but I don't understand how "playing dead" will deter a (non hungry) bear from swiping ya butt cheeks off.
i think the theory is if you dont fight back the bear will lose interest if hes not hungary
Most encounters with bears, they are just as surprised as we are in that moment. Attacks are either territorial or predatory. The "play dead" tactic is for those instances where its territorial and you want to be submissive and make yourself as little a threat as possible for the bear to be " He ain't on shyt." However playing dead with a hungry bear on the hunt you actually do the exact opposite and be aggressive as possible, otherwise when you play dead he's just " Oh forreal? 'Preciate the plate you made breh. "