Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears

FACT:  Black Bears den at different times throughout North America because of three factors: the availability of food, the photoperiod, and temperature.  First and foremost is the availability of food.  Food drives its life and behavior whether it is awake or asleep.  When God’s naturally provided food disappears then their body tells them to go to sleep until spring.

A hard mast failure and human-provided food will cause bears to not go into hibernation.  The failure to get enough food to stored fat forces a starving bear to continue to forage.  Conversely, the availability of man provided food, i.e. trash, wildlife and birdfeeders, and pet food, will keep their bodies from triggering the need to hibernate.

Fact: A person’s chance of incurring serious injury from a charging bear doubles when bullets are fired versus when bear pepper spray is used.  Those injured defending themselves with bear pepper spray experienced shorter attacks and less severe injuries than those who chose to use firearms (US Fish and Wildlife Service). Bears are actually attracted to pepper spray residue if it is sprayed on the ground or on objects. Never spray it around a tent or on yourself. When used defensively, pepper spray must be sprayed directly in the attacking bear’s eyes or nose.

Fact: Current evidence suggests that menstruation does not increase the likelihood of an attack by a black or grizzly bear, but tampons are recommended over pads. They may be disposed of by burning and then packing out the remains.  Bears are attracted to anything that smells interesting such as toothpaste, deodorant, aftershave, perfume, soap, etc.

Fact: Removing the bear and not the attractant will only create an opportunity for another bear to move in, creating a vicious cycle of conflict and killing.

According to the National Park Service:

If you do see a bear, remember you are a visitor in their home. Your behavior may have life or death consequences for a bear. Follow the steps below for a more enjoyable visit and remember that bears are wild animals. Like any wild animal, they can be dangerous and are sometimes unpredictable. Attacks on humans are rare, but they can occur.

Following bear viewing etiquette is the first step to avoiding an encounter with a bear that could escalate into an attack. Once a bear has noticed you and is paying attention to you, additional strategies can help prevent the situation from escalating.

Bear Encounters

• Identify yourself by talking calmly so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
• Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won’t be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
• Pick up small children immediately.
• Hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size, groups are also intimidating to bears.
• Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground).
• Do NOT allow the bear access to your food. Getting your food will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for others.
• Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.
• If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees.
• Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.
• Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs.