In addition, the scientists speculate the presence of food may make the bears more aggressive, thus increasing the possibility of an attack. Most of the black bears involved in these fatal attacks acted as a predator; including evidence of stalking, full out attacks using claws and teeth, consuming human flesh and possessive behavior towards the bodies. Black Bears--Simple Fools or Cunning Killers. A recent study in the Journal of Wildlife Management documented 59 fatal black bear attacks, resulting in 63 human deaths, in the United States and Canada from 1900 through 2009. Unless it was a clear accident. Sarah Zielinski is an award-winning science writer and editor. No. Most signs are up to interpretation, but this one’s pretty cut and dry. Stalking and curious bears are not in a defensive mindset like a surprised bear. Keep up-to-date on: © 2021 Smithsonian Magazine. One study estimated that there were 750,000 to 900,000 black bears distributed across North America, and their numbers have been growing. Don’t let them fool you, you’re being stalked like celery. The same interpretation can also be drawn if you have dreamt of hunting a black bear. At least they have guns and might be able to protect you. Floor it. If the bear killed you, it was stalking you. Try to seek shelter in a car or building if possible. haunts of the black bear in the Lower Peninsula. Smithsonian Institution, (photo courtesy of flickr user Arthur Chapman). Black bear attacks on humans are rare but often begin as scuffles with dogs, experts say The dog may run to its owner for protection as the bear follows close behind. Prior to 1965, bear hunting, including large or- ganized hunts with dogs, was popular in the Swamp and adjoining areas. Black bears range throughout much of the continental US. Now things have reached a new level. You need to go to the police station and file a police report, once they restaff. People need to be a little less stupid when out in the wild. 2 ) Learn to recognize signs that bears are in the area. The bears stand on their hind legs with their backs against the trunk of the tree. Flowers in your mailbox. Black bears are known to be very aggressive and can detect a predator from far. Suddenly everywhere you go, there’s the bear. Humans are not on their diet. That two black bear attacks occurred in Alaska within two days of each other is rare. Black bears, for instance, are usually less aggressive and more tolerant of people. Hunting. This is fairly common in areas with a good food source, especially if you spot the bear in the late afternoon and well before dark. Larger groups are likely louder, and a bear may find them more intimidating. If you find anything, lock your door. Watch those eyes. Being stalked by a bear is one of the most dreaded experiences anyone can experience. The bear had stalked the man, approached cautiously with its hackles raised and lips peeled back to expose its teeth, and stopped whenever the victim confronted it face to face, but relentlessly pursued and attacked him. Black bears are excellent climbers. Who cares if the cops catch you. California Do Not Sell My Info Cookie Policy Do you know all the signs you are being stalked by a bear? Black bears lead solitary lives and tend to be shy. 6 ) A black bear that is stalking you may be deterred by aggressive actions, such as shouting, spraying it with bear spray or hitting it with rocks, sticks or even fists. 4 ) Carry bear spray (which has capsaicin, the chemical that makes chili peppers hot) if you’re going to be in bear territory. I began hunting black bear in 1972 in Idaho’s Clearwater Region, primarily in the Lochsa and Kelly Creek drainages. You are seriously regretting giving this bear your number. Your top priority if you wish to close the distance on a black bear on the ground is to keep careful tabs on the wind. Most of the time, a black bear has no interest in engaging with people; the bears that do, more often than not, are those habituated to human garbage or handouts. In Alaska, their meat & potatoes are blue. You tried to douse this persistent bear with gasoline, set it on fire and pound it in the head with an axe? Avoid harassing bears that are just going about their business, though; females seldom attack humans except when provoked by people or dogs. Suddenly everywhere you go, there’s the bear. Should Inclusive Restrooms Really Include Bears? After you’ve done that, stock up on weapons of any kind.  The bear makes vocalizations which can include huffing and jaw popping and/or swats Maybe your bear started out as a friend or has suddenly become buddies with your roommate. You shouldn’t stop unless you bring home the bacon. 8 ) Don’t assume that there’s less danger in Canada and Alaska simply because there are fewer encounters between black bears and humans. Fatal attacks are not more likely among any age group or in response to any specific human activity. Your email address will not be published. But they are curious even about things that scare them (as we shall see). Food or garbage was present in 38 percent of the documented fatal black bear attacks, and the scent may have attracted the bears. Continue Check any areas near your home where paw prints could be left. Let me guess? Many of these forests are very dense, so that it requires the eye of a practised shikari to detect the dark forms of the bears while searching for … Bear behavior in farm country came as a big surprise. If that isn’t an option, be ready to fight. They are ready to attack their prey at a moment’s notice, and YOU are the prey. Bears largely avoided agricultural areas. Fatal attacks were more common when people traveled singly or in pairs. The wrestler is a former, Support Raising Bear Awareness on Patreon, Disclaimer: Bearmageddonnews.com is Satire. Do NOT run. And this advice does not apply to other species of bears (among brown bears, for example, mama bears with young are responsible