Once, many years ago I was followed by a black bear during a day-hike on Escudilla Mountain in eastern Arizona. I never actually saw it, but from the noise it made as it pushed its way through the thick forest and the dogged way it tracked my increasingly erratic course there was little doubt in my mind as to what it was and what it was up to. When I finally realized what was happening I immediately aborted my hike and hightailed it out of there. Fortunately, the bear didn't pursue me and I made it home safely. It was a very creepy and disturbing experience and I've always wondered what that bear's intentions were. I'd like to think that it was probably just curious what I was doing up there in its territory but you never really know. In any case, I've had a very healthy respect for bears ever since.
Fast-forward some twenty years and I found myself researching Timothy Treadwell, the controversial self-described protector of Alaskan Brown/Grizzly bears, filmmaker, eco-warrior, and unfortunate victim of a fatal bear attack back in 2003. Amongst other resources I eventually read Nick Jans's 2004 book "The Grizzly Maze". While mostly a discussion of Timothy Treadwell's history and possible motivations it also included much information on Alaskan Brown/Grizzly bears and a lengthy chapter that covered the latest statistical bear attack data as of 2004. It was Nick's conclusions and interpretations drawn from this attack data that I found most interesting and relevant to my own brief encounter with a black bear.
So, to repeat this post's titular question: Just how dangerous are black bears?
According to Nick and the statistical databases he cites in his book, the answer is: Not very dangerous at all. Statistically speaking, black bears pose only the slightest danger to the average outdoorsy person visiting their habitat. Jans equates it to about the same risk as "choking to death on a baseball bat or being whacked by a flying piano". Hollywood movies featuring aggressive bears and the media's morbid fascination with bear attack details have pushed the perceived danger of black bears out of all proportion to reality. In other words, bears are far down the list of things you should be worrying about.
Unlike the ravenous predatory bears often depicted in movies, black bears are omnivorous and spend most of their time foraging for berries and digging for roots and grubs. They are shy, opportunistic hunters, meaning they mostly just take advantage of sick, young, or weak prey. Even when suddenly encountered, i.e. surprised, or when caring for cubs, they are extremely unlikely to attack a human. They may make a fearsome display but will almost always back down when met with resistance.
But before we start thinking of black bears as misunderstood forest dwelling teddy-bears, we need to remember that there is, in fact, a kernel of truth to their fearsome reputations. The statistics show that, while usually shy and unlikely to attack, in very rare situations a black bear may switch into predatory mode and then it will attack a human. It's poorly understood why this happens but if this mode switch occurs then the black bear is statistically far more likely to kill you than even a Grizzly bear! In fact, Nick states that if a black bear commits to an all-out attack it probably means to kill and eat you.
This brings me to the question: What do you do if you're out hiking in the woods, possibly alone, and you stumble upon a black bear? And how can you tell the difference between a bear that is just trying to scare you away and one that means business?
To start with, most black bears will sense you coming along the trail well in advance and leave before you ever notice that they're there. Unless you spend a lot of time in the woods your chances of seeing a truly wild bear are pretty low. I've lived in and near the forests of Arizona for most of my life and I've only seen a bear once, and even then only fleetingly.
If you are fortunate enough to actually see a bear at close range and it doesn't immediately run away then it's important to know how to tell the difference between a bear that wants to scare you away and one that intends to eat you. The former type of bear may offer a fearsome threat display that, while very alarming to humans, amounts to little more than fist shaking. Signs of a threat display can be any of the following: laying back of ears, jaw snapping, foot stomping, paw cocking (whatever that is!), stylized pacing, holding the head low and staring, and high, bouncing charges that stop short, sometimes alarmingly close. Obviously, these types of behaviors from a 400 pound bear are all extremely frightening and in the adrenaline-charged heat of a forest encounter most people will incorrectly interpret them as the precursors to a mauling. However, statistically speaking, this isn't the case.
On the other hand, a food-seeking predatory bear - one that means to kill and eat you - probably won't offer any kind of threat display beforehand. Instead, it will make a sudden, decisive charge directly at you with full force, elbows out, and often eerily silent. Others may follow and stalk their prey (you) for a while before making their move.
