. In this video, we’ll show you how to take the appropriate precautions to avoid bears while hiking and at camp, and even what to do if you do encounter a bear in the wild.

One of the most important things you can do to deter bears from your camp is to store your food properly, so check out our video on food storage here: https://youtu.be/TlF0JlwVYHo

And to learn more on backpacking in bear country, read our article: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-in-bear-country.html ———————————————————————————————————–
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50 Comments

  1. @stardewhillbully on August 13, 2025 at 1:22 pm

    I would like to wear a juggernaut suit like the one from call of duty.

  2. @Big.b1999 on August 13, 2025 at 1:23 pm

    Was about to go camp tomorrow, Idk anymore

  3. @Hawaiian_lightning on August 13, 2025 at 1:23 pm

    LOL!!! I the guy at my local REI highly recommended a bear bell 😂 maybe you should educate your employees a little more.

  4. @Flames_Fan6 on August 13, 2025 at 1:24 pm

    Hey, it’s Miranda

  5. @DanielDWinxGaming on August 13, 2025 at 1:28 pm

    Best to hike midday when bears are less active.

  6. @Mike-jt9cl on August 13, 2025 at 1:29 pm

    yo this woman’s neck

  7. @Bag0Soup1 on August 13, 2025 at 1:30 pm

    1:02 "Just check before you go. Some places don’t allow bear spray."… i hope that was a joke

  8. @profileprofile7028 on August 13, 2025 at 1:35 pm

    She would be nice at night

  9. @ArcadeDreamer-h6z on August 13, 2025 at 1:35 pm

    How to tell the difference between a black bear and a grizzly bear: Clap your hands and make a lot of noise. If it climbs a tree, it’s a black bear. If it eats you, it’s a grizzly bear.

  10. @bushmasters1984 on August 13, 2025 at 1:37 pm

    Remain calm and speak in a calm voice, but make as much noise as possible. Fight back, but play dead. 🙃

  11. @jaymontgomery3330 on August 13, 2025 at 1:38 pm

    What did she say, I was fixated on her body.

  12. @meredithbean1414 on August 13, 2025 at 1:39 pm

    I’m always gonna choose the black bear over the man.

  13. @kevin-hb1ex on August 13, 2025 at 1:40 pm

    watching this in my tent like

  14. @jaymontgomery3330 on August 13, 2025 at 1:43 pm

    Bear Horn is very loud.

  15. @danielcarlson2941 on August 13, 2025 at 1:43 pm

    To tell the difference between bears climb a tree, a black bear will climb up after you grizzly will push the tree over..

  16. @sc5094-m6q on August 13, 2025 at 1:43 pm

    I am sorry but this would happen if you play dead …
    https://youtube.com/shorts/VG5haYDH1gU?si=V1yet68s3tHU_-ii

  17. @burningdust on August 13, 2025 at 1:43 pm

    For how long are you backing away? If you’re in a flat area the bear will have you in plain view for more than a few yards. That’s a long time to be walking backwards!

  18. @elchavinha14 on August 13, 2025 at 1:44 pm

    I found myself face to face with a black bear while I was locked into my phone… when I realized he was so close to me (5 feet away) I gasped and he ran away… that was so scary

  19. @Skyjacker_ on August 13, 2025 at 1:45 pm

    I was hiking in the High Tatras Mountains in Slovakia two days ago and on the way back down the trail by myself at about 18:30 I came within 10ft of a large brown bear. I was looking at the ground, trying to avoid twisting an ankle on the rocks and boulders along the trail, when I noticed some wet animal prints on a rock on the trail. I then looked up and saw the bear in front of me. It was working its jaws and salivating, which I’ve since learned is a sign of stress. It also made no sound.
    I slowly turned and waked back the way I came, which in retrospect I shouldn’t have done, as you’re supposed to back away while keeping the bear in sight.
    Luckily, some more hikers soon came along, also heading down the mountain, and so I told them what had happened and we headed along the path together, making some noise.
    The bear was no longer to be seen.
    I think I was very lucky, as if I hadn’t seen the prints I would have walked right into the bear.

  20. @dmitry7908 on August 13, 2025 at 1:45 pm

    Tell the bear about your half a million dollar college degree and your REI store associate job. The bear will cry and leave you alone. Happy end.

