Black Bear Myths

Many people in the Southeastern U.S. live in or near black bear habitat. Bears often walk through neighborhoods in their search for food; this is natural bear behavior. If people have stored [...]

It’s rare for mother black bears to attack a person in defense of cubs, because her cubs can climb trees when they feel threatened. When they are up in a tree she knows they are safe. Your best [...]

Playing dead is ALWAYS the wrong action if a black bear attacks you.  Instead, fight for your life. Kick, punch, hit the bear with rocks or sticks or any improvised weapon you can find.  A bear [...]

Menstruation does not increase the likelihood of an attack by a bear. Be sure to treat used sanitary products as you would food and garbage when hiking or camping. Wrap waste in plastic and store [...]

Black bear attacks are extremely rare. Most bears will retreat before you are even aware of their presence. That said, always stay alert in bear country and know the best ways to avoid problem [...]

Relocating an individual bear may temporarily solve a human-bear conflict. Public safety may occasionally require that an individual bear be killed. However, neither of these options are [...]

Bears have vision similar to us, and can see in color, too. Their night vision is very sharp and they detect movement quickly.

Black bears are excellent tree climbers, far better than you. If a black bear charges, stand your ground. The bear will likely break its charge and run away, or climb a tree to be safe from you. [...]

While black is the most common color of black bears in the Southeastern U.S., black bear coats in other areas can be cinnamon, blond, gray, or even white. The only species of bear that lives in [...]

A standing bear is simply trying to see, smell, or hear better than it can when on all fours.