Black Bears
Excerpt from conversation with my mother from August, 2006:Mama Close: What would happen if you were eaten by a bear out in the woods?
Me: He would probably get indigestion. My diet is terrible.
In all seriousness, the Pennsylvania Black Bear has been migrating to Ohio steadily over the last few years (primarily young bears are coming across the border from Pennsylvania and West Virginia). They have been sighted in 31 Ohio counties, including five sightings locally in Richland County (all believed to be from the same Black Bear). Some wildlife specialists conservatively estimate that the population in Ohio has tripled since the 1990s.
All About The Black Bear:
The Pennsylvania black bear (or Ursus Americanus) is the only type of bear found in Ohio. There are around 100 black bears living inside of Ohio (compare that to Pennsylvania where there are about 10,000). The Pennsylvania Black Bear is an endangered species in Ohio - harming or hunting a bear carries a $1000 fine.
Despite their name, black bears can be cinnamon or even blonde colored in addition to the more common black. Bears have been a part of the earliest lore of our country, with many frontiersman telling tall tales of their exploits fending off ferocious black bears. Perhaps it is from these stories, or from humanity's natural fear of the unknown, that black bears gain such a feared and vicious persona. Black bears are known for being far less aggressive than grizzly bears.
All boys and leaders in Scouting should learn about basic safety precautions to help avoid contact with bears, and should contact occur, make it a safe contact. When backpacking overnight through heavily populated bear counties our troop will take the precaution of hanging "smellables" (deodorant, toothpaste, food, snacks, drink mixes, dishes, etc.) in a bear bag a distance from our campsite.
Reasons You Should Respect The Pennsylvania Black Bear:
Adult black bears generally weigh 200 to 600 pounds, and have been known to weigh as much as 900 pounds. They stand 3 feet tall on all fours, but can be 5 to 7 feet tall when standing upright.
Bears can outrun you. They have good stamina and can run at up to 35 mph.
Bears can outclimb you. Even their young are good tree-climbers, and their only limitation is a tree's ability to hold them.
Bears can swim. They eat fish, remember?
Reasons Not To Fear The Pennsylvania Black Bear:
There were less than 30 fatalities attributed to black bears in the last 100 years (worldwide). Compare that number to the approximately 500 people killed EVERY year by being struck by lightning. Most of them involved humans firing weapons at bears or invading their cubs; those that didn't generally involved a dispute over food or garbage.
Humans are almost always given opportunity to back away from a bear. Bears usually give warning signs such as standing upright, growling, and popping their jaw in and out of place.
Black bears are quite shy creatures, and boys have never been known for being especially quiet (unless they're sleeping).
Black bears rarely attack people unless they feel threatened or are provoked.
What To Do If You Encounter A Black Bear:
1.) Stay Calm - If you see a bear and it hasn't seen you, leave the area calmly. While moving away, talk to help the bear discover your presence.
2.) Get Back - If you have a close encounter, back away slowly while facing a bear. Avoid direct eye contact, which a bear may perceive as a threat. Give the bear plenty of room to escape. Wild bears rarely attack people unless they feel threatened or provoked. If you're on a trail, step off on the downhill side and slowly leave the area.
3.) Don't Climb Or Run - If a cub is nearby, try to move away from it. But be alert, there could be other cubs. Never climb a tree to escape because sows chase their cubs up trees when they detect danger. If you climb a tree, a sow may interpret that as an attempt to get her cubs. Stay on the ground and don't run or make any sudden movements. Running may prompt the bear to give chase, and you can't outrun a bear.
4.) Pay Attention - Bears will use all of their senses to figure out what you are. If they recognize you as a person, some may stand upright or move closer in their efforts to detect odors in the air currents. Don't consider this a sign of aggression. Once a bear identifies you, it will usually leave the area. However, if the bear stays, it may pop its jaws as a warning sign that it's uncomfortable. That's a sign for you to leave. Back away and slowly leave the area. If you ignore the jaw popping warning, some bears have been known to bluff charge to within a few feet. If this occurs, wave your arms wildly and shout at the bear.
5.) Fight Back - Black bear attacks in the eastern United States are rare. However, they have occurred. If a bear attacks, fight back. Bears have been driven away when people have fought back with rocks, sticks, binoculars and even their bare hands.
Much of this information taken from the Pennsylvania guide "Living With Pennsylvania's Black Bears". You can find out more by clicking HERE.