We do not want to contribute to an unhealthy fear of bears, but apparently this is not the problem. [Like] any wild animal, black bears need to be respected." AWESOME! Remain still until the bear leaves the area. For the most part, they coexist without incident. Finally, if there is physical contact, Forbes says the best advice is … However, speaking as someone who sucks at climbing trees, this doesn’t seem like a good option. This relaxed mind-set is very dangerous. A pair of black bear cubs sitting in a tree. (Persistent bears will break into … All of this fun will be carried out in the great outdoors, where you will share space with a multitude of wild animals! Differences Between Black Bears and Grizzly Bears. In a bear’s mind, just getting close to them may be considered aggressive behavior. Whether you are a seasoned backpacker, an avid hiker, a wildlife photographer, or an afternoon picnicker, you never consider leaving home without the supplies you need. Despite their size, black bears are very agile tree climbers. Far too many people see bears as cute, approachable animals who wouldn’t mind participating in a selfie. Sticks or other objects can be used to make yourself look bigger, while yelling and being loud can intimidate or scare off a black bear. In general, when you encounter a black bear you should: Remain calm. Meaning: This behavior communicates that the bear believes you are too close and it feels threatened and afraid. While these bears may be “cute,” it’s important to remember that they are wild … All of this fun will be carried out in the great outdoors, where you will share space with a multitude of wild animals! After all, they believe you are encroaching on their environment, not the other way around. Walk away slowly, if the bear is not approaching. Response: Slowly back away while facing the bear. We at My Smoky Mountain Guide want you to have a wonderful vacation right here in our backyard, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Avoid direct eye contact. Here are several small tools we believe may make a difference in your safety. Federal law restricts which types of sprays can be used in a national park, so we recommend the following brands approved by the EPA for use in the. If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. What to Do If You Encounter a Black Bear. The low number of black bear attacks may be contributing to an unsafe lackadaisical attitude toward bears. The black bear is a wonderful part of their experience. A more curious bear may stand on its hind legs to see you better, but this is not necessarily aggressive behavior. It is your first line of defense, along with throwing rocks and sticks. IMPORTANT: Black bears are wild animals and their behavior can be unpredictable. Fight back if you're being attacked. Bears in the Smokies. If the bear attacks you fight back with any surrounding object and spray it with pepper spray. “Being safe” is knowing how and when to use them. Give the bear a clear escape route. Response: Back away slowly from the food and give the bear plenty of room. Back away when possible. If a bear is sighted in town, leave the animal alone. Meaning: The bear has determined that you are a threat and needs to defend itself or it sees you as prey. Enjoy them; safely! It is demanding more space from you. Typically a bear is more afraid of humans. More specifically, you may need a pepper spray made for deterring bears. Remember, black bears are WILD ANIMALS and will attack if they think it is necessary. If you do see a bear in your yard, bang pots and pans or blow a loud whistle, he said. Bears are magnificent creatures and it can be exciting to see one—from an appropriate distance. If you’re dealing with a black bear, fighting back might be your best option. DO NOT play dead, run, climb a tree, or leave food behind. Avoid a confrontation. This holds true for black bears. When you’re trying to scare off a charging bear, bear spray almost always does the trick. Another way to prevent getting this page in the future is to use Privacy Pass. While planning your vacation to the Smokies, you probably will book a campsite, cabin, or hotel, choose which live shows you want to see in nearby cities, and determine which zip line or riding stable has the best deals. You should be able to use your spray on auto-pilot during a grizzly bear encounter. However, if the attack persists, fight back vigorously. Response: DO NOT play dead! Because it's highly unlikely it's a predatory bear (see below), you have little to worry about. Try to escape to a secure place such as a car or … While this behavior is not threatening, it could lead to it. Stay calm: Walk slowly and speak in a loud and calm voice. Our goal is to provide valuable, proven information for you and your safety. Every bear encounter must be met with caution. The average weight of a black bear is 300 pounds. • Scenario 2: You see a bear and the bear sees you (but at a distance) Again, if you are being aware of your surroundings and encounter a bear there's a chance you'll both notice each other from a distance. If you see a black bear in your yard, enjoy the sighting from a distance and report your sighting. In most cases, the bear will flee. Heintooga Picnic Area at Balsam Mountain, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail – Auto Tour, Three Big Reasons You Should Not Feed Bears, The Best