If a bear clacks its teeth, sticks out its lips, huffs, woofs, or slaps the ground with its paws, it is warning you that you are too close and are making it nervous. The bear’s nervous? Heed this warning and slowly back away. ⁣ ⁣ 🐻 Do not drop to the ground and “play dead.” Bears can sense overacting.⁣ ⁣ 🐻 Do not run, shout, or make sudden movements. ⁣ ⁣ 🐻 Do not run up and push the bear and do not push a slower friend down…even if you feel the friendship has run its course.⁣ ⁣ 🐻 Running may trigger a chase response in the bear and you can't outrun a bear. Bears in Yellowstone chase down elk calves all the time. You do not want to look like a slow elk calf. (Apologies to the elk calf.)⁣ ⁣ 🐻 Slowly putting distance between yourself and the bear may defuse the situation. ⁣ ⁣ 🐻 Draw your bear spray from the holster, remove the safety tab, and prepare to use it if the bear charges.⁣ ⁣ 🐻 In most cases, climbing a tree is a poor decision. Bears can climb trees (especially if there is ...