Black Bears in the Wild -- Are You Black Bear Aware?
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Black Bear Encounters at Home: Be Bear Aware
Bear aware? What's that?
Depending on where you live, an encounter with a black bear can either be rather common or extremely rare. We live on a piece of land within a nature conservancy, yet black bears only come into our yard at very predictable times during the year -- in the early spring and when the apples are ripe on the trees. Across the lake in the town, people have been struggling with black bears ever since the landfill closed down and the town became more conscientious about dealing with waste. Black bears who had grown accustomed to finding free eats at the dump moved into town where they raid garbage cans. They, in effect, become the type of nuisance other communities experience with raccoons.
But, of course, black bears are a lot bigger and stronger than raccoons. And though in the wild they are actually rather shy of human contact, when it comes to searching for food, black bears are like everyone else -- greedy. The best thing to do is to avoid giving black bears easy access to free food, in other words, to become more responsible about how we deal with our garbage. Black bears cannot be blamed for following the scent of our barbecues and smelly garbage cans. Or for showing up exactly when the fruit is ripe on the trees. (They don't know that it was you who planted that apple tree a few years back!)
So those in the know encourage people to be "bear aware." What this means is to think about the black bears and what might attract them to come to where they are unwelcome. The first advice is to keep garbage protected where the black bear cannot reach it. Many towns with bear problems have installed metal public refuse containers that have bear-proof lids. Home garbage containers should also be kept where bears cannot access them.
Fruit should be picked promptly and completely so that bears are not encouraged to snack there. In our town (across the lake), volunteers come to pick fruit from any tree where the homeowners find the fruit is more than they can handle. That excess fruit is then boxed and sold at the local gas station/convenience store or distributed to local families as part of the local food security initiative.
Finally, barbecuing should be done responsibly. Grills need to be cleaned after food is cooked and all food and leftovers put safely away. Black bears like a good cook out as much as the next guy!
Photo credit: mvipond at stock.xchng.
Depending on where you live, an encounter with a black bear can either be rather common or extremely rare. We live on a piece of land within a nature conservancy, yet black bears only come into our yard at very predictable times during the year -- in the early spring and when the apples are ripe on the trees. Across the lake in the town, people have been struggling with black bears ever since the landfill closed down and the town became more conscientious about dealing with waste. Black bears who had grown accustomed to finding free eats at the dump moved into town where they raid garbage cans. They, in effect, become the type of nuisance other communities experience with raccoons.
But, of course, black bears are a lot bigger and stronger than raccoons. And though in the wild they are actually rather shy of human contact, when it comes to searching for food, black bears are like everyone else -- greedy. The best thing to do is to avoid giving black bears easy access to free food, in other words, to become more responsible about how we deal with our garbage. Black bears cannot be blamed for following the scent of our barbecues and smelly garbage cans. Or for showing up exactly when the fruit is ripe on the trees. (They don't know that it was you who planted that apple tree a few years back!)
So those in the know encourage people to be "bear aware." What this means is to think about the black bears and what might attract them to come to where they are unwelcome. The first advice is to keep garbage protected where the black bear cannot reach it. Many towns with bear problems have installed metal public refuse containers that have bear-proof lids. Home garbage containers should also be kept where bears cannot access them.
Fruit should be picked promptly and completely so that bears are not encouraged to snack there. In our town (across the lake), volunteers come to pick fruit from any tree where the homeowners find the fruit is more than they can handle. That excess fruit is then boxed and sold at the local gas station/convenience store or distributed to local families as part of the local food security initiative.
Finally, barbecuing should be done responsibly. Grills need to be cleaned after food is cooked and all food and leftovers put safely away. Black bears like a good cook out as much as the next guy!
Photo credit: mvipond at stock.xchng.
Contents at a Glance
Bear Encounters Away from Home
Always Be Bear Aware
One of the anxieties that can cross your mind when planning a hike in the mountains or a camping trip is what to do if you should meet a bear. The thing to keep in mind is that generally, black bears are shy creatures. They are probably just as nervous about meeting you as you are about meeting them.
Similar rules apply to the hiking trail and campsite as those mentioned about avoiding confrontations at home. The single most important precaution regards food. Be wary around berry patches and other places where bears are looking for a meal. Bears are rather large and so need to eat a lot to keep up their strength and to put on the fat before their long winter hibernation, so don't compete with them for their food sources in the wild. When you are camping, hang your food in the trees and keep all food out of your tent. Don't leave leftovers or dirty dishes around your campsite.
When you are walking or hiking in the woods, make enough noise that a bear will hear you coming. Some people wear a bell attached to their pack. This alerts the bear who is wary of meeting you, too.
Whenever you see a bear, take a quick look around to be sure there are no cubs nearby. Never get between the mother and her cubs. In the wild, some male bears will even attack and eat young cubs, so mother bears are very cautious about their babies.
It is a good idea to carry bear spray with you when you are venturing off into the woods, especially in areas where bears are known to inhabit. You may never need to use bear spray, but if you should be in a situation where a bear feels threatened and becomes aggressive, bear spray has been shown to be an effective deterrent. In fact, in all the cases on record where people and bears have been at odds and bear spray has been used properly, a bear expert has informed me, no bear has died as a result and no human person has died. On the other hand, when the person has carried a gun, thousands of bears have been killed and many, many people have been killed or wounded, as well, because of misfiring or because the wounded bear has become angry and attacked the gun holder with a vengeance. So even if a gun makes you feel safer, you are actually safer with the bear spray as your last resort weapon.
Another tip bear experts offer is to refrain from taking your dog on a hike where you are likely to encounter a bear. Dogs and bears are natural enemies. Your dog is likely to bark and try to chase the bear. When the bear turns on the dog, the dog is likely to turn to you, his trusted owner, to keep safe, leading the bear directly to you. Not much protection, eh?
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Similar rules apply to the hiking trail and campsite as those mentioned about avoiding confrontations at home. The single most important precaution regards food. Be wary around berry patches and other places where bears are looking for a meal. Bears are rather large and so need to eat a lot to keep up their strength and to put on the fat before their long winter hibernation, so don't compete with them for their food sources in the wild. When you are camping, hang your food in the trees and keep all food out of your tent. Don't leave leftovers or dirty dishes around your campsite.
When you are walking or hiking in the woods, make enough noise that a bear will hear you coming. Some people wear a bell attached to their pack. This alerts the bear who is wary of meeting you, too.
Whenever you see a bear, take a quick look around to be sure there are no cubs nearby. Never get between the mother and her cubs. In the wild, some male bears will even attack and eat young cubs, so mother bears are very cautious about their babies.
It is a good idea to carry bear spray with you when you are venturing off into the woods, especially in areas where bears are known to inhabit. You may never need to use bear spray, but if you should be in a situation where a bear feels threatened and becomes aggressive, bear spray has been shown to be an effective deterrent. In fact, in all the cases on record where people and bears have been at odds and bear spray has been used properly, a bear expert has informed me, no bear has died as a result and no human person has died. On the other hand, when the person has carried a gun, thousands of bears have been killed and many, many people have been killed or wounded, as well, because of misfiring or because the wounded bear has become angry and attacked the gun holder with a vengeance. So even if a gun makes you feel safer, you are actually safer with the bear spray as your last resort weapon.
Another tip bear experts offer is to refrain from taking your dog on a hike where you are likely to encounter a bear. Dogs and bears are natural enemies. Your dog is likely to bark and try to chase the bear. When the bear turns on the dog, the dog is likely to turn to you, his trusted owner, to keep safe, leading the bear directly to you. Not much protection, eh?
Buy at AllPosters.com
How Much Do You Know About Black Bears?
Test Your Bear Knowledge
Bear Protection for Your Hike
Be Prudent, not Paranoid!
Carrying these items with you while hiking in the mountains will ease your anxieties and allow you to enjoy your expedition. Hiking is all about the experience.
Charlie's Story with the Grizzlies
Charlie's Experience is Unique: He Raised the Bears from Cubs
curated content from YouTube
Have You Ever Had an Encounter with a Bear?
What Happened? Tell Your Tale. . .
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imolaK
Mar 18, 2011 @ 3:37 am | delete
- No, I haven't. Thank you for the advices. Blessed!
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Janiece Jan 16, 2011 @ 8:38 am | delete
- I've seen them in the wild, but only from my car window. My parents had a scary encounter with a couple of bears at a campground once a few years ago though. The bears came into the campground looking for food. My parents ended up sleeping in the car that night!
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Tipi
Sep 23, 2010 @ 2:10 pm | delete
- Very nice lens. I love bears, grew up in the northwoods with the Black Bears.
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Are You Bear Aware Index
Check Back About Your Awareness of Bears
by sheilamarie
Being bear aware is a way of life.
I live where there are many black bears and encounters are common. The bear aware programs in British Columbia prov...
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