New York Firearms Safety Course Practice Exam

What should you do if you encounter a bear while hunting?

1. Attempt to scare it away by shooting in the air

2. Speak to it to let it know of your presence

3. Immediately leave the area

4. Stand still and avoid direct eye contact

The correct answer is: Speak to it to let it know of your presence

Speaking to the bear to let it know of your presence can be a useful tactic. Bears are generally shy animals and may be deterred by human voices. Making your presence known in a calm voice can prevent surprising the bear, which might provoke a defensive reaction. Taking other approaches, such as making loud noises, could escalate the situation. Scaring a bear away by shooting in the air is not recommended; this could provoke aggression rather than deter the animal. Likewise, leaving the area may be necessary in some situations, but doing so abruptly could trigger a chase response. Standing still can sometimes be appropriate, especially with certain bear encounters where direct eye contact should be avoided, as it can be interpreted as a threat. However, calmly communicating is often the preferred first step.