Hiking in Black Bear Country

There are over 15,0000 black bears in Colorado, and no brown bears. The last brown bear–also called a grizzly bear–was killed back in the 1950’s. But black bears are often brown in color, so some folks mistake them for their larger cousins. Black bears are typically non-confrontational and will try to avoid humans. I’ve encountered several bears while hiking, and in every situation, they’ve quickly noticed me, turned away and high-tailed it in the opposite direction. However, if a black bear feels threatened or senses that you’re a threat to its cubs, it’s likely to become aggressive. Though unlikely, the worst-case scenario is to stumble upon and surprise a momma with babies. Let’s look at how to stay aware in bear country, and then what to do if that worst-case scenario were to happen.

Tips for Avoiding Black Bears

The best way to avoid an encounter with a black bear is to be bear-aware while hiking. Here are some tips:

  1. Make noise: Black bears are more likely to avoid humans if they hear them coming. Make noise by talking, singing, or wearing a bear bell. I personally don’t wear a bear bell, but if I’m hiking in high willows or other areas where I can’t see very far in front of me, I’m keen to whistle or talk.
  2. Hike in groups: Hiking with a group makes you less vulnerable to any wildlife you might come upon. Hike with a friend, and if you’re hiking solo, always leave an itinerary with a friend or family member.
  3. Stay on the trail: Avoid bushwhacking or off-trail hiking, as it increases your chances of encountering a bear. Plus, it’s just good form (leave no trace) to hike established trails.
  4. Keep a clean campsite: If you’re camping, keep your site clean and free of food scraps, as this can attract bears. On multi-day trips, I’ll hang a bear bag or bring a bear canister to keep the scents out of my sleeping area. And it should go without saying, but always keep food and scented items like deoderant and toothpaste out of your tent. A friend of mine got pulled out of his tent by the foot by a bear in Yosemite because he had a bagel in his tent.

What to Do If You Encounter a Black Bear

A buddy of mine was crawling into a cave down in the Sangre DeCristo mountains when he bumped into something big, black, and furry. He shined his headlamp around to discover several other bears, all snoring. Thankfully, it was still winter and the bears were hiberating. Needless to say, he and his friends crawled out of there fast. You’re probably not likely to go crawling into shallow caves, but there is a small chance you might encounter a bear while hiking. Here’s some widely agreed upon best practices for that worst-case scenario.
As a kid, I was pursued by a pack of wild dogs (this was rural Ohio in 1982), and I had to use this same advice, and it worked.

  1. Stay calm: Don’t panic. Don’t run. Animals read you, and act accordingly. Speak calmly and firmly to the bear. With the three ferrel dogs, my dad had told me,”If you see them and they come after you, tell them, ‘No, stay there’ in a firm voice.” I did–and the dogs froze. It was cool, gave me some confidence, and then I was able to gather my 6-year-old self to do the next thing.
  2. Back away slowly: Slowly back away from the bear while keeping an eye on it. With the wild dogs, this worked just like my dad said it would. He also told me to throw some rocks–not at them–but at their feet. I wouldn’t suggest that with a bear, but it worked with the dogs, slowed them down, and bought me some more time so I could get closer to the house.
  3. Make yourself bigger: If the bear continues to approach you, make yourself look bigger by raising your arms or holding up a jacket. This is also a proven tip when encountering a mountain lion. If you’re in the backcountry, the animal is probably thinking, “What is this weird creature.” Then you suprise it by growing larger, and they think, “Yeah, this thing is weird–and big. I’m going to avoid it. Just don’t do it in an aggressive way; you’ll trigger it’s instincts to fight. Just keep backing up and growing bigger.
  4. Use bear spray: In the unlikely chance that the bear charges you, use bear spray to deter it. That requires having some bear sprey. I hike solo sometimes, but I personally don’t carry bear spray. I figure that stuff is for hiking in Kodiak Alaska for a week. But I do carry a small mace spray. Personally, I’m more concerne about a human being than a bear when hiking solo, but I’m sure mace would at least be helpful if a bear was getting aggressive.
  5. If you’re being attacked: Remember this mnemonic “If bear’s black fight back. That’s not in reference to the bear’s colore but the type of bear you’re dealing with. Like I said at the beginning, there are no brown bear’s in Colorado, only black bears (thought their color will often be brown). Here’s what the National Parks Service has to say “FIGHT BACK WITH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE! Do not play dead. Direct punches and kicks at the bear’s face, and use any weapon like rocks, branches, or bear spray to defend yourself.”

Conclusion

Honestly, I get really excited to see a bear on the trail. Our family was just in Yosemite, and we encountered one crossing the top of a waterfall. He was absolutley stunning. When he finally noticed us, he turned and left. But, like all wildlife, they deserve our deep respect. They are as wild and powerful as they are beautiful. While not exhaustive, following the tips in this post will help keep you safe and aware while hiking in bear country.

PS: Wild Dogs Story

You’re probably wondering about those wild dogs. Here’s the whole story: When I was in kindergarten, we lived on an old dairy farm surrounded by corn and soybean fields. In the mornings, I would walk our long lane out to the road and wait for the bus. One day, waiting for the bus, I noticed a bunch of deer running across the swamplands across the road. Behind them were a pack of dogs. After school, I told my parents about what had happened, and my dad said that packs of wild dogs were actually a thing, and what to do if I ever encountered them. Well, about a month later, I was rounding the bend on the lane, about 75 yards from our house, and right up the lane came three of these wild dogs. I vividly rememver the one in the lead was a mangy three-legged thing, but it didn’t seem to slow him down. They were probalby ten yards out when I first notice them, and I froze. Then I remembered what my dad had told me. First, I said, “No! Stop right there” I talked to them like they were domesticated dogs, and like I was their master. It worked. I remember them being kinda shocked and stopping. Then I bent down, keeping my eyes on them, and picking up some rocks. I kept backing up while throwing the rocks at their feet. That worked too. I kept doing this until I was close enough to run, then I sprinted to the garage, slammed the door behind me and about peed my 6-year-old pants.