Communicating with Bears: Grizzlies
The very first consideration in dealing with grizzlies is your personal safety. Unlike black bears, grizzlies are unforgiving and far more dangerous. You don't ignore them nor do you attempt to intimidate them or be pals. You must, above all else, keep your distance. Every bear has a personal distance that it feels safe within and you must respect that. Usually, you should give the bear at least a hundred yards, especially if the two of you are not already acquainted. You must also give grizzlies fair warning of your presence. Sing or talk while travelling through the woods, and shout something friendly before going around a bend or into a thicket. Sneaking up on a grizzly (whether intentionally or accidentally) and surprising it at close range is the usual cause of bear attacks. A bear surprised at close range has every reason to suppose it is the target of an ambush and will instinctively act quickly.
If you live in the same area as grizzlies, you must be predictable to the bear in your habits. This will go far towards making the bear comfortable in your vicinity, and he will willingly accomodate his own habits accordingly. Grizzlies know full well that nothing is more dangerous and unpredictable than Homo sapiens. Your goal in communicating with Mr. Grizzer Bear is to show that you are not a threat to him, but neither are you a weakling to be bullied. You must communicate mutual respect to him. Expect to play subtle dominance games as soon as you see him. Think of what you would need to do to go into a really tough biker bar to conduct peaceful business with the Hell's Angels, or into a saloon in the Old West to hobnob with reknowned gunfighters. That is the kind of attitude you need to walk with the grizzly.
One of the most characteristic grizzly behaviors is also one of the most misunderstood. It is called "ignoring behavior." The grizzly will look away and pretend to be interested in something else. It means, "I am just going to pretend I didn't see you, now go away!" It does NOT mean that it's okay to come closer! This is how a lot of "photo fiends" get hurt. They assume that the grizzly is tolerating them when it is really thinking, "If that monkey comes one step closer, I'm going to eat him!" Photographers are second only to hunters as victims of grizzly attacks. Sometimes, "ignoring behavior" is obvious. I remember one photo that showed mama bear very pointedly looking in the opposite direction while the cubs stared curiously directly at the photographer.
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