SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. — A woman and her friends hiking the Shasta Bally Trail earlier this week caught a glimpse of a mother bear and her cubs.
Jordan Hernandez shared a video of the sighting with Northstate’s News via Chime-In. The video shows a female brown bear sitting in a tree with her cubs.
In the video, the bear can be seen standing on its hind legs on a branch and the mother bear and her cubs eventually struggle down from below. Hernandez said she and her friends were hiking along the Shasta Bally Trail around 6:20 p.m. on August 15 when they spotted the bear.
“We were amazed and shocked by what we saw,” Hernandez wrote to Northstate’s News.
If you encounter a bear in the wild, BearWise says you should take certain steps to ensure your safety and avoid disturbing the animal.
- If you see a bear before it notices you, do not approach it. Stand still, enjoy the scene, and then quietly move away.
- If a bear sees you, back away slowly. Never run away. Running can trigger a chase response.
- If a bear approaches, stop, wave your arms and call out “Hey bear” until it goes away. Stay with your group at all times. If it continues to approach, use bear spray.
- If a black bear makes contact with you, DO NOT play dead, but defend yourself aggressively.
According to BearWise, bear spray is proven to be the easiest and most effective way to deter a bear that is threatening you. However, it is important to note that bear spray does not work like insect repellent, so never spray your tent, campsite or belongings.
For more useful outdoor safety tips, visit BearWise.org.
