Are there brown bears in Northern most California forests? (Crescent City: campers, live)

[gregf72]

Hi moving to northern California, I love being in the wilderness, are there brown bears? or are there many black bear attacks on campers? ~ Thanks alot , I am talking six rivers or siskiyou area tip top Nor Cal , thanks alot

[sourdough]

Last brown(grizzly) was 1922. Only Black bears and they generally avoid people unless food is involved or you get between a mother and cub. In general and in bear country there is safety in numbers. Somebody is bound to be slower than you.

[Bulldogdad]

There are large brown black bears in many areas of California. No, generally black brown bears do not attack people unless provoked, protecting cubs or protecting a food source.

Older males can get rather large but no where near the size or aggression as a grizzly which I assume is what you are talking about.

No grizzlys in California however we do a transient wolf spending time in Norcal/Oregon

Your more likely to be attacked by a mountain lion in this state. Which rarely ever happens.

[Hawk J]

Some of the black bear are a cinnamon color.

[eureka1]

I have seen bears grazing on the slope off Hwy 101 south of Crescent City. When you go hiking it's good to make some noise. Cougars are more frequent.

[freepelican]

Okay, what should one do if they encounter:

1. a big bear

2. a cougar

I've been told various things so don't know what to believe at this point.

[leftcoastie]

Definitely... but, they're actually Black Bears.
If you encounter one in the wild, don't run; You'll trigger their predator drive and they'll come after you.
Make yourself big... grab a stick, a limb... put you arms in the air, make noise.
I've heard that with bears you can drop and play dead, but I dunno if I'd try that right after they're get out of hibernation. They're hungry then!

[OwlKaMyst]

Originally Posted by freepelican

Okay, what should one do if they encounter:

1. a big bear

2. a cougar

I've been told various things so don't know what to believe at this point.

I would much rather encounter a bear than a mountain lion- and have done so on a few occasions, was stalked once. Bears are noisy as they move through the woods, cats....you would never know they are there unless you are downwind.
A bear does not want to mess with you as much as you don't want to mess with it. They are a bit on the skittish side, so any loud noise will usually send them running. But the best thing to do is quietly and cautiously, with one eye on the bear....go the other direction.

A mountain lion on the other hand has such a regal confidence to it, it looks at you like a play toy.
No way to tell, but a fed lion usually does not care and will just sit and watch. A bored or hungry lion is a bit more unpredictable. Have a whistle and a big stick. When encountering a big cat, keep moving, DON'T RUN! Don't make eye contact, but keep an eye on the cat. Just keep moving at the pace you had been in a direction away from the cat.
If you are followed, keep moving, don't run. Have your whistle and stick ready. If the cat gets too close, at some point you have a decision to make, stop and blow the whistle long and hard, keep walking blowing the whistle, and if very close, get ready to use the stick, go for the eyes.

Now anyone on a visit to the parks and such, your encounters will be rare. I have only had the encounters I have had because I have lived miles away from populated areas, recreational areas, higher elevation in the middle of nowhere for 20 years.
Vacationers really have little to worry about.

[freepelican]

Yes, I've heard/read run, play dead, and make noise -- in fact, all three multiple times! That's why I'm confused. :-) My instinct would be to make as much noise as I could like banging rocks together but don't know if they would excite some bears even more???

What about cougars? My instinct would be to walk away slowly talking sweetly to the big cat. This is what I've always done when I encounter potentially dangerous mammals.

[freepelican]

Hi Owl, I was writing my last message before I saw yours. Taking along a whistle is a great idea... or perhaps a musical instrument of some kind that makes a really loud noise. Something like an ocarina? If the "noise" doesn't work, perhaps you could play music to "soothe the savage beast!"