WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A BLACK BEAR !!!
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- čas přidán 12. 06. 2024
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Hello, If you SUBSCRIBE to this channel you will get videos that are about Hiking the Appalachian Trail, Tips on Trail Life, Full-time RV Living and camping. I am honored that you are watching my video and look forward to hearing from you and some of your ideas for future content that you would like for me to cover in the videos.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A BLACK BEAR.....Hello, I hope this video is helpful to anybody that has any questions about encountering black bears on the trail. Enjoy hiking and don't forget to pack your camera.
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Hello, If you SUBSCRIBE to this channel you will get videos that are about Hiking the Appalachian Trail, Tips on Trail Life, Full-time RV Living and camping. I am honored that you are watching my video and look forward to hearing from you and some of your ideas for future content that you would like for me to cover in the videos.
I don't think I'd shut up if I saw a bear be excited be talking to it lol there beautiful
what would happen if the human made the popping noise to the bear? would he take that as a challenge or would he respect it and run off?
JUST PAINT IT WHITE BRUH!
@@melissatodd1135 *they're 🤯✌
Wow! I really enjoyed this video you did! I live in Michigan and my daughter has seen a black bear hanging around her house on and off the past 2 years. I'm thinking bear spray is needed. I have 2 grandsons who play outside. This Grandma is protective of her baby cubs😁
If it’s black, fight back
If it’s brown, lie down
If it’s white, goodnight!
XAsInXylophone could you explain further?
@@cra2690 a saying on how to deal with bears, pretty much saying your chances
Kick it in the puce or balzzz
@@cra2690 He said you got a 98% chance with a blackbear, a 50/50 chance with a grizzly, a 0% chance with a polar bear.
Im irish and we dont have bears anymore , but the thought of seeing a grizzly and just laying down and acting like a carcass is so crazy to me. i dont think i could resist my instinct to run and climb.
I don't know why I'm watching this and why I'm listening to every word so intensely as I live in London! The only bear I might bump into is Paddington Bear.
Avi Gold well thank you very much for watching please subscribe to my channel I heard that those Paddington bears can get angry
well, I heard there are also pedobears in London, stay safe.
The only bear i might bump into in my country is my dad
Or at the pub , I hear there are lots of beers there.
Avi Gold am I a joke to you??? 😂
I grew up in Grand County, in the rocky mountains. My experience with black bears was nothing to worry about. They are generally really peaceful wild animals when it comes to humans. They would come around every night during certain times of the year. At 13-14 years old I was within feet of them on many occasions and they mostly just looked at me like "Hey, I'm just here to raid your trashcan, hope your nights going good." Granted they got a little too comfortable, one even left its cub at my house and went up the street while I was just sitting on the deck with it's cub... I was nervous as to how the mother would react when it got back, but she ended up being just fine with it. Now with that said, I'm not saying go out and make a black bear homie. They are wild animals after all, but if you're alone in the woods or even on a quiet mountain town street, a black bear is so much better to see than a set of glowing mountain lion eyes, or a brown bear. Side note, raccoons will steal your sandwiches.
I'm 73 yrs. old now and I've lived my entire life in some of the best bear country here in the mountains of Virginia. Some of my best roaming has been in the Appalachian Trail. Only two times have I heard a bear click its teeth at me; that time was when a cub climbed a tree right in front of me. The sow didn't charge but instead stood up on her two feet, shook her head now and again and as I said clicked her teeth. I talked to her gently and slowly backed away up the road I was on. Eventually I got well out of sight and that was that. Never saw either of them again.
I'd say that nine out of every ten bears I've seen have ran from me, but a bunch of them have stopped to take a look at me then depart.
I've also talked to a few of them. It seems to relax them.
i live in northern ontario in the summer and have run into many bears. i also talk to them and i think it does calm them. most run away when they see you. i think the ones that don't have their babies around somewhere.
I was hiking in Tennessee and the mama and her cub were on the trail walking toward me and the cub just ran up to me, sniffed me, and ran back to it's mom after she made some kind of call at her cub. The mom picked her cub up and walked of the trail down into the valley very calmly. Almost as if she was telling her cub "Why the hell would you go up to him!? He could've killed you or something." "But mom...he looked fun..." Meanwhile I'm there like 'O Lord who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thine son is coming home to You today...'
We must be related. You have no idea how many crazy things like that has happened to me. Miracle im alive.
One time my glasses were broken and couldnt see well. I went to pet a doggie i seen walking next thing i know my husband pushing me out of way like what the hell you doing thats a bear. Yes i tried to pet a bear cub. Thank god mama didnt kill me
Yea both of you are straight 🧢
That is adorable, scary, and hilarious.
@@froggergypsy4596 This is both terrifying and adorable! xD
I just pretend I'm bear hunting.
I won't see one damn bear.
For sure
LOL. That's funny. More often than not it's also true.
You know that's right...! 🙄🤔🤣
Ain't that the damn truth.
Seems to work with deer also
Considering all of my black bear encounters I agree whole heartedly with what you have said. One thing I would add though is to watch out for odd behavior from a mature bear, indecisiveness, appears nervous, doesn't know what to do kind of thing. When I observed this while cycling with a group I got everyone to stop about 100m away, we watched the bear for 30 seconds or so and suddenly a cub popped out from the other side of the road, we all raced back up that hill getting away in pretty much record time!
I always talk to the bears when I see them in a very calm voice. We size each other up for a bit and if he / she's off to the side of the trail that I'm on and their just happy picking berries or watchin what the silly human is doing I continue at a normal walking pace along the trail while talking to the bear.
Closest that I've been was a bear looking around the front bumper of my truck while I was unloading garbage and refuse at a small cottage area dump. I talked to the bear while I continued doing what I was doing and when I was done unloading I looked at the bear and said, "well big fella, I gotta go, are you going to let me into the truck to leave or what?" I took one or two slow steps towards him and my door, totally in a non-threatening manner and he backed away and headed for the bush.
yes, this exactly. I feel like when we talk they actually try to translate what we're saying. It, possibly, perplexes them ... not sure. But they do get tripped-up on language just a tad. like regular talking (in the calm) no yelling
Back in the early 1990s i was moving into a condo out in the sticks of Western Massachusetts. It was a big old three story Victorian house divided into six condo units. My unit was the entire top level. Anyway, i was lugging up boxes of stuff from my girlfriend's little S-10 pickup truck. It was a warm summer night, the truck was parked in a dark parking lot next to a dumpster. I heard something or someone rustling around near the dumpster. I paid very little attention to that because i had a job to do. I walked right past the dumpster a few times bring those boxes in and up to the third floor. At one point i was coming back down the stairs and ran into one of my new neighbors.
