Black bears are different. The new concept is to stand your ground and fight a Black bear. Running will only encourage a bear to attack. You will lose.
Years ago the old adage was to play dead...this is true with a Grizz but with Black Bears this has changed.
This is how and what I have drilled in my head to do and watch for.
Any bear that continues to approach, follow, disappear and reappear, or displays other stalking behaviors is acting in a predatory manner. Bears that attack you in your tent or confront you aggressively in your campsite or cooking area should also be considered a predatory threat.
If the bear does not respond to aggressive actions such as yelling, throwing rocks and sticks, etc., you should be prepared to physically fight back if it attempts to make contact. If you have bear spray, emit a deterring blast, preferably before the bear is within twenty-five feet. This gives the animal time to divert its advance.
GRIZZ...Confrontations are usually the result of a sudden encounter with a grizzly bear protecting its space, cubs or food caches. In defensive confrontations., the bear is attacking you because it feels threatened.
If contact is made, or about to be made, drop to the ground and play dead. Lay on your stomach, clasp your hands behind your neck, and use your elbows and toes to avoid being rolled over. If the bear does roll you over, keep rolling until you land back on your stomach. Remain still and try not to struggle or scream. A defensive bear will stop attacking once it feels the threat has been removed. Do not move until you are absolutely sure the bear has left the area.
Do not panic! Group together, pick up small children and assess the situation. Prepare to use your bear spray.
Do not run or make sudden movements, it may instinctively cause the bear to charge you.
Give bears a chance to identify you as human, and not a threat. If the bear stands up, it is trying to see, hear and smell you better. Talk firmly in a low-pitched voice while backing away. Avoid direct eye contact as bears may perceive this as a challenge or threat.
Continue to back away slowly and cautiously, retreating to a place of safety. Monitor the animal’s response, and adjust your actions accordingly.
Special Things to Know:::
Startled bears will often confront intruders by turning sideways to appear larger, make woofing and teeth clacking sounds, salivate, lay their ears back and slap the ground with their paws. These are warnings for you to leave the area.
Mother bears are very protective of their cubs. A startled black bear will often send her cubs up a tree while she stands guard at the bottom. This gives you an opportunity to leave without a confrontation. Mother grizzly bears try to avoid people, but if you surprise one, she might bluff charge to remove the threat.
If a bear stands on its hind legs, it is not being aggressive. It is trying to see, hear and smell you better in order to identify what you are. Talk firmly and in a low-pitched voice while cautiously backing away.
During extreme conditions such as droughts, thunderstorms and forest fires, all wildlife, especially bears may become more aggressive and confrontational.
