Introduction

One of the many highlights of visiting a National Park is the opportunity to sight, observe, and photograph wildlife. Shenandoah affords many opportunities to do that and many visitors find White-tailed Deer, a wide variety of birds, lots of butterflies, and, with some frequency, Black Bears. In most cases these wildlife encounters are events that visitors enjoy and that have no impacts on park wildlife. On the other hand, there are some instances when the encounters pose risks to both the visitor and the animal. This web page provides information to you that will greatly improve your chances of enjoying the chance to see a black bear in the wild.

Almost every year, park staff members are involved in taking steps to separate people from wildlife (hazing animals or relocating animals). Every once in a while, staff is forced to destroy an animal because risks have become too great. This usually involves animals that have received food from people and are habituated to being in very close proximity to us. You can help us avoid these situations.

For general information on how visitors should behave when viewing or photographing wildlife, please see the  Viewing and Photographing Wildlife web page.

For information specific to interactions with bears, read on …

NPS Photo

Keeping Bears and People Separated

When visiting the park you may spot a bear virtually any where (while hiking, camping, on a nature walk, or simply walking between your car and a lodge or restaurant). If you spot a bear:

• Maintain your distance from the bear (preferrably 200 feet or more).
• While hiking you may find yourself within 100 or less feet of a bear – make noise to make sure the bear knows you are present.
• If the bear moves closer to you, move away slowly but do not turn your back to the bear.
• Make noise and stay in groups
• Keep children close by.
• Take a detour in your route of travel but do not surround the animal.
• Consider retreating to your vehicle if it is nearby until the bear moves on.

Bears may be attracted to your food or garbage when you are picnicking or camping. To reduce the opportunity for bears to obtain food or garbage:

• Never try to feed a bear (What would you do if the bear found out you didn't have any more?).
• Only take out food you will be using.
• Be prepared to pack up quickly.
• Do not leave food or garbage in the open and unattended.
• Store food and trash in appropriate hard-sided facilities.
• Use food storage lockers or bear poles in campgrounds.
• Dispose of garbage in bear resistant trash cans and dumpstersDo not leave garbage (bagged or not) outside of a full trash can – find another one.
• If the bear gets to food or garbage anyway, do not attempt to get it back.

Compliance with these simple rules will go a long ways to prevent trouble with bears. You will find reminders of these rules at park campgrounds and picnic areas.

Photographing Bears

• General rules listed above apply.
• Never approach a bear for that “perfect shot”. Use telephoto lenses.
• Never entice an animal into a preferred pose with food or garbage.
• Never deliberately move or position yourself in order to alter a bears movement or behavior.
• Be considerate of the interests of others who may be observing or photographing the animal.

Avoiding Bears While Hiking

• Stay alert to your surroundings and the presence of wildlife while hiking.
• Make your presence known by keeping the wind to your back (your scent will alert bears), if possible hike in groups, and make noise.
• When you spot a bear, stay 300 feet or more away and never linger or take photographs for long periods.
• Slowly back away and leave the area or take a detour. Making noise during your retreat is appropriate. Keep children close to the group.
• Do not pursue and NEVER surround a bear. Give it room to escape.
• DO NOT run from a bear. Bears will pursue prey and flight is a signal to them to start pursuit.

Most of the time, avoidance or making noise will result in an uneventful encounter. There are circumstances when the bear perceives that the threat is more significant including situations where you may get between a sow and her cubs or you have simply startled the bear. For information on bluff charges or real charges, see below.

Big Meadows Campground food storage box.

Avoiding Bears While Camping in Developed Areas and the Backcountry

• Food preparation and clean up should be done well away from your tent and food storage area.
• Minimize the amount of food you prepare to reduce storage needs or waste
• Do not bring food into the tent. Clean all pots, pans, and grills thoroughly with unscented soap and water making sure no trace of food is left for animals to smell.
• Do not leave food lying around. Clean up everything right away after a meal and contain uneaten food in plastic bags or containers. Do not put cooking grease or food scraps in fire rings.
• Do not assume food and supply are safe in a car. If you must keep supplies in a car, lock it up in the trunk. It is not unknown for bears to try to break into cars through the windshield or windows! If coolers or other food storage containers are to be stored in the passenger compartment of a vehicle cover them so they can not be seen.
• Do not go to bed in the same clothes you were cooking in. Keep dirty clothes and packs outside the tent. If possible, use a bear resistant food container (BRFC), use a bear pole, or hoist your food in a tree ten feet off the ground and four feet out in a bear bag. Cookware and trash should be similarly secured.
• Be cautious of how you dispose of garbage. Try to dispose of garbage at a designated facility away from the campsite.
• If possible, try not to bring any sweet smelling items with you, like scented soap or cough syrup. (bears can't read the label and assume it is food.) If you must bring it at all, hoist it up in a tree in a bear bag or bear canister.
• Try not to wear anything with a scent, including deodorant and insect repellant after 4pm.
• If you have brought a pet with you, make sure that it is secured and on leash at all times. Do not leave pet food in dishes in anticipation that it will be eaten later on.

Encountering a Black Bear

If an encounter occurs …

Remain calm and don’t run. Like dogs, bears will often chase fleeing animals. You can't outrun a bear. They have been clocked at speeds up to 35 mph! Climbing a tree is futile since black bears excel at climbing trees. Jaw popping by the bear is a signal to you that it is uncomfortable.

Let the bear know you are human. Talk to it in a normal voice and wave your arms. If a bear cannot tell what you are, it may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious – not threatening.

Move away slowly, but don’t turn your back. If the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Black bears may approach at a measured pace and attack the human as prey. The calm appearance of the black bear may have lure some of their victims into a false sense of security.  If leaving the area is not an option or if the bear gets too close you should make yourself appear as large as possible. Lifting your arms and a pack over head, moving to higher ground or, if in a group, huddling together will help discourage the bear. Make louder noise by banging pots and pans or using other noisemakers, but never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal. Throwing objects at the bear may be appropriate but only when you are “cornered”. A black bear calmly and steadily approaching who is not bothered by yelling or thrown objects should be considered extremely dangerous.

Avoid eye contact with the animal.

If a bear charges…

Don’t run! Bears often make bluff charges, sometimes to within 10 feet of their adversary, without making contact. Usually if you hold your ground they will back off.

Discharge pepper spray if you have it. Make sure you know how to use pepper spray. Discharging pepper spray improperly could make matters worse if you incapacitate yourself or others in your party.

If a bear actually makes contact…

Fight back! In rare instances black bears perceive humans as prey – if you are attacked by a black bear fight back. Try to focus your attack on the bear’s eyes and nose.

Report Incidents

If you become aware of a situation where a bear is “hanging out” in a campground or picnic area, where people are deliberately feeding a bear, or if you are involved in bluff charge situation or an actual contact incident – report it to park staff immediately.

 Emergency Line: 800-732-0911