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- Black bears are large, strong wild animals that should be treated with respect and appreciated from a distance to ensure your safety as well as the bear’s. In general, when you encounter a black bear you should: Remain calm. Ensure the bear has an escape route. Back away when possible. If attacked in a building or tent, immediately fight back.
vtfishandwildlife.com/learn-more/living-with-wildlife/living-with-black-bears/if-you-encounter-a-bearIf You Encounter a Bear | Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
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If you encounter a bear that’s aware of you: don’t run; running may trigger a chase response. Back away slowly in the opposite direction and wait for the bear to leave. Keep reading to find out what to do if a bear approaches, follows or charges you.
- Bears are aggressive and unpredictable, so there’s nothing you can do to prevent an encounter. Many people are under the impression that bears are born killers—aggressive, angry, and ready to strike down two-legged intruders at a moment’s notice and even seeking out encounters where they can assert their dominance.
- Bears can’t climb trees. Despite plenty of photos of adorable bear cubs perched high in pine branches, many people are still under the impression that bears can’t climb trees.
- Bear bells are the best way to let bears know you’re coming. While some bears have been shown to respond to bells in some places, studies show that on the whole, bells have little effect when it comes to alerting bears to human presence.
- Guns are as effective as, or better than, bear spray. If you’re tempted to carry a firearm into the wilderness to stop a bear attack, think twice before choosing a gun over bear spray.
During an encounter with a bear: Never run away. You cannot outrun a bear. Running may trigger a bear to chase. Never approach a bear. In any bear encounter, your behavior matters. Bears respond to your actions. Both grizzly bears and black bears pose a risk. The bear’s behavior should determine your response.
Every encounter with a black bear is unique and, in the vast majority of cases, becomes a pleasant travel anecdote. However, you should be aware that several scenarios are possible. In the few examples that follow, we suggest some safe ways of dealing with the presence of a black bear.
The standard answer nationwide is, “Speak calmly and back away slowly.”. This is good advice. It identifies you as a person, shows that you are non-threatening, and gives the bear space. Stay calm and back away slowly.
Apr 6, 2022 · Last Updated on April 6, 2022. Black bear sightings in the wild can be an unforgettable experience but it can also be a frightening one. It is normal to become alarmed when you come face-to-face with a black bear. Luckily, black bears are rarely aggressive and attacks by them are rare too.
Dec 4, 2021 · Hikers and campers can prevent unwanted encounters with black bears by forming a few simple habits. Wearing a bear bell while hiking can keep wild animals at bay in the first place. Always travel in groups when possible, even if it's just two at a time.