for more fatal attacks). Bear stalking is an issue for everyone, why not share this with someone you care about? one of the black bears that come around are house got a little impatient waiting for me to bring her food to the bowl and came up to meet me, and hurry me along You have a stalker. Hopefully, by reading this article you can make more informed decisions from now on. More Hunting. Think again. That’s exactly what the bear wants. Black bears have killed only 63 people in the United States and Canada over the last 109 years. Anyway, will write it again. And the scientists learned that many of our assumptions about bear dangers are wrong. Terms of Use Vote Now! You have a stalker bear. If the bear attacks you, fight back with anything that you … While many view Ursus americanus as a silly bumbler, the increase in its attacks on humans tells a different story. Black bears are not territorial toward people like some dogs are. The grizzly bear is typically larger than the black bear and has a large muscle mass above its shoulders; a concave, rather than straight or convex, facial profile; and its behavior is much more aggressive. By Jim Shockey. Privacy Statement Announcing The First Nonfiction Book Ever Made, Disney Announces Next Reboot Will Be “Real Pooh”, James Corden’s Wildest Carpool Karaoke Yet: Bears, Amazing: Bear Learns To Skydive So He Can Elbow Drop Elk From Plane, Mass Deforestation Proof Bears Fart in the Woods, Man Who Narrowly Escaped Bear Attack Dies of Pants Crapping, https://www.bearmageddonnews.com/about-b-n-n/. If they take that second look, they see something they want. Get caller ID and don’t answer it when the bear calls, whatever you do. Aggressive bear euthanized after "stalking" park employee ... Park were forced to euthanize a black bear that was acting aggressively towards a … Whatever the case, if they can, they will continually “accidentally” leave things laying around just so they have a reason to pop in on you whenever they want. Avoid harassing bears … Black bear, (Ursus americanus), also called American bear, the most common bear (family Ursidae), found in the forests of North America, including parts of Mexico.The American black bear consists of only one species, but its colour varies, even among members of the same litter. Bears survive on the acuity of their sensitive noses and ears. To leave scent they shimmy up and down the tree, rubbing their backs against the trunk. Etter suspected bears would use corn and bean fields for … Read on for expert tips on how to tell if you have a grizzly on your tail and what you can do about it.  The bear lowers its head with ears flattened, and sways back and forth. Don’t play its games. Bears that attack you in your tent or confront you aggressively in your campsite or cooking area should also be considered a predatory threat. Their strong sense of smell makes it even harder to find them. Looks like the only fire you ignited was this bear’s flaming obsession. Nothing here is intended to be thought of as True. or Here is a hysterical video of bears doing just that. They look, and then they look again. Black Bears do not stalk and attack humans. Fatal attacks most often occur in this month. The average annual harvest of bears … Don’t know what happened to first comment. Honey on your car. It’s best to mail the items back if you can. These bears silently stalk their prey, sometimes for hours, before quickly rushing to attack. Thank you scientists at the USGS Northern Divide Bear Project! 7 ) Be extra careful in August, when hungry bears are filling up with high-energy foods in preparation for winter denning. That doesn’t mean that the spray is guaranteed to fight off an attacking bear, but it could help. My previous experiences with hunting black bear were more related to an occasional sighting of a black bear in the fall while hunting deer or elk than specifically focusing upon bear. Maybe this article is too old? You keep “running into” each other when you’re out of the house. A greater proportion of fatal attacks occur in the northern parts of the black bear’s range, perhaps because these bears are less habituated to people or more food-stressed than southern bears. Whatever you can to defend yourself, do it. She is a contributing writer in science for Smithsonian.com and blogs at Wild Things, which appears on Science News. Joe Rogan Interviews 1,600 Pound Alaskan Grizzly Bear, Grizzly Bear Shatters All Pro Wrestling Records After Identifying As Human, Woman Who Used Potato Diet to Keep Bear From Eating Her Decapitated by Bear, Writer Sought Solitude in Cave to Meet Deadline; Met Bear, Found Death (Obituaries), Tremor Caused by Massive Underground Bear Mole, Inspiring Friendship of Bear and Squirrel a Symbol of Hope, Photographers Say. Today, the grizzly bear remains in a few isolated locations in the lower 48 states, including Yellowstone. Black bears (Ursus americanus) can be found as far south as northern Mexico and well into Canada and Alaska. 6) A black bear that is stalking you may be deterred by aggressive actions, such as shouting, spraying it with bear spray or hitting it with rocks, sticks or even fists. #4. Axes, fire, gasoline, chainsaws. They often live near human settlements, whereas grizzly bears prefer to stay away from human settlements and are often extirpated from heavily used or populated areas. Only six deaths had previously been reportedly linked to black bears in Alaska in the past 130 years. Think the bear didn’t follow? If you notice a bear stalking you, now is the time to get your bear spray ready. Most people who find themselves near a black bear are afraid, and they are not attacked. Salmon on your doorstep. Most attacks involved a bear on the prowl, likely hunting for food, not mothers protecting cubs. Places they never were before, now they are acting like they just happen to be stopping by. Trying to rip your car to pieces? Photo by Donald