Place to Spot Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains, UDAP 18HP Super Magnum Bear Spray 13.4 oz, Frontiersman Bear Spray w/Hip Holster-Max Strength & Range-35 ft-9.2 oz, The Best Place to See Black Bears in the Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: My Smoky Mountain Guide, *Bear Pepper Spray: If noise doesn’t work, you may need to take accelerated measures. You may not know you are approaching a bear until it is too late. What to do if you encounter a black bear. Try to appear large by holding up your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump. Clap your hands. In most situations, if left alone, the bear will return to the forest on its own. Make noise; a lot of noise. Walk, don’t run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see … The above suggestions DO NOT guarantee your safety during a bear encounter. Recycle wisely. What to do if you see a black bear. • Bear encounters in the woods are relatively infrequent, Madden said, as bears want to avoid people more than we want to avoid them. "You'll be fortunate because they are shy and timid animals. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. ; Don't: Approach, surround, or corner a bear: Bears aggressively defend themselves when they feel threatened. Luckily, encounters between these animals and humans are low. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. DNR recommends taking the following actions if you encounter a bear: Remain calm. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. If it follows you or gets closer, get aggressive and begin shouting, blowing your whistle, and throwing rocks and sticks at it (anything other than food). Even so, the Boy Scouts’ motto, “Be Prepared”, is timeless advice. Spray when a curious bear is 25-30 feet (8-10 meters) away. Since the founding of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the early 1900’s, only one death is attributed to a black bear inside the park. Mama bears are very protective. UDAP 18HP Super Magnum Bear Spray 13.4 oz Frontiersman Bear Spray w/Hip Holster-Max Strength & Range-35 ft-9.2 oz Counter Assault CA-12HVP/sb Bear Spray. If you have bear spray, remove the safety, and be ready to use it if the bear approaches you. During times of danger or threat, bear cubs will take shelter in trees. Use the pepper spray, blow your whistle. Vacationers get so excited about seeing a bear that they forget that these creatures can, and will, kill if they feel threatened. It is not making any noise or swatting the ground with its paws. Gary Carter Photo. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees. Do not push down a slower friend (even if you think the friendship has run its course)," the NPS added. Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over. Keep dogs under control. Copyright 2016-2020 Marc & Ann Bowman | All Rights Reserved | Powered by, 9. Black bear attacks in the park are extremely rare, but they do happen. Meaning: It is obvious; the bear wants your food. In most black bear encounters in California, the bear will take off as soon as it sees you. Identify yourself by speaking in a calm, appeasing tone. To some, seeing a black bear can be a thrilling experience, but to others, it can be a bit unnerving. Millions of people come from throughout the world for the outdoor vacation of a lifetime, and they get it. Black bear playing in a puddle in Yellowstone National Park | Shutterstock If the bear walks toward you, act boldly, yelling and throwing something at it. Use your hiking stick to intimidate the bear and move to higher ground by backing away. In case of a charging bear, spray when it is 30-60 feet (10-20 meters) away. Black bears tend to be more timid than … Wild, powerful, and unpredictable, bears and cougars pose a substantial threat to people. Fighting back usually increases the intensity of such attacks. Make sure you know you to use it properly, though. Continue spraying until … If so, you may find the following suggestions helpful if you are ever confronted by a black bear in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As of 2016, more than 11 million people and 1,600 black bears share the park each year. If you encounter a grizzly, do not run. In addition, state laws may apply. If you store recyclables outside, use enclosed bins. It does not change your price at all. Cloudflare Ray ID: 60f179021de2fa5c The best way to handle a bear encounter is never to have one. A black bear was seen in Joelton, in northwest Davidson County, on Aug. 15.What's believed to be the same bear was spotted Saturday, Aug. 25, in … Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. We are required by law to tell you that we receive a small referral commission if you buy something. DON’T climb trees to escape a bear. Loud noises scare most animals, causing them to run for cover. Black bears have much larger ears than grizzly bears and do not have the same hump at the base of their necks that grizzly bears have. Bears have a very good sense of smell and hearing. Talk to the bear in a calm voice. Bears like thick brush, berry patches and parsnip thickets, but also regularly use hiking trails. You see a black bear along with throwing rocks and sticks is cornered, back off slowly to it! Knowing how and when to use Privacy Pass it can be a thrilling experience, but regularly! 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