Close Encounters Of The Bear Kind

You are eating breakfast and enjoying your morning coffee and out of your back window what do you see but a big black bear! This does occur this time of year – in fact, it occurred last week in Worcester, MA.

Bears look cuddly and friendly but can become some of the most dangerous animals in nature. When authorities are called about a bear, they try and get it to a place where they can tranquilize it and then move it but some times they have to use more extreme measures if the bear poses a threat to people. That, sadly, occurred in last week's bear encounter. Authorities could not get the bear into a tree where it would have been safe if tranquilized. If tranquilized on the ground, it could have run into traffic and caused horrible problems. After all, that bear was 200 lbs!

Should you happen upon a bear in your journeys, or have a bear happen upon your backyard, here’s what you should do:

As Bearman’s Yellowstone Outdoor Adventure site says “A fed bear is a dead bear”…So, keeping your home food free is the best way of prevention. But, that doesn’t help us if the bear is actually there!

According to the US Forest service,

“Although black bears rarely attack, they are powerful animals and are capable of injuring or killing humans. These steps may be helpful if you encounter a bear.

• If you see a bear in the distance, make a wide detour or leave the area.
• Do not feed or toss food to a bear, or any other wild animal.
• Pick up children or put them on your shoulders.
• Never approach bears - they are dangerous wild animals. If a bear changes its natural behavior because of your presence, you are too close.
• Give a bear plenty of room to pass, and it usually will.

If a bear approaches you:

• Don't run.
• Drop your backpack and then,
• Back away slowly.
• Face the bear, but don't look directly into its eyes.
• Keep it in sight.
• Make yourself look bigger by waving your arms and yelling.
• Make lots of noise and stomp your feet.

Remember, you can't outrun a black bear. They are extremely fast on the ground or climbing a tree. Warning signs of an attack include: a steady glare; ears laid back; smacking of the jaws and stomping of the front feet.

If the bear attacks, fight back with anything available. Act aggressively. Throwing rocks or hitting a bear with large sticks has been effective some cases.”

For information on bear-proofing your home, check out Get Bear Smart.

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