We are new to adoring the forest and are wondering how often walkers run into bears on the trails and in the woods. How agressive are they and what is the best thing to do if encountered by a black bear. Their presence is intimidating to us for sure !!!

Hi

I feel the same as you ..So I have been reading lots of blogs ..

This is what I am going to do.

Make noise while walking through tracks..which will not be hard for me as I chat about everything, except when I am painting..


If I come across one ...I am turning the other way ...do not run!
do not get between a baby and Mum.

Do not wear lots of fruit or food smelling cosmetics..I am not going to carry food on my self ..will eat before walking ...and in your campground be careful how you store food.

Ask rangers if there has been any bear activity..and if the camps are closed unexpectedly ..It could have been because of a bear activity in the area.

anyway, this is not from ist hand experience..but like you I was a bit concerned..as I had no idea of what to do, and this is what I have learn so far....

Cheers Sharon, (D Grant's better half.)

Good suggestions Sharon. In all the years we have spent in national forests, following Sharon's guidelines, I can count all our bear encounters on one hand. Our daughter, an avid Montana wilderness hiker, has seen lots of bears over the years but applying what she has learned from us, has never had a problem.

One idea, from a backpacker, that sounds good was to wear some hospital scrubs when making breakfast and changing into your hiking clothes before hitting the trail. Sounds like cooking in your pjs



Suzi

I imagine that most of us like to see bears in the wild...just not too close-up! Anyway, here's a little lighter view of the subject. Sorry this is so small..you may need a magnifying glass to read it.

I like seeing bears...

_________________
A cool idea from Busby SEO Test

Hi,

We found a lot greenery throughout the forest. Once in a year I used to go for Jungle safari, where i have seen wild animals.

Cool Idea.
Thanks
Jimmy

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Some 50 years ago while camping in the Great Smoky Mountains, my mother needed to use the "facilities" late one night. As she was entering one door a bear proceeded to exit the other. My mother quickly decided the call of nature would wait until daylight.
Needless to say this story has been passed out to her great grandchildren.
Remember.... the great outdoors, means the great outdoors.

Years ago a prime evening activity for vacationers in the Adirondacks was to go to the town dump and watch the bears feed. I was heading there one evening, walking through a small patch of trees from the car to a good viewing area, heard a noise off to my right and there was a small black bear walking along with me, about 25 feet away. He/she was intent on getting to the goodstuff and just glanced my way and kept going, while I decided that sitting in the car for a bit was not the worst idea.
Five years ago I camped at Lewis Lake in Yellowstone, and was a bit paranoid because of all the signs about bears, having never been in Grizzly area before. I made sure to clean everything three times, put everything in the car and wrap it in plastic bags. Went to bed and was stretched out thinking 'Wow! I'm camping in Yellowstone!', when I heard a loud snorting, snuffling sort of noise. Sat right up and said out loud 'f*&% me, it's a bear!' Then I heard the noise again, and a third time and tracked it down to being one or both of the guys in the next tent snoring. When I told them the story the next day they laughed and said, 'nope, no bear, just a couple of old men making night noises'.

FIRST OFF MOST BEARS DONT LOOK TO HAVE ENCOUNTERS WITH US ALSO.MOST TIMES THE BEAR WILL SEE,SMELL,HEAR US LONG BEFORE WE EVER SEE THEM.AND USUALLY THIS GIVES THEM THE CHANCE TO MOVE AWAY..

MOST IMPORTANT WHEN HIKING,ALWAYS MAKE NOISE,WEAR "BEAR BELLS",CARRY BEAR SPRAY,MAKE YOUR PRESENT KNOWN.NEVER GET BETWEEN A MOTHER AND HER CUB "NO MATTER HOW CUTE THEY LOOK".

IF YOU DO ENCOUNTER A BEAR ,DONT TURN AND RUN (THEY WILL CHASE YOU)BEARS CAN RUN 35MPH,HOLD YOUR GROUND AND SLOWLY BACK AWAY,IF BEAR APPROACHES:RAISE YOUR ARMS,MAKE NOISE,APPEAR LARGE TO THEM,SHOUT AT THEM,IF THHEY DO STILL COME USE BEAR SPRAY,AS LAST RESORT:FIGHT BACK ESP.WITH BLACK BEARS,WITH GRIZZLIES:LAY STILL,COVER YOUR HEAD AND NECK,IF ALL ELSE FIGHT BACK.

ALWAYS TRY TO REMEMBER,WE'RE IN THEIR AREA,NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.WE CAN BOTH ENJOY THEIR AREA WITHOUT PROBLEMS IF WE ALWAYS REMEMBER THESE IDEAS.....HAVE A GREAT WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE....

Having had a close encounter just recently, I did exactly what my hiking partner said to do, move away, not turn my back and make noise. The bear (about 300 lbs) was as not interested in me as I was in it. It went one way and I went the other. We did notice skat in several points during the hike, so be aware.....and make noise and never, never turn your back and run.........ever. hope this helps. :D

Although a bit belated, thanks to ranger3417 for the bear advice. The words provided by him are consistent with what we've heard during our research for the past 14 years . . . Fred

Bears can be interesting to very very dangerous. I encountered a large Black Bear while hiking in the woods alone last year in the Nantahala National Forest just below the Albert Mountain fire tower near Franklin N.C. He was running straight at me, but did not see me because of some brush that blocked his view. When it was obvious that he was gonna run right over me I clapped my hands because I couldn't think of anything else to do. He stopped in his tracks, maybe 100 ft away, did a very quick 180 and beat feet. Only after he was abt 100 yards away did he stop. He stood up, took a look and then ran over a ridge line - end of encounter.
Here in the N.C. mountains most encounters seem to end this way. I have many friends who hike a lot. Some have encountered bears, and all meetings have ended this way. Bears are hunted here and most have a learned fear of humans.
Bears that are attracted by careless humans are another matter. Leave food out at a camp site and you are asking for trouble. If a bear is around - you may just attract him / her. Once they are successful at finding food they will associate people with a meal, and be a continual problem. In worst case scenarios people get hurt. There have been a couple of cases in / near the Great Smoky National Park over the last decade that were serious. In one case a bear ran right into a family gathering in a well attended picnic area and grabbed a child with obvious ill intent. A very brave dad intervened and saved the child. In another case a woman fishing alone was killed.
Word to the wise. Bears are big, powerful animals. Don't play with fire and PLEASE don't feed them.

my mom told me bears are vegitarians and to wear a pork chop around my neck ????

Bears are omnivorous mammals. Don't wear a pork chop around your neck

Even if they don't want you for dinner, they won't remove the pork chop politely.