Saturday, April 9, 2011

Black Bear Alert

A steady wind through tall evergreens makes a loud shushing noise. Though it's spring, we're still blanketed in white at high altitude. However, the Forest Service warns that black bears are awakening in Summit County, grouchy with hunger, foraging for food still scarce because of the snow. So, with the constant wind blocking other sounds, I'm hyper-vigilent navigating through wilderness.


Years ago, in the summertime, I was walking on the trail behind our house. Suddenly, I was aware of a hulking form walking beside me not 6' away.  A black bear had approached me from behind and was strolling through the woods with me. When I stopped, the bear stopped. Each of its thousands of glossy black-tipped hairs seemed to register separately in my brain. Time stood still, and my focus narrowed: The bear turned to face me. Unblinking caramel eyes stared. A wet black nose quivered in my direction.

My heart hammered in my ears. Slowly, I began backing away, inch by inch, aware that I could trip and fall backward if I wasn't very careful. I consciously made myself unthreatening, keeping my gaze averted. Surely, my vulnerability was communicated to the bear, who outweighed me by at least 300 pounds.

Meanwhile, Bear stood quietly, sniffing the air, watching with interest, but showing no aggression. Finally, after a couple minutes which seemed an eternity, he turned away from me  and continued on the same journey through the forest that was interrupted by our meeting. Barely breathing, I waited until he was out of sight before moving quickly and quietly in the opposite direction.

I was absolutely powerless in the bear's presence. He decided to let me live. Even now, remembering the experience, my adrenaline surges. For no discernible reason, I was spared. I'm thankful to that bear. I'm not particularly wanting another close encounter, though I'm aware that a chance meeting could occur at any time. Meanwhile, I'm alert to my surroundings.

In spring, the Earth awakes from winter slumber - and so does Bear.

29 comments:

  1. oh dear. what an experience! glad you walked away from that one!

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  2. Wonderful description. I have encountered bears in the woods on several occasions, and sometimes they have fled lightning-fast and other times they have looked at me quizzically for a while before moving on. The sightings are heart-thumpers either way!

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  3. I know, of course, that bears are not to be toyed with and that they can become extremely threatening and vicious..but this was such a beautiful story (although I realise how frightening it must have been for you at the time...good you kept your head and remained calm even if not cool!) I still think it must have been a thrilling encounter to have been so close and yet, there was trust in spite of fear.

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  4. That is just plain scary, Barb. Be careful out there. I have heard singing keeps them away. But, I'll bet you didn't feel like singing right then, did you?

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  5. It must have taken everything you had not to turn and run -- which I know is the wrong thing to do.

    I'm not so sure I would have been able to remain so calm.

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  6. I'm glad the bear didn't harm you, and this post should be a reminder for those who wander in nature at this time!

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  7. Wow. I wonder if I would've been as cool under pressure as you were!

    Pearl

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  8. You behaved very wisely, Barb, and over and above that, probably the bear had finished a good breakfast that morning, - been to Goldilocks house, maybe!

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  9. What a terrifying experience! Thank goodness the bear decided to leave you alone.

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  10. Wow, what an experience. I saw a Bear in Yellowstone in 2000 and will never forget how big he was. I stopped and took a photograph.....
    You are wise to be aware....
    Be careful out there.
    Sherry

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  11. OH!!! (And here I thought my alligator might scare people.) Is it bears that you are supposed to make yourself big and noisy for and cougars small and quiet? Or is it the other way round? Or are both just a matter of 'for some reason you were spared'?

    An amazing experience. We have encountered bears on hikes, once on the Oregon coast, but it was across a small creek from us and paid us no mind. Once in a campground at Grand Teton NP (years ago before 'feeding'was discouraged. I was walking with my two littlest while Bill and the older two had gone up to a Lake. And I had told him to be careful -- they didn't see any bears at all.) That one was scary.

    I think your beautiful surroundings make the chance worth taking. Stay alert tho!

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  12. WOW, That must have been so scary yet so awesome at the same time.
    Glad you're here to tell the story.

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  13. Keep your bear radar up. Beautifully described, but it's one encounter I wish to avoid. Not sure I could keep my cool the way you did.

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  14. Wow - what an experience! A humbling one too.

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  15. Barb.
    I am stunned to read your story. I know you are wise to avoid....but..
    ....Please be careful!!
    Tomoko.

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  16. I am glad things worked out well. You knew how to act to reduce the danger. The last of our snow is gone (except snow piles in parking lots) and it is amazing to see all the white in your pictures

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  17. Wonderful story and I certainly would have been every bit as frightened as you.. if not more. But generally, bears will not harm someone for no reason. There are certainly unprovoked attacks but they tend to be more curious than anything for the most part. I'm glad you were just a curiosity for this one.

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  18. I just don't know what to say to that story Barb. How scary! And I'm glad that the bear decoded to leave you alone. Be careful out there!
    Love Di ♥

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  19. Wonderful story. I'm glad you were spared:)

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  20. If I hadn't told you already, I love your brand of writing. I can just read and read your posts.

    http://calrat.blogspot.com
    http://ewok1993.wordpress.com

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  21. Wow, amazing experience! I've never had a close encounter with a large wild animal. Sounds like you did the right things!

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  22. You still have way to much to give to others for any ole bear to want you for lunch...hehehe I think I asked you once if you were a pistol packin mama???? Maybe you should start carrying a beeper on you...you know like back country skiers and they get trapped in a avalanche ... if a bear decided you make you a snack...at least the beeper would let someone know...LOL Barb just kidding I hope you know...WOW that is a hair raising experience. What did Bob say??? when was this? and to think, after all that a little ole heart-attack gave you a scare...PHEW you are a woman of complete STEAL! hugs....me

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  23. Holy cow!! Or should I say "bear"? Regardless, I would have had to go home and change my pants!

    Did you ever consider that instead of 'sparing' you, he actually felt a connection? I think that some people give off very healthy vibes (for want of a better term) and animals sense these.

    Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. Perhaps when you come East, we can share a cheesesteak and a couple of soft pretzels! And I'll be stopping by again.

    PS I met my husband at Millersville and was married when I was a rising sophomore. I attended Upper Darby HS in Delaware County.

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  24. You describe this dangerous, spine tingling encounter so well. The stories about people's ill fated experiences with bears make one shudder.

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  25. Just so you know, black bears are usually not dangerous to humans. There have only been a handful of deaths caused by black bears in the last 50 years, and most of them were because someone was wearing or near food.

    You did exactly the right thing, calm, face them, do not run, back away slowly.

    We are lousy with bears in this area. We see dozens in any given year. Hit one on my bicycle a few years back. Had another come around a ledge and stand on his hind legs right in front of me. We both were mesmerized.

    Lots of fun!

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  26. I had a similar bear experience years ago - except that the bear "sneaked" up on me while I was eating breakfast in the yard. I'm glad that you came away OK. Stay on your toes... I think that the bears are waking up around here but maybe they'll sleep a bit longer there due to the deep snow.

    It is very rare for black bears to attack. When I see them, I often feel that they're as curious about me as I am about them.

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  27. oh my
    thank you for sharing your bear experience
    i love hearing bear stories
    rarely are they bad
    yet our heart beats faster at the thought of an encounter
    i also daily look for signs of bear, any day now
    be safe and i will too

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  28. Wow, that was a scary experience, Barb. I've only seen bears in Yellowstone, and luckily from a reasonable distance. I'd certainly rather avoid any close encounters!

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  29. Encounters with Mr. or Mrs. Black Bear in the woods can be heart-thumping and scary. I wouldn't wish this upon any unprepared person.

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Your comments are always one good thing for me!