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Here's what to do, and not do, if you encounter a black bear. (Cocaine bear not included)

brian broom, mississippi clarion ledger
·3 min read

If you've seen the movie or even a trailer for Cocaine Bear, you already know what will happen if you come across a black bear — you'll likely die.

Okay, not really. That's a largely fictional horror comedy about a bear on a drug-fueled rampage and no one has ever seen a real bear act like that.

In reality, black bear behavior is just the opposite.

"Typically, a bear is going to be fearful of humans," said Anthony Ballard, Black Bear Program coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. "That's the way black bears act."

"They're intimidated by humans. Typically, a bear is going to see you and move away before you see it."

Even so, black bears are large, wild animals and should be treated with respect. And with Mississippi's black bear population increasing, the odds of people encountering bears are increasing, too.

BearWise is an organization formed by biologists to help people understand how to coexist with bears and a part of that message is advice on bear encounters.

So, here's what to do if you find yourself face to face with a black bear.

Mississippi's black bear population is growing. Here's what to do if you find yourself close to one.
Mississippi's black bear population is growing. Here's what to do if you find yourself close to one.

'It was at least a 200-pound bear':Woman in hunting stand has scary encounter with bear

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What to do if you encounter a black bear:

In a building, by a dumpster or around a corner

  • Give the bear a clear escape route. Do not corner it.

  • Leave any doors open as you back away from the bear.

  • Do not lock the bear in a room.

In your backyard

  • From a safe distance, make loud noises, shout or bang pots and pans together to scare away the bear.

  • When the bear leaves, remove potential attractants such as garbage, bird seed or pet food.

  • Ask neighbors to remove attractants.

  • Check your yard for bears before letting out your dog.

In the woods

  • If you see a bear before it notices you: Stand still, don’t approach and enjoy the moment. Then move away quietly in the opposite direction.

  • If you encounter a bear that’s aware of you: Don’t run. Running may trigger a chase response. Back away slowly in the opposite direction and wait for the bear to leave.

What to do if a black bear:

Approaches you

  • Stand your ground.

  • Back away only when the bear stops its approach.

  • Make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump.

  • Yell “Hey bear” loudly.

  • Get your bear spray out of the holster and into your hand. Remove the safety latch.

Follows you

  • Stand your ground.

  • Try to appear large by holding up your arms and jacket, and/or standing on a rock or stump.

  • Back away only when the bear stops its approach.

  • Intimidate the black bear by making yourself look bigger and making noise (wave arms, shout, clap, bang stick).

  • Stay together.

Continues to follow you

  • Stand your ground and stay together.

  • Intimidate the black bear by making yourself look bigger and making noise (wave arms, shout, clap, bang stick).

  • Prepare to fight or use bear spray.

Charges you

  • Stand your ground.

  • Remain calm.

  • If you have bear spray, spray it directly at the bear.

Makes contact with you

  • FIGHT BACK with anything at hand such as a knife, sticks, rocks, binoculars, backpack or by kicking.

  • DO NOT play dead.

For more information on black bears, visit bearwise.org.

Contact Brian Broom at bbroom@gannett.com or 601-961-7225.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: What to do if you see a black bear