What's interesting is that the way you deal with either type of bear is mostly the same. For the former, non-predatory bear, you should treat it the same as you would a barking, growling dog encountered in the park:
First off, DON'T RUN! Running may trigger the bear's chase instinct. Instead, stand your ground, face the bear, and shout loudly in the firmest, lowest voice you can muster. "HEY!" or "HEY, BEAR!" is as good as anything. Usually this is enough to deter the bear from messing with you.
Instead of running, what you really want to do is back away slowly and deliberately a step at a time, keeping your eyes on the bear. Making eye contact (or not) doesn't seem to make a difference. Not surprisingly, stumbling, falling down, or any other rapid movement, is probably not a good idea. Also, climbing a tree might not work with black bears as they can climb much better than you.
A predatory bear requires one additional step. For these, you want to do one thing: Fight Back! If you have a defensive bear device like pepper spray or a firearm along then use it. Never "play dead". Playing dead, as they used to recommend, will not work in this situation and will likely lead to the real thing (being dead). Once the bear's on you, use everything in your power to fight it off. Protect your head and neck if possible.
And, finally, if a black bear is exhibiting predatory behaviors like following or stalking you, then it's better to immediately and aggressively drive it away before it gets started. Nick didn't specify exactly what this means but I'd imagine it involves shouting, clapping your hands, throwing rocks, pepper spray, or anything else you can think of to scare the bear away. Getting that bear out of there before it switches entirely into predatory mode probably applies to bears who are habituated to human food near campsites and roadsides as well. Hazing bears teaches them that humans are bad and should be left alone, a good thing for the bears and for people. "A fed bear is a dead bear."
Obviously it's better to avoid an encounter with a black bear in the first place. Doing so is also pretty commonsense:
- The more people you have along with you the less likely you'll be involved in an incident. Hiking alone greatly increases your risk.
- Bears don't like surprises so avoid brushy or low-visibility situations. Be noisy and let potential bears know you're coming.
- Maintain your distance from bears. Habituating bears to human presence is never a good idea.
- Don't leave food around where bears can get to it. The vast majority of negative bear encounters are with those that have become habituated to human food or who see humans as food sources.
- Carry a defensive device like bear-spray or a large caliber firearm. Your statistical risk of being killed by a predatory bear drop to near zero if you have one of these devices along.
At this point I have to say that personally, I feel that firearms have no place in the woods, especially in the fragmented, ecologically decimated forests of the lower 48. You're far more likely to accidentally shoot yourself, your buddy, or some poor schmuck hiking with his dogs than a dangerous wild beast. Packing a firearm will only embolden you and make you less likely to do the right thing, namely backing away slowly from a bear and defusing the encounter peacefully. Remember, the woods are the bear's home and you are only visiting. Better to use some non-lethal device like pepper spray.
So, back to my own encounter. The bear I encountered so many years ago was definitely following me, a decidedly predatory-like behavior in light of what we've just learned. Even after several evasive course changes it continued to shadow me. According to the stats it would have been better for me to have immediately confronted the bear and driven it away, perhaps saving myself or another hiker, from a potential bear attack. My actual response, which was to retreat quickly back down the mountainside, was inappropriate and could have inadvertently lead to a fatal charge. The thought of what could have happened still gives me a chill today, especially after having read the detailed description of what happened to Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard.
Before I close, it's important that I make it very clear that this information applies to black bears ONLY. Alaskan Brown bears and Grizzly bears are totally different and their behaviors and the way you deal with them in encounters is completely different. For example, following the "never play dead" advice with a non-predatory Grizzly who just wants to rough you up a bit will increase the chances that it will kill or seriously injure you. So, again, keep in mind that the info I've conveyed here applies to black bears only.
Also, the information here is my possibly flawed understanding of what Nick Jans was trying to convey in his book and what I've read on various web sites. If there are mistakes or outdated information then it's entirely my fault, not Nick's. If you want to go straight to the source - which I heartily recommend - then be sure to read Nick Jans's "The Grizzly Maze", Timothy Treadwell's "Among Grizzlies", and the Arizona Game & Fish Department's "Living With Bears" article.
If you enjoyed this post or have comments, please leave a comment below. Also, I'd be interested in hearing your black bear encounter stories, especially in Arizona.