He asked me: "Did you see the size of that bear?" The thing is i didn't see the bear, but apparently, he was right there in the or by the dumpster while i walked back and forth by him a half dozen times. At that point, i decided to wait til daylight to finish unloading the truck. I did see the bear a couple times in the daylight after that. He would come by because sometimes that dumpster was a source of food. He was a big boy. He had to be at least 3 to 400 pounds.
One morning my son alerted me that there were bears in the old dumpster. Back then i had one of those old Sony VHS camcorders. We went down to the front porch to video the bears. I still have that and other videos somewhere. In the dumpster was the big guy and two smaller younger adult or juvenile bears. On the video i captured the big guy holding and tipping a wine bottle to lap up the little bit that was still in it. And he carefully set it down on the ground standing upright. Just a few minutes later a neighbor's small dog came charging the dumpster barking aggressively. All three bears skedaddled out of the dumpster and off into the woods.
We saw him one more time from a window of the condo. He came to visit the yard alone this time. He just found a spot on the front lawn where he just sat down and relaxed for a while. A friend had stopped by to visit, and he was just about to leave. But he decide to just hang out until the bear moved on instead. Eventually, the bear did move on, and that was the last time i saw him. There was a State Forest nearby, and people reported seeing a large black bear there a few times. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same bear. I imagine they do a lot of wandering in search of food. A park with camping and picnic areas by a lake would be another good spot for him to visit.
They do warn you you just have to pay attention to their actions.
@@tinaradlowski2184 Yes. As long as they don't see you as food, they will warn you with sounds and behaviors.
@@tonyprice2256 It begs the question what if the bear is not disuaded to run/walk away even after the guidelines are followed. The man offered some helpful hints, but a 5% risk of unfriendly bear hugs, remains a source of fear. A hike without bear spray is like a day w/o sunshine. He contradicted himself at first saying don't run away. That excites a bear & he/she is hardwired to chase, catch, & kill. They run much faster so dont bring on the pain.
Later, he tells us to run hard, run fast if a bear starts making poping, smacking noises at you. He's really pissed q
It would also be helpful to explore different bear encounter scenarios such as what to do if the bear doesn't go away or follows you when you start backing away. Also what to do if the bear charges you. If you come across a more curious or aggressive bear, it is important to show strength to the bear. Meaning make yourself look big, make yourself louder, take a couple steps toward the bear while yelling, even look for something like a rock or a stick to throw at the bear. Yes, this is very effective and I've used that method multiple times with bear encounters. Animals sense fear and if you show you're not afraid, they will usually retreat. If you are in a very remote wilderness area and the bear continues to stalk you, it is because you are being hunted and it is intending to eat you. At that point you have to persistently do your best to get out of this dangerous situation and fight back all you can. Don't lay down and play dead. That only works when the bear sees you as a threat. If the bear is following/tracking you, it is likely the bear sees you as food.
Yeah I gotta agree with the person above me, if you yell or throw things at a griz for example, it's gonna charge. And you can fight back all you want, it won't go your way. Most bears do not stalk humans for food, but more out of curiosity, back away and make noise. Let the bear know you see them. Fighting back is something you should only apply to black bears if they charge alone and you have no other option. Fighting a grizzly will only open up your good bits.
Yes, do not show fear but DO NOT BE AGRESSIVE. You can shoo a curious black bear by being commanding, just like you would with a dog: "GET!"
You can do some things to confuse and intimidate, like taking your jacket off and swinging it around. They won't know what to make of it and will think twice about approaching.
If that doesn't work, you can grab a large stick/log and bash it against a tree. This will display your capability without directly threatening.
If that fails, then you might throw rocks or large sticks.
It is extremely unlikely that a black bear would be stalking someone though. If that is the case, the bear is desperate and you should not stand your ground. You still don't want to show fear or aggression but you need to get the hell outta there and always keep that bear in your sight.
Yes a black bear will usually flee before risking a fight but don't count on it. Aggression is a challenge, not a warning.
Anyone can translate 'I am not food!' into bear? Would hate to yell in a language the bear doest know
Bears have extraordinary abilities to pick up your scent from a great distance and their sense of smell is better than sight for tracking. So indeed if you’re being stalked as prey, it probably is because you’re the entree on the dinner menu.
@@grizzlyblackpowder1960t
I had a similar encounter with a squirrel once, the trick is to stay calm.
do not take off your backpack! try to appear larger than the squirrel!
Subbed
Some fella made big bucks singing about a squirrel that went berserk in a church!
@lilMissE I wouldn't talk calling someone a loser and trying to be funny... looking maybe but that's about it lilmessE. Lol. Next time if you ever go hiking remember that some of the info on here is incorrect actually you could lay down when encountering a black bear or stoop down.. but wait you're already stooped down in life by being a lowlife bully cause you yourself have no talent, originality, beauty or brains so go please lay down when you see a blk bear lol and have a good day and go fuck yourself lol
@lilMissE thanks for proving my point about you being dim. yes idk shit about bears lol it's a thing called sarcasm genius. really made me laugh. And I'm not commenting anymore so please don't be sad that I won't reply lol
Note to self , when a bear starts beatboxing , don’t try and rap over it .
First instinct 😂
I have never been afraid of much.The thing I fear, is being ignorant in a dangerous situation. That "Popping" thing is worth its weight in gold. Thank you..its information like this that is life saving. Safe travels.
Northern Wisconsin here! Our black bears especially this year and over the past two years have become unusually bold and having more trouble with them. The last two nights I'm working in my fifth wheel camper in my woodsy backyard, spent the night in my camper and had a bear approach last two nights however last night was a bit more extreme. In Medford a couple months ago a law enforcement officer and his wife had a bare encounter in the backyard and Mama Bear went right through their window to get at them chewed them up a little bit until he shot the bear in the house. More campers are experiencing bears, black bears, who are unusually bold and they return more aggressive. I've never known black bear to be as bold as they have become recently.
No food....destruction of natural habitat thanks to geoengineering going on....Look Up....!! The wild berries and insect life such as grubs are being decimated...as a result there is more desperation in the wildlife population.
I agree last yr and I live in Colorado in a small mountain town we had a unusual large amount of bears close to my apartment complex I mean it was a every day thing day and night and some would walk right up to you and we had several minor bear attacks one guy lounging in his hammock had one bite his arm it was superficial wounds but are local bear expert did a class on bear safety due to all the bear sitings and encounters I learned a lot it was helpful but you just never know so I'm scared but I have a Chihuahua who I have to take out early morning so I was seeing bears every day sometime two or three times a day and up close to,
Do you think it's because they might be associating humans with food (like when people don't secure their garbage or tourists giving food)?
