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What do bears, traffic, and your one cranky neighbor have in common? The best way to deal with them is to avoid them. While bear spray is an effective deterrent that all hikers should carry, giving bears the notice they need to keep their distance from you is a first-line way of avoiding conflict that’s less stressful for everyone. To explain how to do it, we tapped Wes Siler, a Montana-based outdoorsman and Outside columnist who has decades of experience living and recreating in bear country. From making noise to moving in a group to managing your scents, here’s what hikers need to know.
From 2025