Aversive Conditioning

Unwanted trespassing and crop damage by bears can be prevented through aversive conditioning. This method works by making an experience disagreeable enough to the bear that he or she is discouraged from repeating the undesirable behavior. Bear biologists and other trained agents use assertive behavior, chemical irritants, pyrotechnic scare devices, and rubber buckshot and bean bag rounds to teach a bear to stay away from human habitat. The typical aversive conditioning kit includes many items commonly available, such as high-volume water guns, air horns, emergency whistles, and automatic umbrellas. Products are available that use motion detectors to sense a bear’s presence and shoot water or sound alarms to scare the bear away.

Many state wildlife agencies in bear territory have some form of bear response plan, including the deployment of agency staff members trained in aversive conditioning techniques. While many aversive conditioning techniques are easy to employ, it is illegal in most states for the general public to “harass” bears. The process should be left to your state wildlife agency so that the bear has the best chance possible of being trained to stay away from human habitat.