I'm not sure ... but I do know that more of their natural habitat is being disturbed in so many ways.
Likely a number of reasons.
@@raveninavaniam9438 yeah that's there as well
the best way to survive a bear encounter when hiking is to always take someone with you who does not run as fast as you run.
😂
Oh boy
Hilarious!!
Mother-in-laws like to hike.
Q + How can you tell if ts a black bear or a grizzly which is going to eat you after you run up a tree. / A= If its a black bear it climbs the tree to eat you, if it's a grizzly it pulls the tree down to eat you.
Just say "i need you to go" and when it's going say you're sorry and to have a nice day.
(Only works on canadian bears)
The MeanestKitten Good to know
@@William180 There's an actual video, The MeanestKitten is referring to. It's called "The most Canadian way to get rid of bears". /watch?v=6O33JRDumOM
You've seen the finnish way? That's not as polite.
yea they are probably more polite
@@bills7115 You think?
czcams.com/video/z7_pVrIshxA/video.html
I love bears they are intelligent, curious and fun to watch
I have extensive backcountry experience. The one thing I like and trust most about the person making this video - he’s humble enough to know what he doesn’t know (i.e. grizzly bears). I’m the same way about the hikes I plan. People without this trait take a lot of unnecessary risks.
I've actually run into a Black Bear and she was chomping on berries. She looked at me and I looked at her. I said " it's cool" and slowly backed away. She was totally fine with it.
Nice
They certainly are not looking for trouble, just dinner.
she probably was canadian
Black bears don’t attack if you get too close to there cubs or you get too close to them they will attack you for self-defense decides that they want to much
@benjovi55 black bear lives matter
The cub grabbing just one more apple before running was absolutely adorable.
Grizzly is a whole different bear attitude.
Great video! I’m in central MN and came across a mama black bear and her two cubs when I was out trail running. I was cruising down a hill, rounding a corner, and BOOM, mama was right there on the trail with her two babies in a tree. My heart stopped for a second, I was so taken aback! Dang near blew my knee out from the screeching halt I came to! I calmly put both hands up, as if I were under arrest, didn’t make eye contact, and slooooowly backed away. It took a lot of willpower to not turn and RUN, but that wouldn’t have done me any favors. My friends always make fun of me for carrying bear spray around here because sightings are very rare in the metro, but this experience justified my purchase 😆 Thankfully I didn’t have to use it, but it gives me peace of mind to be prepared!
Right, I don’t know how u wouldn’t run. It’s crazy to me to just sit there and chill. I could never.
This is the way I feel here in Florida when I'm on a hike and see a very large alligator. Stunning animals that will almost always ignore you and/or run away, but every once in awhile you come across an aggressive one in a shitty mood.
So true.... I am scared to death of alligators. I can hike with Moose, Bears, Mountain Lions and Bison......Hiking along the river banks of Florida scare me to death. Respect... Keep in touch
@@William180 I start my AT thru-hike on March 16, I'm about to binge on all of your AT videos. I started following you on IG, too 👍
I’m from Florida. You’ve seen aggressive alligators on land? I feel like gators aren’t looking for trouble on land. I definitely have not seen that but maybe I’m not out on FL trails enough.
@@matthewgodwin4626 I'm also from Florida and yes, every once in awhile, alligators can get aggressive on land (mostly mothers protecting their nests). They can run around 30-35mph and are surprisingly good climbers. I've known several people like William 180 who prefer large mammals up North (everything's "up North" to us here, isn't it? lol) to all the crazy creatures we have here in FL
My friend was attacked by a gator last yr. While we were out kayaking in a wide river. It was unprovoked, unnerving and very weird. She survived w/ puncture wounds on her arm and mental/emotional trauma.
How to tell a black bear from a grizzly.
If a bear climbs up a tree after you, it`s a black bear.
If the bear pushes over the tree you are in, it`s a grizzly!
Dude the joke goes do you know how to tell if a black bear or a grizzly bear is chasing you you climb a tree if the bear climbs the tree and kills you it was a black bear if it stands on the bottom and Shakes You Out and kills you it was a grizzly bear
If you like hunting jokes here's a good one if people are talking about hunting accidents you say I accidentally shot one of my hunting partners and he died we did take him to the doctor the doctor said well guys you know he probably would have survived if you hadn't gutted him too
Here's another good hunting joke if you're hunting elk bring some Milk Duds or some mothballs those round chocolate candies drop them on the ground when no one's looking and then say hey look here some elk poop pick one up pop it in your mouth and say it's really fresh the elk is pretty close now
@@oldcountryboy A ranger once told me to always carry pepper spray and little bells on your gear to scare bears off. He also said you should look at the bear scat around you so you know what kind of bears are there. Black bear scat might contain a little fur, seeds and berries while grizzly scat has little bells in it and smells like pepper.
@@brooklynsandman yeah I know I don't carry pepper spray I like my friend 357 Magnum never had to shoot one though
I am in the mountains in Colorado living in my truck camper this video will be of great help
I've had the same experiences with bears here in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Had a mama bear approach me while growling and quickly figured out that her babies were about 30 feet from me in a bush. I didn't know they were there until she warned me to get the hell back. I retreated slowly backwards until I couldn't see her anymore and took off on a fast walk the hell out of there.
DONT TURN YOUR BACK ON A BEAR OR ANY WILD ANIMAL
100% correct, if you back up don't even stare at it directly. Wave you arms, look big and talk in a calm loud voice.
At these situations I just like to count numbers from 1 to 10 and further loud.
@@MML996 There are a lot of myths and just plain bad information that's ended up on park fliers that unfortunately gets repeated over and over. One of them is this nonsense about "Not looking them in the eye". This applies to Jane Fossey's Gorillas.and not challenging the head Silverback. IT has nothing whatsoever to to with North American Black Bears. I am in the woods almost every day as my wife does bird photography. During June (the mating month) and August (the month they fatten up) I often come across them on the trail. I always look them in the eye, stay calm and talk softly to them. They don't know what you are saying but they recognize from your tone you are not a threat. They usually leave or resume their activity after you aleviate their anxiety.
@@josephshields2922 Does your wife take pictures of eagles?
@@josephshields2922 good to hear your opinion.
"If you see a black bear just throw off your pack, charge it, and punch it in the face. It's just a black bear; you can take it."
