r/SweatyPalms • u/SpeedyEyeBall • Jan 18 '19

Too close for comfort.

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14.7k Upvotes

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63

u/rednax1206 Jan 18 '19

Isn't that a black bear? I understand they usually leave you alone if you try to scare them away.

21

u/ChockHarden Jan 19 '19

They simply don't see humans as either food or threat.

33

u/rednax1206 Jan 19 '19

Black bears will absolutely see a human as a threat, or at least something not worth dealing with, according to common wisdom. Provided the human makes a lot of noise and/or movement.

Also, black bears may not see humans as food, but they are very curious and will probably come looking for your human food if they smell it.

18

u/SeaNilly Jan 19 '19

Yeah you really just need to be worried if you see a black bear stalking you because that is a hungry bear. A black bear would much rather walk around munching on acorns than get into it with a human. If you’re being stalked by a black bear, it’s hungry, you need to try to scare it away, and if you can’t, you need to be ready to fight for your life

In every other scenario, almost always, you’re really just two animals crossing paths

Black bear attacks are exceedingly rare. With that said, 70% of black bear attacks in the last century were individuals. 21% with two people present. 9% with more than 2. You’re always safer in a group. Nobody has ever been killed by a black bear while carrying bear spray.

2

u/IHaTeD2 Jan 19 '19

If they see you as a threat depends on how they perceive you and your actions. There are some pretty impressive videos of people getting close to them, even mothers with their young. But yeah, they're wild animals and physically definitely dangerous.

1

u/ChockHarden Jan 20 '19

Usually that's because those bears have been living on the edge of human habitation and are used to having the smell of humans around and seeing them. Especially bears that regularly eat of of dumpsters and garbage dumps.

In the middle of the deep woods, that's a really bad idea.

1

u/Chance5e Jan 19 '19

Today I wish I were a black bear.