BEAR ENCOUNTERS
BLACK BEARS AT A GLANCE - Black bears are the most common and
generally the smallest of North American bears which also include the grizzly
or brown bear and the polar bear. Only the black bear is found in
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE - The black bear, Ursus Americanus, is not always
black. They come in a variety of color phases including black, brown and
cinnamon (reddish or blond) and they may have a tan muzzle or a white spot on
their chest. A black bear’s body appears heavy and is supported by short
powerful legs. The highest point of a black bear is the lower-middle of its
back. There is no prominent shoulder hump as there is the larger grizzly
bear.
Black bears vary in size and weight. Black bears vary in
size and weight with males usually being larger than females of the same age.
Adult males average 275 pounds while the adult female may average 175
pounds. Depending on the season, food supply, and gender, they may weigh
anywhere from 125 to 450 pounds. When on all four legs, black bears
measure about three feet tall at the shoulders and when upright on their hind
legs, they may approach five or six feet tall.
HABITS - Bears may be active anytime, day
or night, but are most often active during morning or evening twilight.
When not feeding or looking for food, they rest in day beds - next to a log in
a windfall, in dense brush or in a depression. Black bears are omnivores and
eat both plants and animals. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat
whatever food is available. About 90% of a bear’s diet is made up of plant
products while about 10% is animal or insect products. Acorns, juniper
berries and madrone berries in season are major food
sources for the bears. A major problem arises when bears become
acclimated to human food. When this happens, these intelligent animals
often overcome their fear of people and become more aggressive and persistent
in their attempts to get more food. Black bears have long been viewed as
forest dwelling animals. However, an unbroken expanse of forest doesn’t
provide enough food. They also need berry patches and stream bottoms to
satisfy their appetites.
Every bear has a home range where it finds all it needs. It travels to
different areas of its home range as food sources develop. In general,
black bears may range from 10 to 250 square miles. Adult males occupy the
largest areas while females usually establish their home range close to their
mother’s.
HIKING IN BEAR COUNTRY - Many of the mountain ranges in southern
BLACK BEAR ENCOUNTERS - Every encounter with a black bear can be different,
however, bears should always be considered unpredictable and dangerous. In
almost all cases, the bear will detect you first and will leave the area.
Bear attacks are rare compared to the number of close encounters. If you meet a
bear before it has time to leave an area, the following suggestions should
reduce the potential for a dangerous conflict.
+ Stay Calm. If you see a bear and it
hasn’t seen you, calmly leave the area. As you move away, talk aloud to
let the bear discover your presence.
+ Stop. Never approach or corner a bear.
Back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as
bears may perceive this as a threat. Give the bear plenty of room to
escape. Stand upright. Do not kneel or bend over. Wild bears
rarely attack people unless they feel threatened or provoked.
+ Speak Softly. This may reassure the bear
that no harm is meant to it.
+ Depart the Area. Do not run or make any
sudden movements. Running is likely to prompt the bear to give chase and you
can’t outrun a bear. Continue facing the bear and slowly back away.
+ Bear Cubs. Female black bears do not
normally defend their cubs aggressively but send them up a tree. Use extra
caution if you encounter a female black bear with cubs. Move away from
the cubs. Never come between a bear and its cubs.
+ Threat Identification. Bears use all
their senses to try to identify what you are. Their eyesight is good and
their sense of smell is acute. If a bear stands upright or moves closer,
it may be trying to detect smells in the air. This isn’t a sign of
aggression. Once it identifies you, it may leave the area or try to
intimidate you by charging within a few feet before it withdraws.
+ If Attacked. Fight back
aggressively. Black bears have been driven away when people have fought
back with rocks, sticks, binoculars and even their bare hands.
Summarized January 2004 by T. Johnson from brochures prepared by the US Forest
Service,
Additional Material: GVHC Library File 83