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Black Bears - What you need to know Backpackers

May be true that black bears are not as dangerous as grizzly bears to backpackers, but there are many cases black bear attacks - some of them fatal. So even if you're in black bear country, there are some things you need to know. The first and perhaps the thing the most important thing is knowing how to avoid an attack.

How To avoid a Black Bear attack

Be loud. Usually, a black bear goes out of his way if you know who is going down the path. Surprisingly, however, and can attack. If you are hiking with a friend, a conversation is enough noise to announce their presence to local animals. If you are alone, you may want to use some bells "bear" or sing a song.

Be less striking. You can see from a distance when in bright clothing and colorful. In Alaska, there has been carrying out the bright colors and come to investigate, while often not see hikers in darker colors. It is not clear that this is the case of black bear, but it's something to consider when buying this rain jacket - especially if you will be backpacking in the open.

Do not cook when you sleep. Instead, a stop on the way to cook dinner, then continue walking for a while before stopping for the night. If you already have set up camp, walk a short distance to make dinner. The idea is to keep odors away from where you are sleeping.

Hang food out of reach. This usually means ten feet high and four feet from the trunk of a tree - difficult in some areas that do not have many large trees. Instead of using the ropes, it is often easier to lift the bag of food with a stick (I use my cane) and hang from a knob on a branch well. While some backpackers to keep food with them in zippered plastic bags inside plastic bags, unless each smell last figure, Bears are likely to come visiting.

Two types of attacks Black Bear

Bears, when he surprised - especially if they have puppies nearby - attack to try to frighten them. These are called "bluff attacks, and may end without contact, or the animal may start a couple of times. With this type of attack, the bear will growl a lot and seems very angry. Try to talk quietly as they slowly back away, or if the attack continues, interlace fingers behind your neck to protect it, and lie on the floor. The bear just might beat you around for a few seconds and then leave.

Unfortunately, this is not the only type of attack. There are also those in which it is being hounded and hunted. It is not common, but black bears sometimes humans for food. When this is intended not want to "play dead" or whether it will be soon. Fight for your life!

With this type of attack, the bear is likely to be quiet, down his nose, ears folded back, and you are watching closely as it moves toward you. He is trying to determine if you are easy prey, and not. Yell, swing your trekking poles, and do anything you can do to convince the bear that is too much trouble for a meal.

Putting something between you and the bear can help. A man who was being chased by a black bear in Michigan continued to push his video camera to bear such as the attack continued for almost half hour. The camera and shouts kept the bear a few feet away, until his friends arrived (and did for a great video too.) Running in general, does not work, but if they have no choice, remember that the black bear is slower when going downhill.

Use everything you can for a weapon, but be careful bending over to pick things. Lean can trigger a fee. When two or more backpackers, try a sustained advocacy with stones, sticks and shouting. This may change the mind the black bear. Other Stuff that can help include, bear spray, a freon horn and whistles.

About the Author

Copyright Steve Gillman. Visit the Wilderness Survival section of his web site, and get the ebook "Ultralight Backpacking Secrets" for free, at: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 at 12:33 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.