  21. @Steelgonades on August 13, 2025 at 1:46 pm

    Well, this lady wants to play dead after discharging her bear spray? Mine as well get the practice because bear spray only stops a curious bear. A mad or predacious bear can only be stopped by fire power.

  22. @mangosaurusrex3416 on August 13, 2025 at 1:46 pm

    357 magnum 180 grain hard cast

  23. @EllieM_Travels on August 13, 2025 at 1:49 pm

    Black bear will run if you say boo. The ones in our woods were afraid of my five year old.

  24. @zertiboy on August 13, 2025 at 1:50 pm

    Hmm man or bear huh?😂

  25. @air4334 on August 13, 2025 at 1:51 pm

    Thanks !

  26. @bastion426 on August 13, 2025 at 1:53 pm

    sweety, if i start singing, there will be way more chances to be attacked by bear ))

  27. @ashgnome on August 13, 2025 at 1:54 pm

    I understand that we do not turn our backs to bear or run from it, because it can start to chase us. But what if bear turns back to us and runs away do we chase it in return?

  28. @shaneross7428 on August 13, 2025 at 1:55 pm

    I don’t care if the park allows bear spray. Asking forgiveness is better then being eaten

  29. @dw3094 on August 13, 2025 at 1:55 pm

    I cannot see myself playing dead! We only hear about people that played dead and it was successful!

  30. @ess2870 on August 13, 2025 at 1:55 pm

    What her OF? I’d support her Cliff Bar need…

  31. @billbates5475 on August 13, 2025 at 1:56 pm

    Me luv you long time baby.

  32. @ThePatriot-r6n on August 13, 2025 at 1:56 pm

    If you don’t carry a gun in bear country, you’re a tool

  33. @Jdam5 on August 13, 2025 at 1:57 pm

    I dont think u need to put ur food 100 feet away.

  34. @Taylor-Hanson on August 13, 2025 at 1:57 pm

    Miranda looks so young!!

  35. @JamesHarper-v9f on August 13, 2025 at 1:58 pm

    I’m actually the owner of REI.

  36. @YahsChosenSeed on August 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm

    Thank you so much for showing us how to make ourselves easy lunch for the bears 🫡

  37. @Americanrancher7574 on August 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm

    44MAGNUM

  38. @OnTheRoadWithEric on August 13, 2025 at 2:01 pm

    Sounds scary. I don’t I’ll be calm as f when I see a bear

  39. @charlesivie2469 on August 13, 2025 at 2:07 pm

    Typical-Triangle-Set-up, up-wind. Been bluff-charged, hit, by black, face-to-face with Griz, moose & everything-else. Have to be smarter, faster than slowest -preson….

  40. @thebookwaswaybetter2827 on August 13, 2025 at 2:08 pm

    Looks like lena lake

  41. @We_Need_To_Talk_About_Dougie on August 13, 2025 at 2:09 pm

    I have seen a lot of videos on bears and not had advised to use water as a defence because of how well bears swim, but I think it has to have some advantages, especially if you have a paddle. For 1 a bear can’t charge you in the water. The chance of being hit by 400lbs head on and being knocked out instantly is not possible in water. Also you can push at a bear with a paddle to keep distance. Potentially if you fall in you could use the paddle to keep some space. I don’t think that technique would work as well on land

  42. @Jamminmotorking on August 13, 2025 at 2:09 pm

    Why would you not bring a large caliber rifle with you if you know your in bear county? Lol

  43. @baloghbotond4250 on August 13, 2025 at 2:09 pm

    What about brown bears tho?

  44. @Nonyobiz on August 13, 2025 at 2:12 pm

    Finally! Someone who advocates for fighting against black bears.
    Fight back! when logical

  45. @juicyjuiceshooting7812 on August 13, 2025 at 2:13 pm

    Carry a gun…

  46. @metalblanca on August 13, 2025 at 2:14 pm

    What about Koala bears? 🥹

  47. @jardim.cosmico on August 13, 2025 at 2:17 pm

    Amazing!

  48. @tinaballon3670 on August 13, 2025 at 2:18 pm

    Excellent video thank you!!

  49. @demonanight on August 13, 2025 at 2:20 pm

    This information will get you killed.
    Carry a pistol in a bear caliber. Bear spray only works half the time.
    If the bear is stalking you the spray won’t matter.

  50. @gigilaroux762 on August 13, 2025 at 2:20 pm

    What about bear horns?

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