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A recent TikTok trend poses the question to women, “Would you rather be stuck in a forest with a man or a bear?”. The majority replied that they would prefer to be stuck with a bear. The video, posted on April 10 by account “screenshothq,” showed that amongst eight women polled, only one would rather be with a man than a bear, quoting men are scarier.
Debate over this question continues, with some women stating that in the case of an encounter with a bear, people would believe them if they were attacked. One user reasoned, “The worst thing a bear can do is kill me. I can’t say the same about man.”
But how much of a threat are bears in the woods, actually? And what precautions should one take? The National Park Service (NPS) suggests staying calm if a bear is near as they typically want to be left alone. Some key strategies include maintaining a safe distance, avoiding blocking the bear’s route, especially if a cub is spotted alone since the mother could be nearby.
A Florida-based backpacking guide stated that while bears are not harmless and deserve respect and space, preparedness is what ensures a safe hiking experience. The USDA Forest Service further recommended being cautious in bear country by staying aware, making noise, carrying a weapon such as bear spray, and altering your route to avoid the bear.
The NPS website provides guidance on what to do if one encounters a charging bear: “Black, fight back; brown, lay down; white, goodnight.” For black bears, the individual should fight back, while for larger grizzly or brown bears, they should play dead, at least initially, responding to further attack only if it persists.
Polar bears, found only in Alaska, are very aggressive when threatened. They are the largest bear species globally and have no natural predators. The last polar bear fatality recorded in the US was in 2023.
For encounters with people in the woods, tips include alertness, sharing itinerary details, developing an emergency plan beforehand. And if with children, give them whistles to blow if they got lost. Sticking to marked trails and obeying all park rules are also advised.
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