If a bear is inside your house, keep out of its way and leave it a clear, unobstructed route to get out. Do not approach, corner, chase, or try to herd it. If it will not leave, contact your local wildlife authority; if anyone’s safety is threatened, call 911. These are the National Park Service’s home-specific directions, and local emergency contacts may differ.
What to do while the bear is inside
- Keep your distance. Stay out of the bear’s way; do not approach it or try to move it.
- Keep an exit open. Do not block the bear’s route out. The NPS advises giving it a clear way to leave.
- Call for help when needed. If the bear will not leave, contact your local wildlife authority. If it threatens anyone’s safety, call 911.
The home-specific guidance does not prescribe yelling at or spraying a bear inside an occupied house. Avoid substituting outdoor encounter tactics for these directions. The NPS’s general bear safety guidance also emphasizes leaving an escape route, but the immediate advice for a bear in a home is to stay out of its way and let it leave.
Who to contact
Use the emergency and wildlife contacts that apply where you live. The NPS directs people to their local national park or state wildlife department for local bear information and rules. Its home-safety page is general U.S. guidance, not a replacement for local emergency dispatch or wildlife instructions.
- Bear will not leave: Contact the local wildlife authority.
- Threat to anyone’s safety: Call 911.
Source: National Park Service, “Conservation At Home – Bears” (last updated June 8, 2023); NPS, “Staying Safe Around Bears.”
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After the bear has left: reduce attractants
Prevention steps are for after the immediate encounter, not for handling a bear that is already inside. The NPS recommends securing food and other attractants around the home:
- Keep garbage out of reach in airtight or bear-resistant containers, and put it out on collection day rather than the night before.
- Store pet or livestock feed in a building or bear-resistant container, and feed pets indoors.
- Manage bird feeders and clean up spilled seed.
- Pick ripe fruit and avoid putting food scraps in compost.
- Clean barbecue grills and store them when not in use.
Follow your local wildlife agency’s rules for attractants and approved containers; local requirements can vary. The NPS prevention advice is available at its home bear-safety page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- LONG RANGE PROTECTION: This Mace bear deterrent spray protects from a safe distance with a powerful fogger pattern, giving you more time to react to a charging bear with up to 9 seconds of total spray time.
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Rank #4
- LONG RANGE PROTECTION: This Mace bear deterrent spray protects from a safe distance with a powerful fogger pattern, giving you more time to react to a charging bear with up to 9 seconds of total spray time.
- MAX STRENGTH FORMULA: Made with 20% OC wildlife safe formula for maximum heat and potency, helping deter attacks and giving you time to retreat to safety.
- ALWAYS BE PREPARED: Essential for hiking, camping, and hunting. Its potent formula and long range spray coverage offers reliable protection so you can always be prepared for wildlife encounters.
- EASY TO USE: Designed with a finger loop handle for easy carrying and quick deployment in critical moments. To use, pull off the orange safety wedge and press down on the actuator.
- INCLUDES HOLSTER: Durable, heavy-duty nylon spray holster keeps your bear deterrent canister secure and within reach. Hook-and-loop closure allows for quick and easy access.
Rank #3
- Outdoor adventure self-defense: Having a sense of security in the wild, such as camping, hiking or fishing
- Regarding portability: Small in size, lightweight and easy to carry, it can be placed in the outer pocket of a backpack
- Regarding usage: Pull out the upper buckle and it will spray forward. After use, plug it back into the buckle and it can be carried
- Pepper Spray: Simple and compact, a safety spray that focuses on functionality. The designed system is easy to use, even for women
Rank #2
- EPA REGISTERED TO PROTECT AGAINST 9 SPECIES: Approved by the EPA to deter Bears, Mountain Lions, Coyotes, Feral Dogs, Moose, Bison, Wild Boars, Possums & Raccoons. Maximum-strength formula with 2.0% Major Capsaicinoids and HPLC lab-tested performance
- PROTECTION FROM A SAFE DISTANCE: Powerful spray deploys a dense 6ft-wide fog with an effective range up to 40 feet (12 m), with 6-7 seconds of total spray time, giving you more time and space to react to a bear attack or deter a charging mountain lion
- FAST, RELIABLE ACCESS IN BEAR COUNTRY: Quiet quick‑draw elastic belt holster for a secure & accessible carry while hiking or camping, the glow‑in‑the‑dark safety clip helps locate the spray at night, the bell helps to warn bears that you’re in the area
- EVERY BATCH VERIFIED FOR PERFORMANCE: Manufactured in the USA and HPLC lab tested to verify strength and consistency in every batch. Features a glow-in-the-dark safety wedge for fast identification in low-light conditions
- FIELD-TESTED & ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE: Federal EPA and Health Canada approved. Features eco-friendly 1234ze propellant and proven bear deterrent performance, delivering trusted protection without long-term environmental impact
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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