Black Bear Encounters
If You Encounter a Bear at Your Campsite
Do:
Most black bears prefer to avoid humans.
- Use noise to scare bears away: Yell, clap, or bang pots immediately upon sighting a bear near your campsite.
- Stay calm: Walk slowly and speak in a loud and calm voice.
- Leave slowly: Cautiously back away from the bear and leave the area.
Don't:
- Approach, surround, or corner a bear: Bears aggressively defend themselves when they feel threatened. Be especially cautious around cubs as mother bears are very protective.
- Run from a bear: They may chase.
- Throw your backpack or food bag at an approaching bear: This will only encourage bears to approach and "bully" people to get food. By teaching a bear to approach humans for food, you are endangering yourself, other campers/residents, and the bears.
If You Encounter a Bear in A Building
Do:
- Provide an exit for the bear: Give the bear a clear escape route out of the building.
- Leave doors open: As you back away from the bear, leave all doors open.
Don't:
- Lock the bear in a room: Locking the bear in the room creates a more frustrated bear. This endangers yourself and other who will release the bear from the building in the future.
Further Action
- If a bear approaches you: Raise your arms and speak in a loud, calm voice while backing away.
- If a bear charges you: Stand your ground. If you have bear spray (leaves DEC website), dispense directly at the bear.
- If a bear follows you: Stand your ground. Intimidate by making yourself look bigger by waving arms, clapping, shouting, or banging sticks. Prepare to fight or use bear spray.
- If a bear makes contact with you: Fight back with anything at hand (knife, stick, rocks, or fists).
Did you know?
A bear standing on its hind feet is not a prelude to
an attack. Bears stand taller so they can get a
better view and smell of their surroundings.
Plan Ahead
Remove all attractants: Follow DEC's guidelines for reducing human-bear conflicts at home, at your campsite, and while in the backcountry by removing all attractants from the area.
Pack bear spray: Purchase and learn how to use bear spray (leaves DEC website) before the trip.
Use the buddy system: Multiple people together appear to be a greater threat to the bear in case of an encounter. Do not separate.
Contact the NYSDEC about the area you plan to visit:
- Eastern Adirondacks: (518) 897-1291
- Western Adirondacks: (315) 785-2261
- Northern Catskills: (607) 652-7367
- Southern Catskills: (845) 256-3098
- Central New York: (607) 753-3095 ext. 247
- Eastern Allegany region: (607) 776-2165, ext. 16
- Western Allegany region: (716) 372-0645
To report the feeding of bears or a bear encounter, contact the nearest regional DEC wildlife office.
For more information about black bears, check out:
- Reducing human-bear conflicts-Advice on avoiding conflicts with bears in your back yard as well as in the backcountry.
- Black bears-Black bear facts, home range map, and links to other DEC black bear resources.