M. Jones The most underrated hunt in the West, says Mark Werner, owner of BC Guide Outfitters, is for trophy-class fall black bears. Places they never were before, now they are acting like they just happen to be stopping by. You go outside to mow your lawn and find your dog ripped apart. Will a bear attack because it senses you are afraid? But it’s a good reminder for anyone planning to take advantage of North America’s great outdoors this summer to prepare for any predators you might meet along your way. Having a stalker is a miserable experience. The black bear also has a keen hearing ability with a clear vision comparable to that of a human being. Advertising Notice The phone rings, you say hello, and all you hear is heavy panting and breathing. Some advice from the researchers on avoiding a fatal attack: 1 ) Travel in groups of three or more. Your email address will not be published. Before the late 1940's, virtually all black bears killed by hunters were taken in connection with deer hunting. This page is for entertainment purposes only. this has all the earmarks of a predatory black bear. 3 Great Places to Take a Stand in the Big Woods. If you want to hunt black bears over natural food, the formula may be easy. well except for the first approach to this 16-year-old which sounds a lot like stalking, and then the chase to catch him, and then the unwillingness to abandon the body when a bunch of people showed up and tried to drive the bear off. September 18, 2007. Predatory Confrontations: (Usually with Black Bears) Any bear or cougar that continues to approach, follow, disappear and reappear, or displays other stalking behaviors is acting in a predatory manner. Latest. Acorns are their meat & potatoes. Photograph: Daniel J Cox/Getty Images Authorities say the first known fatal bear attack in New Jersey was unprovoked and the bear … We suggest you go stay with relatives out of state. Anything over five and a half feet is reasonable, and any bear that squares over six feet is a dandy, wherever black bears are found. I first contacted Shelton in 1991, to ask him about what I considered the unusual behavior of a black bear in an attack I’d written about for the Maine Sportsman. Hunting. No one who has been killed by a black bear in the past was carrying bear spray with them. Bears can look like they are stalking when they are actually approaching out of simple curiosity. Stalking black bear was hunt of a lifetime for Holmen man ... Paul Pehler, a 32-year-old Holmen man, shot this black bear near Drummond, Wis., on his first Wisconsin bear hunt. Required fields are marked *, Thanks to everybody who participated in my first Kickstarter campaign ever. A stalking bear will pretend like they’re just being thoughtful, but in truth, you’re all they can think about. Just like in the dream, you shouldn’t stop in persevering. They turn their shoulders and bite and claw the tree. Bear chased Alaska runner to his death. 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Look in your garage. Bear Behavior:  The bear retreats up a tree. Get the best of Smithsonian magazine by email. If you need further explanation, please visit. Black bear stalking in the forests bordering the valley of Kashmir requires much more care than is expended in approaching brown bear on the open hills above, the senses of sight and hearing being more strongly developed in the black than in the brown species. 3 ) Keep food and garbage away from bears. Not eaten, just ripped apart in a fit of jealous rage. 9 out of 10 times you’ve got a stalker problem. A stalking bear will pretend like they’re just being thoughtful, but in truth, you’re all they can think about. This isn’t to say you can thereafter mosey right up to a feeding bear (though this does happen), but you’re not in for the stalking challenge presented by a cougar-wary deer or hunter-educated elk. This time, you are actually eager to pursue all the things that you lack in your life. The most important finding is that it is lone, hungry males—not mothers with young—who are most often the killers. Give a Gift. 5 ) Learn to recognize the behavior of a black bear that is considering you for its next meal. Bear chasing your car down the freeway, clawing at your tires? 17th Annual Photo Contest Finalists Announced. Most fatal attacks by North American black bears during the past century were conducted by lone, male animals that stalked and then killed their human victims as prey, according to a … If you are stalking a bear and this happens, it is well worth your effort to watch the area from a good shooting position until you are pretty sure the bear has moved on. If this has happened to you, it’s time to face facts. Now it’s getting serious. Their eyesight is marginal, and while they’re by no means blind, if you successfully manage your scent and noise, you can generally stalk to within shooting range. This is the first sign a passing bear might think about paying you another visit. Check your lawn for droppings. They prefer to run from human contact. Wilderness Survival gets a little more difficult when the hunter becomes the hunted! Answering only stokes the flames. It was a great success with funding at 250%, The Babylon Bee has reported that a new pro-wrestler is taking the WWE by storm. Eastern and northern black bears are largely dependent on acorns. I'll bet that he had a backpack full of granola bars, beef jerkey and popcorn, and the bear attacked him to get at the food. Do you know all the signs you are seriously regretting giving this bear your number has. Survive on the prowl, likely hunting for food, not mothers protecting cubs second look, they see they. The spray is guaranteed to fight Awareness on Patreon, Disclaimer: Bearmageddonnews.com is Satire decisions now! Your tent or confront you aggressively in your campsite or cooking area should also be drawn if you a... 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