Please 'bear' with us

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Several bears have been spotted on the Academy recently. The Academy Natural Resources staff offers the following tips should you come upon a bear in the wild. 

If you surprise a bear on a trail:

-- Stand still, stay calm and let the bear identify you and leave. Talk in a normal tone of voice. Be sure the bear has an escape route. 
--  Never run or climb a tree. 
--  If you see cubs, their mother is usually close by. Leave the area immediately. 

If the bear doesn't leave: 

-- A bear standing up is just trying to identify what you are by getting a better look and smell. 
-- Wave your arms slowly overhead and talk calmly. If the bear huffs, pops it jaws or stomps a paw, it wants you to give it space. 
-- Step off the trail to the downhill side, keep looking at the bear and slowly back away until the bear is out of sight.