Due to their growing population and widespread range, you’re much more likely to encounter a black bear in the wild than a grizzly bear. Just like with grizzlies, learning how black bears behave is one of the keys to staying safe in their habit. And though a black bear attack is exceedingly rare, it has been known to happen. So what do you do if you run into a black bear out in the wild? Check out these tips to keep you safe and alive during an encounter.
Black Bear Population & Range
Black bears are much more widespread compared to grizzlies. There is an estimated 600,000 black bears in North America (up to 900,000 according to some sources), with about 300,000 inhabiting the United States. They range all the way from east coast to west coast, and can be found virtually all over Canada. They prefer more forested settings, opting for the cover of trees over open spaces.
Check out this super informative article about the specific break down of black bear populations in the United States:
Black Bear Population By State – Wildlife Informer
Black Bear Anatomy
Though black bears are smaller in stature than grizzlies, they can still get pretty big. Males can weigh in at up to 650 lbs., whereas females are typically much smaller, usually maxing out around 180 lbs. On their hind legs, black bears stand about 5 feet tall, much shorter than their 7 foot tall grizzly cousins.
The claws of black bears can grow about 4cm long, making them great at scaling trees, and also defending themselves against perceived threats, so don’t be fooled. In the event of a black bear attack, they can do some serious damage.
Black Bear Behavior
Black bears are curious animals with a keen sense of hearing and smell. They employ various different sounds to communicate with their cubs including huffs, moans, sniffs, and growls.
They are typically solitary animals but may congregate together when food sources are abundant. A typical range for a male black bear is about 50 square miles when food is plentiful.
Like grizzlies, black bears will often stand up on their hind legs to get a better view and smell of their surroundings. This is a normal, curious behavior and shouldn’t be misconstrued as aggressive.
Black bears are more likely to retreat when they feel threatened instead of standing their ground and defending themselves. They are excellent climbers and tend to send their cubs up a tree when they feel threatened, unlike grizzlies who may keep their cubs on the ground.
When a black bear does feel threatened, it will usually remain quiet. It may swat the ground, blow air forcefully (similar to a snort-wheeze), and pop it’s teeth together as a warning. If it still feels threatened, it may employ a “bluff charge” where it feigns a charging and then veers off.
A black bear that is truly aggressively will usually remain quiet, protrude its lower lip, and flatten it’s ears back.
Fatal black bear attacks are incredibly rare though, usually occurring less than once a year in North America.
Black Bear Encounter
So what do you do if you come face to face with a black bear? Follow these recommendations to give yourself the best opportunity to make it out of a black bear encounter alive and intact.
Some of this information may be repetitive from our grizzly bear article, but there is definitely some overlap, so these tips are worth repeating.
Prevention is Key
Oftentimes, one of the main causes of a black bear attack is because the bear is startled and frightened. Bears are often unaware of their surroundings so it’s important to make yourself known. This means being a noisy hiker. Talk loudly, yell from time to time, and consider wearing bear bells. These actions will make your presence known and potentially cause a bear to leave the area before you even realize they were there.
Another key to prevention is to keep food in bear proof bins or hanging high enough from a tree where it can’t be reached. Black bears who have been habituated to human food become much more aggressive and dangerous than non-habituated bears.
Also, you should always carry bear spray when you’re in an area known to be inhabited by bears. And don’t just have it stuffed in your backpack. Make sure it’s easily accessible so you don’t get eaten while you’re trying to fumble it out of your pack.
How to Handle a Black Bear Encounter
If you encounter a black bear, DON’T PLAY DEAD!
Instead, stand your ground, talk loudly, slowly, and assertively, wave your arms, and calmly try to escape to safety, ie. a car. If you’re unable to get to safety and the black bear does attack, fight back with anything you can use as a weapon, concentrating blows to the face and muzzle.
Hopefully this will be enough to scare off the black bear and give you time to get away.
Another extremely important note. If a black bear (or grizzly) ever enters your tent, FIGHT BACK IMMEDIATELY! Concentrate blows to its face and snout, and immediately use bear spray if it’s available.
Report any black bear attack or encounter to the authorities ASAP to prevent any future attacks from occurring.
Conclusion
If you ever come across a black bear in the wild, quick thinking and an appropriate reaction are keys to your survival. Make sure to commit the above recommendations to memory. Give black bears the respect and distance they deserve, stay away from bear cubs, and don’t forget to carry bear spray whenever you’re out in the woods!
Stay Safe & Stay Alive,
Cody
The Wild Bites Back
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