Waltzing With Wildlife: Ten Things NOT to Do in Our National Parks: Vacation Survival Tips

by Carolyn Jourdan

The #2 most popular way to die in the national

parks is from collisions.

Do not play dead with a Black Bear. Playing dead can be an effective tactic with Grizzly Bears.

If the bear continues to charge, it's important not to drop to the ground and play

dead too early with a grizzly bear. Wait until the bear makes contact or the second before the bear makes contact. By standing your ground, the bear is likely to break off the charge or veer away.

Do not play dead with a black bear. Fight back.

Since 1970, people who played dead when attacked by a grizzly bear during a surprise encounter in Yellowstone received only minor injuries 75% of the time. However, those that fought back during surprise encounters received very severe injuries 80% of the time.