-Jack Daniel's
Moral of the story: Don't drink and hike.
Wow
I got one better don't drink at all.
@@1ofhis518 i drink because of CZcams comments like this
TheNotoriousCheeto rofl
I’m a kid so I don’t think that would be good advise for me
I’m watching this video because half an hour ago I saw a black bear on my yard. Actually my security camera warn me. I live next to Appalachian trail we do have black bears here. This video improved my knowledge about the black bear. Thank you.
This is the BEST VIDEO about black bears and safety that I've seen yet!! So informative!!
Just start calmly talking to the bear, tell him something like, “I’m just going to go put some quarters in the meter, I’ll be right back.” They understand this and will wait there for you. I have used this method and it works.
Okay then...... Keep in touch
A long time ago I was walking my dog, and I came face to face with a black bear. He was in some bushes, I stayed calm, pushed the bushes back in place, and slowly backed away. I was about 150 yards from my house. I distracted my dog and slowly headed home. I will never forget that day!
Kelly Keefe Amazing story keep in touch
Um, distracted your dog. He would have smelled the bear, sweetie.
Thank you for being very honest and informative, I encounter many back bears on some of my work sites and they are still new creatures to me.
Thank you so much for this passionate explanation. I love your demeanor brother. I am going solo into the grand mesa national forest for the 3rd time this week. This information is most valuable, and you look damn reliable. Thank you
Thank you very much my brother for watching... make sure you stay in touch.
It’s true 99% of black bears will get out of the way of humans. But there can be that one very hungry bear that might be old or not getting enough to eat then he will stock you and eat you. I’ve known of this to happen in Alaska many times. In all the years I lived and roamed around the woods there I only had one encounter with a very aggressive bear. He didn’t live through the experience but if I weren’t armed I suppose I could have become his dinner.
He will "stock" me? Where exactly? In the meat department? Snacks? I need to know these things man don't leave me hanging!!!
Apathetic Display haha sorry. Stalk you just before he eats you. Bears can’t spell either.
@@BamaMatters11 Grammar police are so unBEARable.
I encountered a small black bear in Tennessee there were a lot of people behind me and the bear was walking towards the path then ran across it really fast when he noticed people.
Muskie Angler haha I’m an old Alaskan and I don’t much give a rats a** about grammar much less worry about grammar police. At least I didn’t become bear food.
If i encounter a black bear, i don't make any racist comments to piss him off.
Norm Hodgkinson .
I just call them bears..Not Blacklabel..
Do not say "black bear"! More politically correct would be "bear of color"
@@ironheadfm yes, that would be correct, but i am sick to death of that f __ing political correct BS. i just say whats on my mind, people can like it or not, i don't give a rats ass.
blm=Bear Lives Matter !
@@ITILII Yes they do ! and probably more-so than . . . . . . well, you know.
Great video and great attitude. I recently moved to an area that has a lot of black bears and I go hiking so I wasn’t sure what to expect what was needed but this video was very helpful. I loved the way you told the story of the baby bear grabbing an apple before skipping away and following mama. Too cute. Thanks so much for the great content William :) 🧸
Situational awareness is key. One night at sunset I walked into a Gulley and was looking just at the ground. Some movement caught my eye and I looked up to realize I was 3 ft away from a full grown standing black bear. As soon a we made eye contact he looked away and I took my chance to exit. Think my feet were already moving. I guess we surprised each other or the fact I walked rt up to him confused him. Either way I was extremely lucky and always bring a flash light and fun in case life happens. Scares the shit out of me every time I think about being mauled in that dark gully . Guardians were working overtime that day.
I always wear bells when hiking to keep the bears away. I know if you come across some bear dung and it's smell sweet that is black bear as they like fruits and berries if you come across some with bells in it than that is a Grizz
Look up the tigers who tracked the nomadic tribes. The people were attacked by tigers so they started banging pots and pans as they traveled which scared the Tigers away. Pretty soon the Tigers figure it out that pots and pans banging was a dinner bell. Lol
In my area I jingle my lure on my fishing pole. Sounds like a dog collar kinda. But its a 50/50 bet because you know the saying, " curiosity killed the cat". We've got cougars here too.
I heard that you should just toss them your picnic basket! Works for Yogi and BooBoo!
Ah bear bells, the most successful con scheme in America.
I always run while screaming like a dying rabbit.
A man just got eaten in Prescott, AZ today. That's crazy. I don't even go to Phoenix without a gun.
Wow
Good info , Thx . I like your honesty at the end and throughout . Happy trails, Sir .
I shouted expecto petronum at a bear in NH and he ran the hell away . The next day my then girlfriend proposed to me. We have been married 10 years . True story .
Greg W wow
Wtf
That's a king move. I would've married you too and I'm not even gay.
S imp
@@scott1853 that's debatable...
Seeing a bear of any color doesn’t bother me, it’s a horny Bigfoot that I’m worried about!
LOL
Great information. Thanks William
I have been hiking, backpacking, more, for some 40 years. I agree with every single thing you say. I've even seen a mom and cubs, to a side, she just sort of looked at me as the kids were happily playing, climbing a nearby tree. Almost every black bear I've seen either runs off, or once it sees/smells you, and sees you're not a threat, ignores you.
I've seen one brown bear in the Sierras from a bit of a distance. It headed the other direction. I saw another raiding a campground where people left food out. I talked to a backcountry ranger from the southern Sierras who had seen several brown bears. She mostly treated them the same as black bears, but she did say on a moderately travelled trail deep in the forest one time she and another ranger had 3 brown bears follow them from about 100' away for a while. They were apparently wondering if the rangers would drop food, make a mistake and leave something yummy behind. Unnerving, if not threatening.
Never seen a grizzly in the wild, though I did see tracks in the Gallatin National Forest in Montana. That was close enough for me.
Never seen a polar bear, don't want to.
I observed one important thing over and above the great information you gave is the us of situational awareness, constantly checking 360 as you progress down the trail. This posture is what I use no matter where I travel forest or city streets. Thank you!
I survived a black bear in the middle of the night while sleeping. Thanks to my deaf dog who leaped and starting scrapping gave enough of a time to get up and charge back at the bear. Eventually the bear charged 3 or 4 and I stood my ground with a ax swinging. Once a bear a decides to attacks its hard to change their mind
One of the intense nights out camping for me!!
WOW
The few times I’ve encountered bears was in the Smoky Mountains. The bears glanced at me and immediately ran away uphill. The ones I saw in the early 1990s looked so thin. There were a number of years where the mast crop was short and the bears were searching for food. Most times, a black bear will hear you and take off long before you even have a chance to see them.
thank you for your wisdom, this video gave me so much perspective.
