| It may be true that black bears aren't as | | | | cubs nearby - attack to try to scare you away. |
| dangerous to backpackers as grizzlies, but there | | | | These are called "bluff attacks," and may end |
| are many cases of black bear attacks - some of | | | | without contact, or the animal may hit you a few |
| them fatal. So even if you are in black bear | | | | times. With this type of attack, the bear will growl |
| country, there are a few things you need to | | | | a lot, and seem very angry. Try talking calmly as |
| know. The first, and perhaps most important | | | | you slowly back away, or if the attack continues, |
| thing, is to know how to avoid an attack. | | | | interlace your fingers behind your neck to protect |
| How To Avoid A Black Bear Attack | | | | it, and curl up on the ground. The bear might just |
| Be noisy. Generally, a black bear will get out of | | | | bat you around for a few seconds, and then |
| your way if it knows you're coming down the trail. | | | | leave. |
| Surprise it, however, and it may attack. If you | | | | Unfortunately, this isn't the only type of attack. |
| are hiking with a friend, a conversation is enough | | | | There are also those where you are being stalked |
| noise to advertise your presence to the local | | | | and hunted. It isn't common, but black bears will |
| animals. If you are alone, you may want to wear | | | | sometimes hunt humans for food. When this is |
| some "bear bells" or sing a song. | | | | the intent, you don't want to "play dead," or you |
| Be less flashy. You're easily spotted from a long | | | | will be soon. Fight for your life! |
| distance when you are in bright, colorful clothing. | | | | With this type of attack, the bear will likely be |
| In Alaska, it has noted that bears see the bright | | | | quiet, have his nose down, ears folded back, and |
| colors and come closer to investigate, while they | | | | be watching you closely as he moves towards |
| often won't see hikers in darker colors. It isn't | | | | you. He is trying to determine if you are easy |
| clear that this is the case with black bears, but it | | | | prey, so don't be. Yell, swing your trekking poles, |
| is something to consider when buying that rain | | | | and do anything else you can do to convince the |
| jacket - especially if you'll be backpacking in open | | | | bear that you're too much trouble for a meal. |
| terrain. | | | | Putting something between you and the bear can |
| Don't cook where you sleep. Instead, stop along | | | | help. A man who was being hunted by a black |
| the trail to cook dinner, and then continue hiking | | | | bear in Michigan continued to push his video |
| for a while before stopping for the night. If you | | | | camera at the bear as the attack continued for |
| have already set up camp, hike a short distance | | | | almost half-an-hour. The camera and his yelling |
| away to cook dinner. The idea is to keep the | | | | kept the bear a few feet away, until his friends |
| odors away from where you are sleeping. | | | | arrived (and it made for an excellent video as |
| Hang food out of reach. This generally means ten | | | | well). Running generally doesn't work, but if you |
| feet high and four feet out from the trunk of a | | | | have no other choice, remember that black bears |
| tree - difficult in some areas that don't have | | | | are slower when going downhill. |
| many large trees. Rather than using twine, it is | | | | Use whatever you can for a weapon, but be |
| often easier to lift the food bag up with a stick (I | | | | careful about bending over to pick things up. |
| use my walking stick) and hang it from a knob on | | | | Bending over may trigger a charge. When there |
| a good branch. While some backpackers keep | | | | are two or more backpackers, try a sustained |
| food with them, in zipped plastic bags inside other | | | | defense using rocks, sticks and yelling. This can |
| plastic bags, unless every last odor is contained, | | | | change the black bears mind. Other things that |
| bears are likely to come visiting. | | | | can help include, bear spray, a freon horn and |
| Two Kinds Of Black Bear Attacks | | | | whistles. |
| Bears, when surprised - especially if they have | | | | |