Black Bears and Backpackers

You may have heard that black bears aren't as dangerous to backpackers as grizzlies. This is true in general, but there are many cases of black bear attacks. What can you do to avoid an attack, and how can you deal with an attack once it has begun? Here are some guidelines.

Avoiding a Black Bear Attack

Make noise when you are hiking. Most of the time a black bear will get out of your way if it knows you are coming. But if you surprise it, it may attack. When hiking with a friend, a conversation is enough noise. Otherwise, you may want to wear "bear bells" or sing a song.

Be less colorful. You are much more easily spotted from a long distance when you are bright yellow or red. Recently, in Alaska, it has noted that bears see the color and come closer to investigate. While it isn't clear that this is the case with black bears, it is something to consider when buying that rain jacket.

If there are bears in the area, don't cook where you sleep. Stop along the trail to fire up that stove and cook dinner, and then continue hiking for a while before stopping for the night. If you have set up camp already and want to cook, hike a short distance away to do so. You want to keep the odors away from where you are sleeping.

Hang your food ten feet high and four feet out from the trunk of a tree. This can be difficult in some areas that don't have many large trees. I have found that rather than using twine, it is easier to lift the food bag up with a stick (my walking stick) and hang it from a knob on a good branch. Some backpackers swear by the technique of keeping food with them, in zipped plastic bags inside other plastic bags. This may work if every last odor is contained, but that seems unlikely.

Bluff Attacks Versus Hunting Attacks

Bears generally attack out of fear. When surprised, especially if they have cubs nearby, they attack to try to scare you away. These kinds of attacks may end without contact, or the animal may knock you down. The bear will generally growl a lot, and act very angry. You should try talking calmly as you slowly back away. If the attack continues, interlace your fingers behind your neck to protect it, and curl up in the fetal position. The bear may just bat you around for a few seconds before leaving.

There is another type of attack, however. This is when you are being stalked and hunted as prey. While not common, black bears will sometimes hunt humans for food. If this is the intent of the animal, you don't want to "play dead," or you will be dead. You need to fight for your life.

With these attacks, the bear will be quieter. He will likely have his nose down, ears folded back, and be watching you closely as he approaches. He is checking you out to determine if you are easy prey. Don't be. Yell at the bear, wave your trekking poles, and do anything else you can to convince the bear that you are more trouble than you are worth.

If you have something to put between you and the bear, that can help. One man who was being hunted by a black bear continued to push his video camera at the bear as the attack continued for fifteen minutes. That and his yelling kept the bear back until his friends arrived (and made for an excellent video). Running usually won't work, although if you have no other choice, remember that black bears are slower when going downhill.

Finally, use anything you can for a weapon. If there are two or more backpackers, a sustained defense using rocks, sticks and yelling can change the black bears mind. Bear spray, a freon horn and whistles can help as well.

Every chapter has tips for lightweight backpacking and wilderness survival.