Hiking Alone in Black Bear Country
If hiking alone in black bear country, it is up to you to know how to avoid and handle black bear encounters. Fortunately, coming face to face with black bears rarely leads to any harm. In fact, according to wikipedia, black bears have only killed around 70 people in North America since the 1900s.
However, don’t take that statistic for granted. Knowing what to do when you are hiking alone in black bear country is valuable information that can help keep you safe when trekking through their neck of the woods.
Note that these tactics are specifically for black bears! For a broader scope of bear etiquette, I recommend reading “Bearanoid? Don’t let bears keep you out of the backcountry” from KUHL’s Born in the Mountains blog. You can also check out the NPS’ article “Staying Safe Around Bears“.
How to avoid black bears
Black bear attacks are rare, but reduce your chances of an encounter by doing the following:
- Make noise while hiking
- Don’t cook at your campsite
- Don’t sleep in the clothes you cooked in
- Pack all food, trash, and other scented items into a bear canister or bear bag
You don’t have to tip-toe through the forest. Walk with authority and make noise to alert black bears and other critters of your presence. Most animals will scamper away and out of sight when they hear you coming in advance.
Also, it is best not to cook at your campsite as the smell will linger and can attract black bears. When possible, cook a couple of hundred yards away from camp or further.
Along with cooking away from your campsite, you should wear different clothes than what you cooked in. The scent of food can linger in your clothes and not only attract a bear to your campsite, but to you directly! If you don’t cook, you may be okay wearing what you ate in, but watch out for crumbs remaining on your clothes as bears have a super sense of smell.
Lastly, while in bear country, you should always bring a bear bag or bear canister to pack all your food, trash, and other scented items (including the clothes you cooked in) into. Hang the bear bag or hide the bear canister a considerable distance away from camp. If you don’t have either, then as a last resort, carry your scented items away in a bag and hope bears or other forest critters don’t find it.
What to do if you encounter a black bear
Even if you do everything right, there is still a chance you can encounter a black bear. If that does happen:
- Remain calm
- Do not scream or run away
- Do not approach the bear
- Make yourself look big
- Speak in low tones
The first thing to remember is to stay calm. This will help you evaluate the situation and pick the proper course of action. A sudden and rash decision while panicking can make a bad situation even worse.
Staying calm can also help alleviate the initial urge to run away or scream, something you should never do when faced with a black bear. Doing so may initiate an attack. You’re not likely to outrun him, nor escape by climbing a tree as black bears are excellent climbers.
Also, common sense should tell you that approaching the bear is not a good idea. Don’t do it! While he may run away, he might do the opposite and charge at you. Play it safe and stay where you are.
If the bear doesn’t scurry off at the first sight of you, stand tall and wave your arms slowly. While doing this, speak in a firm, low voice to identify yourself in a non-threatening manner. Again, remember not to shout or approach the bear!
Hopefully, your bear encounter ends here but, if not, be prepared if you are attacked!
What to do if you are attacked by a black bear
If the tactics mentioned above fail to scare the bear off, and an attack seems imminent or is underway, then:
- Use bear spray before he gets too close, if you have it
- Fight back
- Do not play dead
If the bear approaches, use bear spray if you have it and it is quickly accessible before he gets too close. With that said, you should always keep bear spray in a location that allows quick access such as a hip or chest holster. Do not keep bear spray inside your backpack!
Bear spray can have a range up to 40 feet so don’t wait until you can smell his breath before pulling the trigger as black bears can run up to 35 mph and close a short distance very quickly. Even though black bears are known to bluff charge, don’t wait around to find out if he really means it.
If you have no experience with bear spray, check out this video from the National Park Service detailing everything you need to know regarding purchasing and proper use of bear spray:
If you don’t have bear spray, then be prepared to fight. You may think you can’t win a fight against a bear, but the point is to make it realize you are not easy prey in hopes of him giving up. Hit the bear with a stick or rock or whatever else may be available. Use your hands if nothing is within reach and aim for the snout and/or eyes.
Whatever you do, don’t play dead. When black bears do attack, its usually in a predatory manner so they may be persistent, even if you pretend to be lifeless.
Is hiking alone in black bear country safe?
Chances are you will never have an aggressive encounter, but the more you hike in black bear country, the more likely you are to have a sighting. Take note of your surroundings and look for a weapon just in case you do have to defend yourself. Also, unless you are a healthy distance away, put the camera down! And, if the bear does run away, do not chase it! As long as you follow these guidelines, you should be safe during your trek through black bear country.
