Master the Mountains: Effective Bear Safe Practices for Hikers Embarking on a wilderness adventure takes more than just packing essential gear. Especially when youre entering bear country, safety protocols that include staying in large groups and having bear spray at hand are additional, yet crucial, precautions. Bear encounters are always unpredictable, but understanding and adhering to fundamental safety guidelines significantly reduce your risk. So ditch your solo hiking for now, pack those bear safety essentials, and let us take you through the crucial strategies to mount a successful bear defense on your outdoor expeditions. Group Hiking: Your Basic Bear Deterrent In the heart of bear country, your best safety protocol is to hike in packs. Bears are less likely to approach larger groups since it raises there threat perception. Beyond just numbers, maintaining high vigilance and awareness of your surroundings along wtih complete compliance with the region-specific hiking ru...