Why You Shouldn't Be Afraid of Grizzly Bear Attacks in Glacier National Park, Montana

We watched with a mixture of concern and amusement as the situation unfolded before our eyes.  We were near the top of Siyeh Pass, looking at the glacial lake below us.  Nearly half a mile away, a hiker was walking around to the far side of the lake, possibly with the intention of sliding down the snow field into the freezing water.  Walking from the other direction, across the scree field nearest the snow, was what appeared to be a large grizzly (through binoculars).  Neither the bear, nor the hiker could see that they were about to have a close encounter.

They both saw each other at the same time and they had to have been within 100 feet when it happened.  Fortunately for the hiker, the grizzly reacted by turning around and heading up the rock slide away from the hiker.  Even though the hiker was a small dot from our vantage point, he seemed to move with incredible speed as he ran back around the lake.  I've never seen someone so far away move so fast.

Millions of people visit Glacier National Park every year and only a small handful will have the kind of encounter that this visitor did.  But grizzly bears and black bears are present in Glacier so here are a few facts and tips to put you at ease and help keep you safe in the event of a bear encounter.

• Fact: The last fatal bear attack in Glacier National Park was in 1998 even though the number of bears has increased since then. 
• Tip:Never run from a bear
• Fact: Bear spray is much more effective than a gun.
• Tip: Check the expiration date, practice taking the safety off, keep it easily accessible and visualize spraying a Z-pattern at a bear if he/she charges!
• Fact: Most fatal bear attacks happen to lone hikers or groups of two and there are no recorded bear attacks against groups of 6 or more.
• Tip: If you make noise while on the trail, you probably won't surprise a bear
• Fact: Bears stand on their hind legs to get a better view of what has caught their attention
• Tip: If they are defensive (stomping and huffing), back away slowly.
• Fact: Bears have good eyesight and can see in color.
• Tip: If they are aggressive (approaching you silently and swiftly), get loud and big!
• Fact: People who use guns against bears are more than twice as likely to incur serious injury than people who use bear spray in the event of an attack.
• Tip: Never get between a mother and her cub(s)!
• Fact: Grizzly bears can outrun horses over short distances!
• Tip:Know the difference between grizzlies and black bears
• Fact: 3 people die from bears every year....90 people die by being struck by lightening
• Tip: In the unlikelihood you are attacked play dead if you're attacked by a grizzly and fight back if you're attacked by a black bear 

Be bear aware but don't let it keep you from hiking.  Chances are you won't have a bear encounter and if you follow the tips above, the chances of the encounter turning into a bear attack are about as small as.....all the glaciers being around in GNP 100 years from now!


Article written by Matt Harrington, Marketing Specialist at the Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn and Suites in Kalispell, MT.  If you're coming to the Flathead, to Kalispell or to Glacier National Park, check out the Trip Advisor number 1 Kalispell hotel!