Maryland Hunter Safety Practice Test

When you encounter a bear while hunting, the best course of action is to remain calm and slowly back away. This response is correct because it minimizes the chance of provoking the bear or causing it to feel threatened. Bears typically prefer to avoid confrontation, and by calmly backing away, you signal that you are not a threat.

Running away might trigger the bear's instinct to chase, as it could see you as prey. Making loud noises can sometimes work, but it may also startle the bear or provoke aggressive behavior, especially if it feels cornered. Trying to feed a bear is extremely dangerous, as it not only encourages aggressive behavior but could also lead to the bear associating humans with food, which can create a dangerous situation for future encounters. Therefore, remaining calm and slowly backing away is the safest and most effective way to handle a bear encounter in the wild.