If you discover a bear in your living space, give it a clear escape route and do not corner it. Do not lock the bear in a room. Exit the house and leave doors open to provide the bear an escape route. Contact local police and your state wildlife agency immediately. Once the bear leaves, investigate how it gained access to your living space and take corrective and preventative action. If bears were finding food on your property, remove all food attractants immediately.

Do not feed birds from April through November when they can easily make do with naturally available foods. This is especially important for avoiding problems with bears

If there is an early spring with melted snow and warm weather, it is a good idea to take your bird feeder down early 

If you are approached by an aggressive bear avoid direct eye contact, speak in a soft, calm voice and slowly back away from the bear. These actions often will help appease the bear. The bear may slap the ground, huff, blow, and chomp its teeth or make a bluff charge to let you know it feels threatened and wants space. Do not run or turn your back to the bear. Bears can outrun, out-swim and out-climb you.

Make yourself appear bigger by raising your arms above your head, and continue to speak in a soft, calm voice and back away from the bear.

If you are actually charged and attacked, fight back rather than "play dead." Capsaicin, or concentrated red pepper spray, has been a useful repellent when sprayed directly into the face of the bear, but it is only effective at close range and for threatening encounters. Spray range is typically less than 30 feet. Do not use capsaicin spray on objects or plants as a bear repellent, it may actually attract bears.

Kick, punch, and hit the bear with your fists, feet, and whatever weapon might be available. Concentrate your attack on the bear’s face, eyes, and nose.

Get prompt medical treatment. Notify your state wildlife agency to report the attack and have the bear captured and tested for diseases. 

Bears can be frightened from an area by shouting, clapping your hands, banging pots and pans, and using night lights, strobe lights, loud music, pyrotechnics, and trained guard dogs. To be effective over the long-term, you should change the position of the device or method regularly so the bear does not become used to it. If a bear does not flee almost immediately or becomes accustomed to a particular method, stop and try a different method. Use all methods at a safe distance and location from the bear. If problems persist after attempting several methods, contact a professional.

Bears can also be deterred and frightened by shooting them with paintballs. Aim for the large muscle mass in the hind quarter of the bear and avoid the head and front shoulder area. The idea is to frighten the bear, not injure it.