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Hi, I'm going to the Monongahela National Forest this weekend .... and I'm scared of Bears!! We are staying in a cabin in the mountains and doing lots of hiking. Do you think we'll even come across many bears? Thanks for any help!
I'm not sure where that is but if bears do inhabit the area here's a few tips:
Most bears will run if they see or smell you. A sow and her cubs are a different matter though.
Make noise as you walk. Some hikers put bells on their shoe laces for this purpose.
If you see a bear and it doesn't run from you DO NOT RUN AWAY!!! This triggers their predatory response and they will chase and catch you. You are NOT going to out run a bear. Make noise, talk to it, make youself look as large as you can (open your jacket and spread it wide, if in a group all get close together).
If a bear stands up on it's hind legs he's trying to get a better look and or smell you. Bears NEVER attack on their hind legs.
If a black bear attacks FIGHT it!! Black bears do bluff attack but if they come in contact with you they want to kill you. Grizzlies will sometimes maul a person then leave after they percieve the person is not a threat. Curl in a ball and protect your face and head with your hands. By curling into a fetal position you protect your stomach and chest. If a griz. starts licking your blood and tasting you, fight it. It's planning on eating you.
Bring BEAR pepper spray not spray made for humans. If you know how to handle a firearm, bring a shotgun with buckshot or slugs.
Please don't let this scare you. Millions of people spend time in the wild with bears and never even see one. It can be scary thinking about "what if " but bears are amazing creatures and will leave you alone for the most part.
I give this info. ,not as an expert on the subject but as an avid outdoorsman and hunter who has spoken with people that live with bears year round. Be aware of your surroundings, keep an eye out and take the above precautions. you'll be fine and I hope you enjoy your wilderness adventure!
Hi, I'm going to the Monongahela National Forest this weekend .... and I'm scared of Bears!! We are staying in a cabin in the mountains and doing lots of hiking. Do you think we'll even come across many bears? Thanks for any help!
They will run away from you veryyyy fast!!!! ha ha I've lived in the Lower Glady area near Elkins for over 18 years and I've only seen like 6-7 bears in that whole time.... THEY ALL RUN!!! They are so pretty too. I imagine if you like confronted one with like food or something and attacked it, it would probably get angry and try to attack you back... Which I think is fair.. you attack it, it should be allowed to attack you... Thats what my mamma taught me... ha ha
Black bear are about as dangerous as a cottontail rabbit. 99% of the time they will run away. We camp regularly in Smoke Hole at Big Bend. (Part of the Monongahela National Forest) Bear country is rocky country...Smoke Hole is that with lots of cavities for dens.
I have always seen bear when we camp there.
If the others knew that bear were that close they would not camp in tents or use the site.
They always snoop around the garbage cans at night.
One rainy night we were sleeping in the van and three bear were 2 feet away. On the last trip in July, I was fishing and saw the biggest black bear ever, he was standing in the river edge looking directly at me, at about 50 to 75 yards. I would estimate him at several hundred pounds...his face was gray white from old age.
I circled out safely and went the long way to the camp site...
Bear were revered by the Indians because of their intelligence and humanlike tendencies.
I can't remember when a bear attack was reported in West Virginia...does anyone?
I'm not sure where that is but if bears do inhabit the area here's a few tips:
Most bears will run if they see or smell you. A sow and her cubs are a different matter though.
Make noise as you walk. Some hikers put bells on their shoe laces for this purpose.
If you see a bear and it doesn't run from you DO NOT RUN AWAY!!! This triggers their predatory response and they will chase and catch you. You are NOT going to out run a bear. Make noise, talk to it, make youself look as large as you can (open your jacket and spread it wide, if in a group all get close together).
If a bear stands up on it's hind legs he's trying to get a better look and or smell you. Bears NEVER attack on their hind legs.
If a black bear attacks FIGHT it!! Black bears do bluff attack but if they come in contact with you they want to kill you. Grizzlies will sometimes maul a person then leave after they percieve the person is not a threat. Curl in a ball and protect your face and head with your hands. By curling into a fetal position you protect your stomach and chest. If a griz. starts licking your blood and tasting you, fight it. It's planning on eating you.
Bring BEAR pepper spray not spray made for humans. If you know how to handle a firearm, bring a shotgun with buckshot or slugs.
Please don't let this scare you. Millions of people spend time in the wild with bears and never even see one. It can be scary thinking about "what if " but bears are amazing creatures and will leave you alone for the most part.
I give this info. ,not as an expert on the subject but as an avid outdoorsman and hunter who has spoken with people that live with bears year round. Be aware of your surroundings, keep an eye out and take the above precautions. you'll be fine and I hope you enjoy your wilderness adventure!
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR ADVICE!! REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!
Black bear are about as dangerous as a cottontail rabbit. 99% of the time they will run away. We camp regularly in Smoke Hole at Big Bend. (Part of the Monongahela National Forest) Bear country is rocky country...Smoke Hole is that with lots of cavities for dens.
I have always seen bear when we camp there.
If the others knew that bear were that close they would not camp in tents or use the site.
They always snoop around the garbage cans at night.
One rainy night we were sleeping in the van and three bear were 2 feet away. On the last trip in July, I was fishing and saw the biggest black bear ever, he was standing in the river edge looking directly at me, at about 50 to 75 yards. I would estimate him at several hundred pounds...his face was gray white from old age.
I circled out safely and went the long way to the camp site...
Bear were revered by the Indians because of their intelligence and humanlike tendencies.
I can't remember when a bear attack was reported in West Virginia...does anyone?
OMG!! several hundred pounds-- YIKES!! I've gotten some great tips, thank you.
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