Black Bear Encounters
If you Encounter a Bear:
Never 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.
Never Run from a Bear- stay calm, speak in a loud and calm voice, slowly back away and leave the area.
Use Noise to Scare away Bears from Your Campsite- yell, clap, or bang pots immediately upon sighting a bear near your campsite.
Do Not Throw Your Backpack or Food Bag at an Approaching Bear
- Doing so 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.
Most black bears prefer to avoid humans.
In Your Yard:
- From a safe distance, make loud noises by shouting or banging pots to scare the bear away.
- Once the bear leaves, remove all attractants such as bird seed, garbage, and pet food.
- Ask neighbors to remove attractants.
In a Building:
- Give the bear a clear escape route.
- Leave any doors open as you back away from the bear.
- Do not lock the bear in a room.
If a Bear Becomes Aggressive and:
- Raise your arms and speak in a loud, calm voice while backing away.
- Stand your ground.
- If you have bear spray, dispense directly at the bear. Please follow the link leaving the DEC's website to learn about the proper use of bear spray.
- Stay together.
- Do not run, but continue to back away while speaking loudly.
- If the bear continues to follow you:
- Stand your ground.
- Intimidate by making yourself look bigger by waving arms, clapping, shouting, banging sticks.
- Prepare to fight or use bear spray.
- If the bear makes contact with you:
- Fight back with anything at hand (knife, stick, rocks, 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.
Know Where Bears are Active - Contact the NYS DEC 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
- 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 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.