Camping and hiking in Pennsylvania bear country
By J. Michael Wolfe
Pennsylvania Black Bear Specialist
Although black bears are generally shy and avoid contact with humans, it’s
important to remember that bears
must be respected for their size and strength. Do not deliberately approach a
bear or try to become chummy with
one, especially one that appears unafraid of you. Be smart: Keep your distance.
If you camp or hike in bear country, do everything you can to prevent close
encounters and conflicts with bears.
Giving a bear food will encourage it to approach other, unsuspecting people,
which could then lead to an unpleasant or
possibly dangerous encounter, and could lead to the bear having to be destroyed.
In essence, never reward a bear for
associating with people. It’s what’s best for you, the next person and the bear.
When hiking and/or camping in the woods:
1. Keep your campsite clean and odor free. Clean your gear and eating utensils
thoroughly after every meal. Burn all
remnants of food and CLEAN YOUR STOVE IF YOU HAVE PERFORMED ANY ACTIONS EXCEPT
FOR WATER BOILING.
2. Store your food in a STRONG BAG suspended from a tree branch. Never have food
in your tent.
3. Dispose of garbage properly. Pack out your garbage if you must, but
never leave your garbage behind.
4. If you hike at dawn or dusk, or where hearing or visibility is impaired (roar
of fast moving water, thick vegetation),
reduce your chances of surprising a bear by talking or making noise.
In short, keep your entire campsite free of all food smells.
What to do if you meet a bear:
Bear attacks are extremely rare, especially considering how often people
encounter them. In most cases, a
bear will detect you first and leave the area long before you’ll ever see it.
However, if you do meet a bear before it’s
had time to leave, here are some suggestions. But remember, every bear encounter
is different.
Stay calm—If you see a bear and it hasn’t seen you, leave the area
calmly. While moving away, talk to help the
bear discover your presence.
Get back—If you have a close encounter,
back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, which
a bear may perceive as a threat. Give the bear plenty of room to escape. Wild
bears rarely attack people unless they
feel threatened or provoked. If you’re on a trail, step off on the downhill side
and slowly leave the area.
Don’t climb or run—If a cub is nearby, try to move away from it. But be
alert, there could be other cubs. Never climb a
tree to escape, because sows chase their cubs up trees when they detect danger.
If you climb a tree, a sow may interpret
that as an attempt to get her cubs. Stay on the ground and don’t make any sudden
movements. Running may prompt the
bear to give chase; nobody can outrun a bear.
Pay attention—Bears will use all of their senses to figure out what you
are. If they recognize you as a person, some
may stand upright or move closer in their efforts to detect odors in the air
currents. Don’t consider this a sign of aggression.
Once a bear identifies you, it will usually leave. However, if the bear stays,
it may pop its jaws as a warning sign that it’s
uncomfortable. That’s a sign for you to leave. Back away and slowly leave the
area. If the jaw popping warning is ignored,
some bears have been known to bluff charge to within a few feet. If this occurs,
wave your arms wildly and shout at the bear.
Fight Back—Again, black bear attacks are extremely rare. However, they have
occurred. If a bear attacks, fight
back. Bears have been driven away when people have fought back with rocks,
sticks, binoculars and even their bare
hands.