Don't take a selfie with a black bear.
YEA DON'T TAKE SELFIE WITH BEAR OR FART UP WIND LOL
IF YOUR FART SMELL LIKE ROTTEN EGGS IN THE FOREST, MIGHT SMELL GOOD TO BEARS AND WOLVES.
@@FUNKBOOGIE1 you seem to be a 12 year old with too much sugar and a broken caps button
@@MrFriendlyCsgoContent ? look who talking
😂😂😂🤣
No bugs, no people. I like the way you think.
Just make sure you have the gear for colder weather..... Colorado was unseasonable chilly for the middle of September, but it was still a lot of fun....
Same reason I like to hike in winter. It's scary to encounter a person on the trail it's like the wild west out there
We live in Vancouver, Canada and we see black bears all the time. Our house is against the mountains and it’s common for them to walk past or be at our sons school. This is good advice that’s shared in this video. I agree with all of it.
My Mom lives in PoCo, she has black bears in her yard every year. They're not dangerous if you understand them.
My mom and her husband were camp hosts at Glacier NP. She sent me some souvenirs, including bear bells that are worn while hiking. I was thinking they could be construed as a dinner bell. 😄
I was out deer hunting, my wife and children stayed in camp. That afternoon a black bear, bout 350 pounds, came into camp. I fired a shot into the air and it ran off. It hid behind a tree, 10" diameter and peeked around one side and then the other. It figured there was no reason to be scared and started walking toward us. My wife and children were behind me. I fired another shot and it stood on its rear legs and held its forelegs up a bit. It then got back on all four legs and was coming toward us again. I shot a tree when it went by and splattered the bear's face with bark. It turned and ran uphill with great speed.
It came back that night and looked inside our SUV's rear window, it seemed safer than sleeping in our tent. I aimed the rifle at its head, had my children cover their ears and open their mouths. My wife crawled forward and started the engine, the bear went away.
People that believe bears are friendly are fools. They are wild and hungry and love to eat easy food. If they become acclimated to being fed by people their natural fear goes away.
Very well said....thank you for sharing that story. Thank you for watching my video and please keep in touch.
You were very patient and calm, that's admirable. It's always essential to remember that when we're in a black bears, that they get the right of way, we're just camping, or spending time in the woods... but that's where they live... and we have to take responsibility to not have food laying around, which is usually the biggest problem... we present a huge temptation for an animal trying to locate food.
Thats why you never leave food where it can attract them AND especially dont feed them as some idiots do!
100% accurate, I live in north western NJ where we have a huge black bear population as a result of increased hunting restrictions ... they are more and more used to humans, thus less timid and aggressive
Someone just got attached two weeks ago
They are not “wild”! They are generally predictable. “The most dangerous thing you can encounter in the woods is another human”
As I’m watching this, my ring floodlight sent me a notification ... black bear in backyard ...
Grey Goose 4x4 that is amazing..... good stuff... keep in touch
Thank you so much for your support and knowledge 🙏
Love this video. Thank you for posting!!!
who only eats half of the snickers
I was actually just thinking that!
It happens to me. I try to eat 4 and can only get 3 1/2 down.
@@umyes4944 lol
@@umyes4944 😀
I just make sure I take someone with me that I can out run problem solved
That could work to .......I guess. LOL...Thank you for watching my video.
The bear might be hungrier than you think!
that works unless you have bacon in you pocket
LMAO 😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@bills7115 slow guy always carries the bacon. common knowledge
Thanks for the info...very helpful.
Was playing golf in Lake Tahoe last year and about to hit my second shot off the fairway when a brown mother bear and her two cubs just walked out in front and sat by the ball lol. They couldn't have cared less that I was there, but I stayed well enough away in the trees until they moved on. Was so awesome seeing them roll around and play on the fairway.
I used to love hiking in bear country, looking for cubs to pet. They are so cute and cuddly. These days, I enjoy watching videos about bears from the comfort of my wheelchair.
Keep in touch my friend....
Good content, appreciate the honesty of your knowledge with different types of bear. It was surprising to me that data shows that blackbear are actually more predatory than grizzly. Very rare but seems to be true. I personally myself would never hike the AT unarmed. More about the 2 leg predators.
Frank Spitzer Very well said my friend keep in touch thank you....
Maybe fake data
@@johnbaily8455
Fake data sure didn’t apply for the fatally mauled sleeping, camping man three weeks ago in Prescott, AZ.🌎🇺🇸🥹🥲💔
West of the high plains, “black” bears come in other colors, including brown, cinnamon and even white. My first encounter with a cinnamon colored bear hiking near our home near Estes Park in the Colorado Rockies really startled me even though I knew there were no grizzlies in that part of the state. Bear ran off more startled than I was.
Depends on the season. All black bears are cinnamon in spring. Its called the "cinnamon stage".
Living at the foot of the Appalachian Trail I see them a lot. It’s wise to always keep your distance but usually they leave you alone. A loud noise or series of them usually spooks them. Black bears seem to be pretty twitchy.
Grizzlies on the other hand I categorize under the “well, might be screwed here” category.
We keep moving into their habitats and forcing them down to the base of mountains or even cities.
Very, very good video.
What to do when you encounter a black bear?
Me: run to a water hole to clean shit from pants.
Okay then... that is a differnt approach.
This just came up on my playlist, very good info. I live in a town with a lot of black bears and a lot of hiking trails so you can imagine that sooner or later you will encounter one. Our nearest outdoor supply sells "Bear Bells" , my husband and I each have one because as you say if they hear you they will usually run the other way. But sometimes you get an ornery one or a sow with cubs, then be careful, as we all know, do not get between mother and cubs and if you do by accident, slowly move away from cubs and start praying....loudly! I carry mace but to be honest I am more afraid of some of the freaks roaming the woods than I am animals. I was raised on how to live amongst the animals and respect them and don't be a Joe hero. Common sense will take you far, like a good pair of hiking boots.
Nicely said, thank you ......keep in touch
@@William180 Thank you, always a pleasure to speak with someone else who loves and respects the outdoor life!
The problem is if a human in the past tried to hunt it. If it's scared of humans it could potentially attack.
Great vid! Keep them coming you know them black en's. ! I'm. Learning and you be helping very good ! THANX !
Thank you for this valuable info. Appreciated.
Thank you. This is the best black bear advice I have seen on CZcams.
Ruth thank you very much and please keep in touch.
