Two young Carcross women narrowly escaped a close encounter with a mother grizzly bear and her three cubs last week thanks in part to Mac, their 12-year-old yellow Labrador.

Aimee, 19, and Alix, 21, O'Connor were running on a trail by their house in Carcross June 19, just about to take a walking break when the sow and cubs came out of the bushes.

The mother grizzly reared and charged, stopping short of the two women.

Alix, standing in front, had her bear spray ready for the second charge, but the trigger broke on the device, rendering it useless.

Luckily, Mac stepped in when the bear was about five feet away, herding it away.

Alix said she initially thought the bear would run away when she saw her and her sister.

"I did not think it was going to go that way,” she said in an interview Tuesday.

Environment Yukon's 2008 pamphlet called How you can stay safe in bear country contains a number of recommendations for how to defuse an encounter with a bear.

If it starts to approach you, like Aimee and Alix, you should stop, not run, and prepare to use any "deterrent” you have with you, such as bear spray (which should only be used at close range).

The pamphlet recommends keeping your pack on, as it could protect your back and neck in the event of an attack.

Take a second to determine why the bear is approaching. It may feel threatened and be approaching defensively, in which case it will appear agitated and stressed.

The bear may also be curious or after your food or rarely, it may think of you as prey. In all of these cases, the bear will approach non-defensively.

A curious bear will approach slowly, ears forward, nose up. A bear after food may be a little more bold.

A predatory bear will approach more confidently, ears and head up.

Whether a bear is acting defensively or non-defensively will dictate your reaction.

If a bear is acting defensively, your goal is to appear non-threatening; when it no longer feels threatened, it may retreat.

If the bear charges, stand your ground, don't shout or throw anything. When it has stopped advancing, slowly back away, talking in a calm voice. If it charges again, stop.

The pamphlet says if the bear seems intent on an attack, use your deterrent.

If the bear attacks, the pamphlet says you should wait as long as possible before the first strike to fall flat to the ground on your stomach, interlocking your fingers behind your neck. If the bear flips you on your back, try to roll back onto your stomach.

Don't yell or fight back.

"Once a defensive bear no longer thinks you're a threat, it will stop attacking,” says the pamphlet.

Wait for the bear to leave the area before getting up; moving before it's left may provoke another attack.

If a non-defensive bear approaches, stay calm and talk in a firm voice.

The pamphlet suggests trying to move out of its path, as you may just be in the way.

"If the bear follows and stays focused on you, you're in a dangerous situation: it's time to become aggressive.”

The pamphlet says to shout and make yourself appear as large as possible. It also suggests stamping your feet, taking one or two steps toward the bear or standing on a rock or log.

"If a non-defensive bear attacks, fight back with all your might. Use any weapon within reach. At this point, you're dealing with a predatory bear intent on eating you.

"Be as aggressive as possible, concentrating on the bear's face, eyes and nose.”

Chris Gustafson, the manager of Enforcement and Components with the Conservation Officer Services, said this morning the most important thing when hiking or camping in bear country is to stay bear-aware.

It's becoming more common for young people to wear headphones when hiking or running, but Gustafson cautions against this, saying it's important to have the use of all five senses.