Make yourself as big as possible by waving your arms and finding high ground. Read this post and learn tips on how you can counter bear attacks! Offensive black bear attacks are extremely rare and usually occur in remote areas where bears have very little exposure to people. “Punch it, kick it, do everything you can to get that animal off you." ; Don't: Approach, surround, or corner a bear: Bears aggressively defend themselves when they feel threatened. Most of the time, a black bear has no interest in engaging with people; the bears that do, more often than not, are those habituated to human garbage or handouts. Usually, if a black bear attacks you, it’s an offensive attack." Walk away slowly, if the bear is not approaching. Bear attacks are rare; most bears are only interested in protecting food, cubs, or their space. Mama bears are very protective. However, basic understanding of bear behavior will help keep people safe and bears out of trouble. If a bear starts to follow you, you should drop something behind you as a distraction. Brown bear incidents have occurred in their native range spanning Alaska, Northern and Western Canada, and portions of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. Black bears are shy and timid. Bear attacks are of particular concern for those who are in bear habitats. If a bear approaches, make some noise. What To Do When Encountering a Black Bear. If you run into a bear, stay calm and do not run away. Bear attacks are certainly scary, but If you are confronted by a black or grizzly bear, don't panic. While it may seem odd, a bear on its hind legs may not be aggressive - it may simply be trying to identify what you are. read more Usually, if a black bear attacks you, it’s an offensive attack." Speak softly to it and back away slowly. Be loud, wave your arms, and stand your ground. They have black fur, which looks black, when you see it. "If you’re attacked, your best defense is to fight back with everything you’ve got,” Stiver said. NEVER run from a bear. Leave slowly: Cautiously back away from the bear and leave the area. If you end up inside that defensive perimeter, which may be anywhere from ten to fifty feet wide, you are likely to experience a combination of highly intimidating behaviors, including: the squared-off lip or long face; jaw popping; huffing; swatting; and false-charging. Campers’ Tips On What To Do When A Bear Attacks. Black bear attacks on humans are rare but often begin as scuffles with dogs, experts say The dog may run to its owner for protection as the bear follows close behind. Annapolis, Md (KM) Attacks by black bears on humans are very rare, but they do happen. Although bears are large and powerful animals, a wild Minnesota black bear is normally shy and scared of people – even bears that are two to three times heavier than an average person. Black bears are black. There are a couple of things you need to understand first. The accommodating black bear. Begin spraying when … Nor do mother black bears attack to defend cubs. If the bear charges, stand your ground (you cannot outrun it). That's according to Harry Spiker, the State Black Bear Biologist with the Maryland Department … Attacks by black bears are extremely rare. If you are sure the bear attacking is a mother who is protecting its cubs, play dead. The first thing to point out here is that bear attacks of any kind are incredibly rare – black bears try their best to avoid people. Black Bear Attacks Are Very Uncommon. Bear Attacks. If you encounter a grizzly, do not run. If you see a black bear on the trail or at your campsite, you should stop whatever you’re doing and assess the situation. But if you do run into a bear, here are some tips. "If you’re attacked, your best defense is to fight back with everything you’ve got,” Stiver said. However, being mentally prepared can help you have the most effective reaction. Fearful, unnecessary advice about what to do, or not do, when a person sees a bear is often given by well meaning people. Attacks are extremely rare despite what people do. “Know what to do when you see a bear. If it’s a grizzly, remain still and calm. They can be fatal and often hikers, hunters, fishers, and others in bear country take precautions against bear attacks. Bears do have a strong sense of personal space – a distance that varies from bear to bear from which they won’t back down. The department says most black bears shy away from people. If it is a black bear, gather together, stand tall and make lots of noise. Bears are magnificent creatures and it can be exciting to see one—from an appropriate distance. If you ever see bear cubs, get out of the area immediately. In that case, fight. Compared to polar bears and brown bears, black bears are much less likely to attack. If they do, fight back with a stick, a backpack, similar available items, or your bare hands. Fatal black bear attacks are extremely rare. Speak in a low, confident voice, and avoid screaming or high-pitched sounds. There is no single safety strategy applicable to every encounter, and bear behavior is not always predictable. If you run into a black bear on a mountain trail, be grateful for your good fortune. what to do if bear attacks. Black Bear Attacks . Typically a bear is more afraid of humans. Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner buy $30M Florida property Every situation is different, but below are guidelines on how brown bear attacks can differ from black bear attacks. Use noise to scare bears away: Yell, clap, or bang pots immediately upon sighting a bear near your campsite. Get physical. Bear attacks rarely happen but if they do, what can you do to survive them? Black bears rarely become aggressive when encountered. If a black bear is more than a few yards away, it hardly matters. The attacks I’ve researched aren’t from sick bears, or bears on the edge, they are the result of bears being bears. Fatal bear attacks in North America have occurred in a variety of settings. We can’t be surprised when bears do what they do. If you have pepper spray, use it. We've hiked hundreds of miles in the North Carolina mountains and have only seen bears a few times - always running from us! If you do encounter a bear, remain calm and remember that the bear is likely more scared of you than you are of him. They do not attack humans to defend territory. Avoid direct eye contact. They are typically more scared of us than we are of them, and will run off if they see a human. Black bear attacks are rare, the Humane Society of the United States noted. Actual attacks by black bears are rare. To avoid or survive an attack, first, never go into bear country without a deterrent—either bear spray or firearms. A bear attack is an attack by any mammal of the family Ursidae, on another animal, although it usually refers to bears attacking humans or domestic pets. Bear spray is the best option in case of a bear attack, according to experts. Black Bear Safety Reminders Injurious black bear encounters and attacks are extremely rare in California, but they have occurred. If the attack escalates and a black bear (or any bear that appears to have been stalking you) physically contacts you, fight back with anything that is available to you. Do not run from a black bear or play dead if one approaches.” In rare cases, black bears can attack. Punch and kick. If a black bear attacks, fight back by kicking it in the face and muzzle. Stay calm: Walk slowly and speak in a loud and calm voice. If the bear doesn’t back off and — worst-case scenario — moves in for the attack, “do everything you can to get that animal off you,” Stiver said. Here's how to react if you ever see a bear in the wild. In general, if a black bear attacks, it's to eat you. Remember that the bear is probably more scared of and startled by you than vice versa. It is also important to determine whether the animal is a black bear or a grizzly. When bears do attack they are usually defending cubs or a food source; these attacks are avoidable and typically involve only minor injuries. Attacks by black bears on people are very rare and most black bears can be easily scared away with the following approach: Stand and face the bear … However, it’s best to avoid bear encounters, and to know what to do if an encounter happens (keep reading). Black bears tend to be more timid than grizzlies and fighting back may scare the bear off. Wild black bears do kill about two people a year in North America, nearly all of the fatalities involving male bears hunting us for food. Fight back! Get Big and Loud, but Never Run. Why do bears attack humans? In that case, fight. 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