I encountered a baby bear on a mountain trail hour out of gatlinburg. Which really scared me because then my immediate thought was, oh no where is mom?! And your totally right he bolted as soon as he heard us crushing our water bottle.
That is a nice noise maker a crushed water bottle never thought of that... thank you for sharing.
Didn't think much of black bears so I kept cheese in a zip lock for a late night snack on a 10 day PCT hike. As I was setting up a California golden bear ran by, I was hiking close to the road and civilization so I though it was a golden retriever. It cam back an I suspect it wanted to do a dumpster dive on my tent, I got the tent between me and the bear and threw rocks, it clawed a log and left. I got into my tent and it cam back and it clawed another log, I had to get out and let him know I meant business, I didn't want an encounter while in the tent. When I got out it was heading over the hill done with the me, I left a flashlight hanging in my tent over night. No more smelly things like cheese on the menu, strictly dried item. Such encounters and a few close and long-range grizzly encounters makes doing a camp out or long hike by myself north of Yellow Stone, is not something I am too interested in, you let a black bear know you mean business they will back down in the lower 48 unless they have some rare problem causing it to stave or maybe cubs. Grizzlys and black bears further north (Yukon/Alaska) are the ones in these encounters that could mean and give the business to a hiker,
@@mykofreder1682 I hope it was a California Golden Bear, but you weren't actually in California. THAT ALONE would be extremely dangerous. Sick druggies, Democrats, etc. If they don't kill you, you'll die slowly from the diseases they'll spread to you.
Great presentation. Offers a kind of wholesome, nature perspective. Good energy.
That ! Is one of the most Amazing videos I've ever seen ! My friend, you are one lucky man !! 😁👍
Me in australia watching this:
spiders crocodile sharks snakes and venomous octopus: *am I a joke to you?*
JTC TV much respect to you my friend... I’m am scared of crocodiles / alligators....
William 180 you have survived bears in real life. Much respect to YOU good sir
JTC TV keep in touch my Australian friend.
Don't forget Dropbears
Well I walked out my front door the other day and it was standing 15 ft away. I turned and walk back inside, and he left so we both had so good day here in Appalachia.
Nice video. That shot with the cubs running after mama is iconic!
There is a case you had not covered. What led me to your video is that I just had a bear encounter. I made so many wrong moves. I was out in bear country alone. I had no backpack, no gear, and just the wallet and key in my pants. 2 minutes into the hike the corner of my eye catches a black bear 25 ft away, across a stream. It has to travel 50 ft to get to me. I yell HEY to get its attention. The bear starts approaching me. I made my next mistake which was to backup into the shrubs when it is about 40 ft away. I yell HEY again but it doesnt do anything.
Given the mistakes thus far and the situation I am in, what am I supposed to do at this point to get the bear to stop following me when yelling at it doesnt work. Should I even have yelled HEY in the first place to attract its attention or did it already know I was there? In the shrubs, I found a long fallen thin tree. I picked it up. The bear is now stopped at 15ft and looking in my direction, not making any sounds or movements. I yell HEY again. Nothing. I use the tree to rustle the branches of the trees above. The bear turns and jogs away.
As long as you didn’t turn tail and run it’s hard to say whether you did anything else right or wrong. Bottom line is that black bears aren’t looking to beef. If you run from any predator, though, you will trigger their pursuit instinct.
I had to end my hiking because the bear was blocking my path and refused to budge I turned around and headed back
I know this is going to get me in trouble with many hikers, I always hike with two dogs. I sleep in a tent and have used my food sack as a pillow many times. I was always in the belief that no black bear is going to ignore my two dogs and attack us for food. We were approached by a black bear on the AT near Max Patch at dusk. It didn't run away like the rest of the bears I've seen. It kept walking towards us, my boxer was going nuts, the bear didn't give a crap. Finally, my borzoi started snarling and started trying to get at it, the bear turned and walked in the other direction. The bear seemed too friendly and curious. Now, I tree my food sack.
@Mark ALWAYS tree sack your food 300-500 feet away.. it's the simplest known resolution do dealing with wildlife.. Want a black bear inviting itself in for breakfast? use a food pillow! lol seriously, always hang your food away from camp... It's the simplest way of thwarting most species that will mess with you in the night. Boyscouts 101.
Absolutely! and keep your pups on a leash...
Actually, having dog/s only value is alerting you to a bear, which is not necessarily a good thing especially if you let them roam free. They have and will bring a bear right back to you as a birthday present.
@@BPRescue True but dogs that are used to the woods and animals may change things, bears don't like wolfs so a barking dog can do the opposite, I think it have alot of variable to this matter.
I had an 11 pound spitz/pom that was fearless of black bears, while inside the house she would run them off as soon as she started to go nuts at them
I just love these sweeties. I once happened across 2 youngsters in the large garbage containers at a site in the Smoky Mountains where we'd camped one Easter. The folks I was with were from the first college I went to, nice 'suburban to a big city' people who were utterly benighted on the realities of wildlife, whether inculturated to humans or not. The town I'm from is basically in the country, and I've been in touch with "all things natural" since I was 4 years old. I loved and studied everything that lived 'outside!' Well, I never stopped trying to communicate with living creatures irrespective of whether I could see their ears or not. For example, I was hard pressed at 5 to find the ears (tympanus) on frogs, and though it took awhile, I eventually found them on the injured or baby birds I'd find and bring home to raise. (No, I didn't know until I studied Ornithology in University that baby birds out of their nests should be left exactly where they are and that their mothers will feed them from the ground.) Hey, I was 4 and 8 and 11 when I brought those birds home, how was I supposed to know? In any case, I'd raise them by hand, by instinct, and they'd fly away later on. The same with wild baby bunnies. I'd even gather grown animals that I'd pick up for a day and bring home "for Ma to see," and then release an hour or so later. It would be years before I'd realize that I might be causing them stress and that they'd have difficulty with their own loved ones later on:
~TOAD WIFE TO~
~LATE HUBBY~
"WHERE have you
been?"
"Oh, you've NO idea
what I've just been
through, so don't
start!"
"Don't start? I've had
dinner waiting for
over an hour?!"
"LOOK! It couldn't be
helped! Some
human picked me up
and played with me
for an hour while I
was on my way,
OKAY??!!"
"OH!"
"Yeah, oh! Now do you
understand?!! Where
are my nuts? I need
a drink!"
No, Disney didn't pick up the North American Serial Rights to THAT episode.
