Bears in Washington State
Spread the loveWhen I first thought about moving to Washington I couldn’t help but nervously think of bears. Where I grew up, there were no bears to worry about! In order to get over my fear and start hiking alone in Washington State, I did extensive research on the bear population in Washington and learned how to react if I see one on the trail. In this blog I’ll be talking about the bear population in Washington State. Understanding the Bear Population in Washington Bears, including both black bears and grizzly bears, are here in Washington. While grizzly bears are primarily found in remote areas of the North Cascades, black bears can be seen throughout most of the state. The exact population numbers fluctuate, but estimates suggest there are several thousand black bears and a much smaller number of grizzly bears. The good news is that it is extremely rare to see a grizzly in Washington, so most of what you need to prepare for is bumping into a black bear. Black bears typically run away from people, and many of the bears in Washington state are used to hearing hikers and know to move out when they hear us coming. My personal experience with bears in Washington state has been limited. While I’ve spend more than 100 days outside since moving here, I have only seen 1 black bear. This has brought me a lot of comfort knowing that it I am likely not going to bump into them on every hiking trail. What to Do if You Encounter a Bear While Hiking Despite their powerful presence, bears typically avoid human contact. However, it’s important to know how to react if you do encounter one while hiking. Remember these key tips: Proper Food Storage While Camping Bears have an incredible sense of smell and are attracted to food, garbage, and scented items. To minimize the risk of attracting bears to your campsite: Click here to see what bear canister I love Why Bear Spray and Noise Are Important While Hiking Bear spray is a valuable tool for hikers in bear country. It contains a potent deterrent that can stop a charging bear in its tracks, giving you time to retreat to safety. It’s essential to carry bear spray with you on hikes and know how to use it effectively. Being noisy while hiking serves two purposes: it alerts bears to your presence, giving them the opportunity to avoid you, and it can prevent startling a bear at close range, which could lead to a defensive reaction. Talking, singing, clapping, or using bear bells are all effective ways to make your presence known. Click here to view my favorite bear spray Conclusion Encountering a bear while hiking in Washington State is uncommon. That being said, if you spend enough time outside it is sure to happen. Stay alert and always be prepared. By understanding bear behavior, practicing proper food storage, carrying bear spray, and making noise while hiking, you can enjoy the beauty of Washington’s wilderness while minimizing the risk of bear encounters.