Sharing Our Backyard

 This little blurb was inspired by an above average season of bear sightings for me.  After only seeing a handful of black bears on my hiking, fishing and hunting excursions in years past, I have seen more than average this year.  Between hiking, fishing and driving, I have come across nine different bears.  After a few of the encounters got me within 20 feet of the bear, I felt I needed to brush up on my knowledge and tactics for when I see a bear.  Here are the key things to remember:

Black bear I encountered on one of our private venues along the Eagle River

• Use common sense!  Don’t feed them and don’t give them a reason to get near you.
• If traveling into bear country, expect to encounter a bear.
• Create noise while walking to alert the bears in the area of your presence.
• If you see a bear, speak calmly so the bear can identify you as a human.  Back away from the bear slowly, maintaining sight on the bear.
• Never back a bear into a corner.  Some signals that you are too close:
• The bear making popping noises with its jaw
• The bear swatting the ground
• Do not make direct eye contact, rather just keep the bear in your indirect sight.
• DO NOT RUN.  The bear will outrun you anyways, so don’t try. 
• If a bear stands up, this is not a sign he is about to attack.  He is simply trying to get a better smell or view.
• Back away slowly, creating more distance between you and the bear.

If the bear charges you:

•  Most likely the charge will be a bluff charge.  This is meant to intimidate you and give you a chance to get out of there. 
• Continue to back away slowly.

If the bear makes contact:

• Fight back with anything you can get your hands on.  Binoculars, sticks, rocks, etc.  At this point fighting back is the last resort.

Same black bear sniffing the air

Remember, having a black bear actually attack you is incredibly rare!  Here are a few more stats:

• A person is 180 times more likely to be killed by bees and160,000 times more likely to die in a car accident.
• Bears eat mostly berries, nuts, grasses, carrion and insect larva.
• Can swim, run and climb incredibly well.
• Can run up to 35mph.
• Range from 125 – 600 pounds, on average.
• Give birth to 2-3 cubs every other year.
• Can live to be 25 years old (18 year old average).
• Are typically shy and will run away from any human.