Lions and Tigers and BEARS! Oh My!

Did you know, over half of all of New York’s black bears call the Adirondack Park home? Wow right? That said, it is probably a good idea to have some knowledge of how to stay safe in case we happen to cross paths. Whether just visiting, or calling the Adirondacks home, it’s good to understand our neighbors, human and animal alike.  

Black bears are an elusive creature, tending to stay out of the way unless they are hungry. And after napping for 5 months, you would be hungry too! Human stuff like garbage, bird feeders, and even your pet’s food can seem extra attractive to a hungry black bear, so keep it inside and secured to avoid an unwanted house guest. 

Time and again, close encounters do happen. Be prepared with these tips from Adirondack.net 

1.Black bears react aggressively if they feel threatened, so you should never approach, surround, or corner a bear, especially if a cub is nearby.

2.Don't run from a black bear. Slowly back away and leave the area if one is close to you.

3.Avoid throwing your backpack or food at an approaching bear.

4. If you think a bear is close to your campsite, yell, clap, or bang pots together to scare it away.
5. If you notice a bear on your lawn, make loud noises from a safe distance to scare it away. Then, make sure any bear attractants are removed, such as garage or bird food.
6. If there's a black bear in your house or building, make sure the bear has an escape route so it can leave on its own. Also, don't lock the bear in a room or close doors as you move away from it.

If a black bear becomes aggressive, follow these instructions:

1. If it approaches you, raise your arms, back away slowly, and speak in a loud, clear voice.
2. If it charges you, don't run, and use bear spray if you have it.
3. If it follows you, keep moving and speaking loudly. Don't run and stay in a group.
4. If it doesn't stop following you, stand your ground, try to intimidate the bear, and prepare to fight with bear spray.
5. If it makes contact, fight back with anything at hand.

Black bear sightings and those attempting to feed bears should be reported to the DEC to insure the public and animals alike remain safe.  

Although it’s few and far between, encounters can have a happy outcome if you know how to handle yourself. When hiking, camping, or just hanging out, always be aware that we share the forests with many different creatures. Black bears are amazing and beautiful, and with the right preparedness, we all can enjoy the Adirondacks together.