As for the two small cubs in the garbage containers, one was upended and stuck upside down in one and unable to get out, while the other was nosing around the outside, inspecting the ground and occasionally looking up at its sibling's feet. I in all my benighted wisdom thought well, they're NOT fearsome grizzlies, and I don't see momma bear anywhere, (dumb, really stoooopid!! THINK, you ignorant lugnut!!!) so I'll just sidle over nonchalantly making as little noise as possible so as not to startle them, and help the one that's stuck out of the can, right? I got this. So I get within armslength of this delightful teddy and guesssssss what?
You Betch'em, Red Rider! Momma. Stood. Up. She not only heard me, she s m e l l e d my advent before I got there. How 'bout that, fool!
Me: "Oh. I didn't see you there. I was just gonna hel---buuuut I'm just wishfully thinking, like when they say don't try this
at home...NOT a good idea." Momma then dropped down to all fours, came out around the cans and blithely started to amble toward me, in no rush to accomplish her objective: ME-> GONE. I now realized my best advantage would be to confuse the mommy as best I could until she gave up. So, I did to her what I always did to squirrels to paralyze them and compel them to take heed of me and that I'm trying to get a message across. Squirrels, however, have a different sense of self than black bears. Oh, don't get me wrong, black bears appreciate the conversation, they just respond a little differently, a little slower than squirrels.
I started to chatter at her, incessantly! Everything that one would ordinarily exchange or admire in his or her friends and colleagues came out of me in a swift, one sided parlance.
"That's okay Mom I understand. Is your den far from here? Is this your first litter? You look kinda thin, Mommy, are you getting everything you need ? Huh? Well the reason I ask is cuz I could always go back to camp and put a couple sandwiches together for ya and maybe snag some fruit. Would that help? I suppose you're gonna wanna get some rest then. No by all means don't let me stop you, you go right ahead. Mind if I watch? Say how many siblings do YOU have? I have two brothers that are both older than me. What's your favorite color? Mine'9s purple. Do you like purple? You all get around on foot for the most part, or do you havva car for errands? I don't have one either. And I'm not in the market for one anyways. Speaking of markets, what's your favorite thing to munch on, just you and the kids on a Saturday night at home? Berries? Oh, I love raspberries! Do you havva a permanent partner who's your guiding light in this world or are you pretty much on your own? Oh that's a pity, but you're the stronger for it. Take it from someone who's been there. Tell me which trees are your particular trees. Are they Pine trees or Balsams or don't you have a given preference....."
I kept this b.s. up for some 7 to 10 solid minutes while she slowly backed me outta the site, then she stopped and just stood there, as if to say, 'Its all right now, you can leave. But if you want to see us again
come back anytime. We shouldn't be far away. And next time don't be afraid to sing out. 🐻 💖 🐦
I turned away and comfortably started back through the woods toward camp when an idea struck me. Now, ya gotta understand something. I'm a little pixillated. Folks used to call people like me "Touched." That's probably why I've never been afraid of anything in the wild, I have a far greater respect for them now at age 66 than I did when I was little, or when I tried that dumb stunt with the bears when I was 18, but I still love pranks when it comes to my fellow hominids. So, ya gotta remember back then, in 1973, compact cars were just that, small. Soooo,--I took off at a dead run and came barreling into camp, waving wildly and screaming,
"There's a bear after me!!! It's HUGE and it's coming this way! Everybody scramble! Get ta safety now!"
Have you ever seen 11 people crammed into an original model Toyota?
It's impressive. 🤣
Thank you for sharing. The beginning of wisdom is admitting how little you know.
Good video! Educational! Thanks so much!
Fun fact: Bears sometimes Will tunnel in to the ground when frightened and can use this to sneak up on their prey
Additional safety precaution: always hike with someone that you can outrun.
Jmaninaz1 yes that does work very well.....ha ha I’m not sure if I can put that on video.
@@William180 not with a griz they will always chase the runner.
;)
Now black bears are wandering through south Nashville. A few of my neighbors got video on their Ring doorbells.
As if that wasn’t enough, a neighbor photographed a gray wolf in her back yard (gray wolves aren’t native to Tennessee)
❤❤ thanks i needed this information
In the woods I carry a 10mm with hard cast lead bullets. Black bears are doing videos on what to do if they encounter me.
You better be a damn good shot and have perfect shot placement under extreme pressure or you will piss off a sow. I own a 10mm as well and I was glad I didn't use it when I was attacked (the charge happened so fast that I didn't have time to draw and aim). I got bit once and was left alone after she rightly assumed I was no threat. When that bear charges you, your IQ will go from 100 to 10 in a fraction of a second. There is no good way to practice at a range with a pistol under those circumstances. That one bite I got was enough to paralyze my arm for a month. Black bears are in the top 10 for bite force of all animals in the world and that one bite was the most pain I've ever experienced and I've had chainsaw accidents. Don't believe me? Go to my channel page and you can see the bear charge after my dog, who'd just been in a viscous fight with her. She came after me, neutralized me and then went back after my dog. You'll see my dog was as big as she was, but he was no match. She was still pissed off at my dog who'd retreated back into the garage. If I had shot her and just wounded her, she would have done to me what she did to him and I wouldn't be alive to type this. His wounds only healed after 2 months and 3 surgeries. Claws ripped his skin open, she pinned him on the ground and put about 30 bites into his back, trying to break his spine. My dog is no wimp either. He's 220lbs and strong as a gorilla, but the bear brought knives and he only had paws. Now, I carry a Benelli M4 with slugs and 00 buck because I have some confidence that I can hit a moving target with great force when my IQ is sitting at 10 under those circumstances.
im going to take a wild guess here... you also wear a maga hat when walking in the woods?
@nonmilagno grew up in it. its only that serious if you are really afraid, other wise its not that serious.
