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