Ontario Hunting License Practice Exam

When you encounter a bear while hunting, remaining calm and backing away slowly while avoiding direct eye contact is crucial. This response minimizes the risk of provoking the bear, as sudden movements or displays of fear can trigger a bear's instinct to chase. By backing away slowly, you are signaling to the bear that you are not a threat, which can help prevent a potentially dangerous confrontation.

Avoiding direct eye contact is important because bears may perceive it as a challenge or aggression. Instead, by looking at the ground or keeping your body turned sideways to the bear, you convey non-aggression, which can lead to a peaceful resolution of the encounter.

Taking other actions, such as making loud noises or running away, might be counterproductive. Quick movements could provoke the bear, and in many cases, running could trigger the bear's chase instinct. Similarly, climbing a nearby tree is generally not advisable, as bears are excellent climbers and could follow you up. Understanding how to react appropriately in such situations is key to ensuring both your safety and the bear's well-being.