Hello, i live in eastern ky in the appalachian mts, i hike a lot, i have encountered many animals, grey foxes, coyotes, black bears, bocats, elk, never had any close encounters until recently, i had a close encounter with a passing through black bear, i was camping alone in a small tent, had a bear bag hung a good half mile away, no food in or around the tent, anyway, its dark out, got a fire going, i zip up in my tent and try to go to bed, i had heard breaking tree limbs all night so i knew something big was near, plus i had that gut feeling i was being watched/stalked, almost instantly as soon as i get in my tent and get in my sleeping bag a black bear is in my camp site, just feet from my tent, i here him breathing and his lumbering footsteps, had to be at least a 300 pounder, he circles my tent a couple times and lies down right beside my tent, at this point im not gonna lie, im scared as fuck, not armed, i had two machetes and a knife, suprisingly i dozed off and awoke at dawn, bear was gone, sometimes the bear bag dont lure them away, and sometimes a fire will not discourage them, my advice, if you are hilking alone and a bear comes into camp at night, just stay in your tent remain calm and quiet, do not get out and engage, always arm yourself if alone, if not with a gun at least bring a good size machete or a large knife, anything sharp, just in case, although i wouldn't call this a direct encounter it was still scary and was enough for me, i still hike and camp a lot, always will, your best tools are in your head, just dont get overcome with fear and do something stupid, bears are unpredictable, but as scary as they are id much rather deal with a single bear than a pack of coyotes or pack wild dogs, if that shit comes to your campsite while your alone, again, stsy in your tent, remain calm, have your weopon ready, coyotes get huge in my region and travel both alone and in packs and it is common to encounter them here, ive heard huge packs in the distance at night but never dealt with a pack up close, never hike alone without some sort of weopon or defense strategy, even the most seasoned outdoorsman can get caught in a sticky situation, it happens, if you are new to camping, understand that there are risks, you are putting yourself at natures mercy, as fun and peaceful as it seems, always keep that in the back of your mind, expect the unnexpected, thanks and stay safe folks.
Uhm, if a Bear is bothering you at night, you are too close to it's den. You've made it feel uncomfortable. Don't camp on animal tracks. Don't camp near a den.
That's harrowing!!! You're a very lucky guy. Two suggestions, at least carry bear spray( if not a firearm) and don't watch the movie BackCountry.
The most down to earth and sound advice I've heard on the subject. CZcams needs more people like you and not these idiots who don't know anything that google a top 10 list and gather a few pictures and use some lame editing to make a video. Thank you for the content!
Thanks for the information
"Don't go up to the bear." Don't have to tell me twice, sir.
First laugh of the day.
Thanks for the good info. While my hiking the AT days are mostly in the past the Black Bear tips are useful as bears are frequent visitors in my neighborhood here in small town Western N. Carolina. They never seem to bother anyone, but do empty bird feeders and occasionally go through a trash can. Mostly very shy.
We live on a mountain. I was on our deck....huge black bear came from the top of the mtn....into our yard area. At first he did not see me. He was about 20 feet away. I was shocked, and stood up and said "Hey Bear". He stopped and we looked at each other for a few minutes. I did not move....the Bear slowly turned around and walked back up the mountain. Saw it one more time from a distance. The Bear was in a wild black berry patch.
Information appreciated! Nice video
As always, so very honest and informative!
Thank you very much Bonnie.
thank willian fantastic job
Support your right to arm bears --- it makes the hike more exciting !
Thanks for sharing this info! I’ve been exploring the woods of New Hampshire since I was a kid and have never encountered a bear but I’ve always wondered what to do if I do see one
When I was 16 Dad took me an my brother ans sister to NC in the Fontana (SP) area. They were walking real slow so I went ahead a few miles. I found a great spot with berries and waited picking berries thinking Hmmm bears like berries maybe I should wait somewhere away from this bush I felt something touch my shoe. I looked to see 2 very small cubs at my feet wanting to play. Cute beyond belief, and before the brain kicked in I wanted to pick one up. Then the brain kicked into high gear cubs = Momma she will not be amused. I tried to move away they really wanted to play and followed right at my feet. Fear started to kick in I put that away in quick order. I started to talk to the cubs go away go to mom, like children they didn't listen. Then Mom came out of a depression about 60 yrds away. She was not amused and did a false charge. I put up my hands palms out she stopped and called. The cubs looked at her then me then back to her and continued the fascination with my shoes, At this point I was pleading with the cubs to leave, resigned to the fact this was my last minutes above ground. She yelled again the ran back to her, as I walked away I could hear her beating the tar out of my new friends. I knew nothing about bears at the time be apparently did the right thing. I now live in NW Montana the house is on a game trail bears all 3 kinds go through the yard to town for the fruit trees. When the sun goes down I will not go in the back yard you can not see bears in the dark. I have not see a grizzly yet did get a false charge in the front yard, Bill they are way bigger out here. Anyway I tossed up my hands and made loud cat sounds she ran, as soon as she turned I got inside the house. I've been stalked by a wolf or a cat. I came over a rise and 50' in front was a 250 lb. cat, another pucker moment. I think the key is to keep your head DO NOT let fear take hold they can smell it. In the case of the cat if I let fear take hold I would not be typing today. I have not seen a wolf out here but they are BIG their shoulder comes up to the top of a typical Barbed wire fence and they get 200 lbs.
I noticed you didn't mention Bear Bells basically they only help the guy who is selling them his wallet to be more precise. Bears do not like the human voice talking is the best I guess. The Feds tell us we should shout "YO Bear, Hey bear" periodically as we walk. We lose a few tourist to bears and Buffalo each year, lost 5 to selfys one year. Wolves have treed people in a park of a small city (NO they are NOT our brothers). This is not a petting zoo. Buffalo may look kind of like a cow but they will stomp you into the ground before you snap that selfy. They are EXTREMELY fast. Bears can reach 35 mph, buffalo are up there maybe 45 mph I forget. We have seen a guy try to put their 2yr old on top of an elk for a snap shot, thankfully he listened, they don't always. Don't rely on a native to do anything but watch if someone does a stupid thing, they just my be bored and you are the excitement. A cowboy said to me when I approached a Long horn one time, "I do rightly think I'd get that close to an animal with 10 foot horns." I that is your warning you'll not get another and he will watch.
I live 1.1 miles from wilderness when I cross the cattle grate I remind myself I'm on the menu not to be afraid but cautious, pay attention, a dog helps. One of the ranchers lets me borrow their dog for my walks. I love the silence out there sometimes forget where I am though, the dog remembers.
Listed to this guy he is correct he knows what he is talking about. Remember that idiot on PBS kissing bears... he and his wife are dead for treating a wild animal like their brothers they are not and you are dinner. Ok that's my public service now I'll sit on the fence with my Indian friends and watch the next tourist take his selfy with the Buffalo or Moos there is not a lot of entertainment in these parts.
Thank you very much for sharing your story and your experiences that is awesome. you are very correct in your advice thank you and I hope that other subscribers will read your story and learn from it as well you are very correct I did not mention bear bells because I do not believe in them. Keep in touch.
Hiking to gregory’s cave/cades cove - Had a tiny cub come down the tree and ran right up to me - sniffed then ran back up the tree. We put it in reverse and spotted mama watching us from a thicket - all we could see was her face peering out; she was maybe 50 yards away. I guess we were spared that day, but it was my most memorable bear encounter.
Really enjoyed that!