Were the words ringing in our ears as the ranger hung her head out the check-in station window.
I didn't pay attention because I was already keeping my distance, but there were many who weren't. The second sighting was even worse. Just down the road, minutes after our first black bear sighting, were two more black bears roving through the forest. A good indicator that a black bear is in the vicinity would be to pay close attention to how many cars are unlawfully parked on the side of the road, not to mention the herd of people. Now, be sure to stay behind the 'not-to-bright' layer of people who are standing way too close in the event that the black bears attack!
Alright, I'll be straight with you, black bear attacks are extremely rare, but in the event that you come face-to-face with one someday, here is some advice I found for dealing with such a situation.
Speak calmly and slowly back away. Doing so identifies you as a person, will show that you are non-threatening, and will allow some space between you and the black bear. Cody's advice to me, prior to our camping trip, was to not run away. Whatever you do, DON'T RUN! Their natural instinct is to chase you whether they want to or not.
Now, I also read that since they are usually very timid, you can scare them away by yelling, banging pans, or by make any other sorts of loud and obnoxious noises to scare them.
Thankfully, we weren't involved in any encounters that required rash decision making!
They were all rather difficult to photograph because of the tall grass and constant movement. Luckily, Cody got this awesome video so that we could share the experience with you!
PSA: For the record, I just want to say that it is NOT OKAY to park your vehicle in the middle of the road, mush less get out of the vehicle that is holding up traffic! Who does that?! Seriously. Especially on a busy road like Skyline Drive! I was dumbfounded by that display of stupidity.
Please, don't do that :D
The guy's just sniffing things out and trying to ignore you. Great video of him doing his thing!
ReplyDelete(It almost sounds as if there are people banging pots in the background...)
Cool a black bear. We've always wanted to see one up close. We're from Grizzly Bear territory originally (western Canada) and we never wanted to see one of those up-close.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of bears is why I like sleeping in hotels. I admire your spirit of adventure!
ReplyDeleteThere has been a black bear sighting, too, here in Timucuana, Jacksonville close by Stacy's place. Andrew and I saw it on the
ReplyDelete6:00 clock p.m. news. The bear
was up on a tree resting comfortably. They had to call a professional bear catcher.
bears are cool, but i don't want to see one close up either. recently, a guy around here had a bear come up to him in his driveway. they actually tussled a bit - the guy had scratches and a black eye. finally, the bear just grabbed the sandwich the guy was holding and ran off.
ReplyDeleteshould've just offered him the sandwich to begin with.
anyway.
wow - that is amazing. But you're right, people hopping out of cars and holding up traffic are just crazy (and rude)
ReplyDeleteI love the ears! *runs up to get a bear hug*
ReplyDeleteWhat? Not s'post to do that?
We had a bear visit our campsite at a hike-in camp area in NH. No amount of banging pots and clapping hands intimidated this bear! He emptied our cooler and made a "bluff charge" at us before we backed away and spent the night in a 4X6 outhouse with 2 adults and 4 teenagers. He had a party and destroyed 3 tents while eating everything that wasn't hung from pulleys. Someday I'll write about it on my blog. I love your video.
ReplyDeleteWow...you are much more daring than I! We camp at Ritz Carlton. haha.
ReplyDeleteYeah, people are the bears worse enemies. Black Bears have very poor eyesight and if you raise your hands and anything in your hands, wave them around. The bear will think you are that big. === When Jed and I were in the SNP once we came upon a big bear and her 2 cubs right on the trail. We retreated back up the trail. Told a woman with 2 small children to be aware. She tells the kids there are bears up the trail and off they ran in the direction of the bears. STUPID STUPID people, and if the bear should attack, it gets killed just for protecting it's babies from a STUPID human. -- Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now... Sue "Hammock Hanger" Turner
ReplyDeletewow, I've only seen 3 bears in the wild. but my brother is a game biologist and I have held and bottlefed some cubs. great fun1 Here’s my photo story. happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteWhat an experience!
ReplyDeleteWe were just in Yellowstone and saw people get out of their cars and walk up to buffalo sitting in the grass along the road... um yeah that's smart -- NOT
We have seen several bears in the Shenandoah National Forest as we cross the mountains headed toward Luray, VA. I just hope people will leave them alone and let them survive!
ReplyDeleteI didn't see bears when I was at Yellowstone but I was freaked out during an early evening hike. I was so scared. There have been black bear sightings here in the piedmont recently.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any bears since my last trip to the Yukon, but last night I was sitting in the empty theatre parking lot at about 11:30 waiting for Barry to finish work and a coyote ambled past ... I'm so glad you had a great trip.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, how fabulous to be up so close! Pretty cute fuzzy fellow...
ReplyDeletewe see all types of wildlife on our drive to the lake. every time. a bear, a moose, deer, a fox. i love those sightings.
ReplyDeletePeople do really stupid things when wildlife is present. I know exactly what you mean!! I, however, stay in the car where it's safe. And hotels. You don't get black bears rummaging through your room looking for food. Cool video.
ReplyDeletecavoli un orso! un gran bel blog!
ReplyDeleteMy first bear encounter was in Yosemite, maybe 10 years ago. It was dusk, my friend Jan & I were resting on the trail... and doombie - doodie - doombie - doodie, along came a brown, black bear - big. We climbed up the hill - and it countinued doombie-dooding on the trail.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds exactly what it's like to visit Yellowstone National Park. You know there is an animal ahead when the traffic completely stops. People amaze me sometimes!
ReplyDeleteNot a bear fan... Like to see them on the internet and hear of other peoples "adventures" with them, but when they're everywhere on your property all the time??? You get a little wary of them.
ReplyDeleteGreat vid