# Got charged at by a black bear **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 3, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176 "2025-06-03T22:51:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/21 "2025-06-04T02:49:32Z")
My mother has a story of when my parents were still fairly newly married and she was still in the Army Reserve as a nurse. So they went to the PX and picked up various things to eat while going camping in the Smokies, taking my father’s first generation Camaro. Well, a black bear decided to come into their camp, which wound up with them evacuating to the Camaro. (My mother’s statement: “Do you know how small the back of a Camaro is?” No, Mom, and I didn’t really need to know.) Anyway, said bear got into their food, and Mom swears it only got into the canned peaches, leaving everything else alone. In other bear stories somewhat related to me, when I was a kid there was a black bear that came out of the Sandias into a parking lot, climbed a utility pole, and electrocuted itself. You sometimes still see the video on various shows, like this episode from something on Animal Planet. [https://youtu.be/wtqK2\_almJY?si=8ncJm6lMPO1b1pm5](https://youtu.be/wtqK2_almJY?si=8ncJm6lMPO1b1pm5) ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/22 "2025-06-04T02:55:09Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > He was a big, lovely bear with a glossy black coat. A bear is one of those animals I have yet to see in the wild despite my best efforts. Every time we’re in bear country I tell my wife I plan on wrestling one. Of course I want to spot the bear from a healthy distance and would prefer it did not rapidly move in my general direction. I’m glad you’re okay, but you have a cool story you can tell for the rest of your life. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/23 "2025-06-04T03:35:54Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I’m going to be in NW Montana in a few months. Care to give a brief briefing on how to quickly distinguish between the two? Stranger mostly covered it, but an important distinction is that black bears can usually be deterred with pepper spray, or by wearing small bells to alert them to your presence. Brown and grizzly bears are best avoided at all costs. It’s best to keep an eye out for their scat so you know they’re in the area and can take evasive action. Their scat can be identified by the fact that it smells like pepper and has small bells in it. Old camping joke 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/24 "2025-06-04T04:19:38Z")
Sheesh! My wife and I are glad you’re okay. Do you carry bear spray? I was just watching a YouTube video about how that is usually most effective. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/25 "2025-06-04T06:08:14Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Stranger mostly covered it, but an important distinction is that black bears can usually be deterred with pepper spray, or by wearing small bells to alert them to your presence. This reminds me of another distinguishing feature — their feces, or scat. Black bear scat usually smells fairly fresh and has berry seeds in it. Grizzly bear scat smells like pepper spray and has small bells in it. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/26 "2025-06-04T07:46:40Z")
You know how people say Australia is full of wild dangerous animals? We don’t have black bears. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/27 "2025-06-04T08:47:50Z")
“Dangerous Mammals of Australia” is a pretty short book. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/28 "2025-06-04T08:51:13Z")
Don’t go boxing with a kangaroo. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/29 "2025-06-04T09:26:20Z")
My bear story: I was scrolling through MPSIMS when I saw that the “Got charged at by a black bear” thread was directly followed by the “Toss it on the grill in the MMP” thread. I’m not sure that bear is even in season. If it’s not, a Game Warden might possibly object to that. Also, what would you use to cut up such a huge monstrosity into steaks while in the wild? A chainsaw? ( And how would you get all of that red and pink goo out of the chain afterwards? I’m guessing you’d have to get a new chain and throw the old one out.) Besides, is bear meat even good to eat? It might have eaten an animal (or a human) who was simply riddled with disease or parasites. “I don’t have any parasites…” \< Thorin kicks Bombor \> “Yes, I have parasites! I’m riddled with parasites…!” ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/30 "2025-06-04T10:48:18Z")
I’ve been living in bear country for 33 years. They’ve ripped the door off to my shed twice (I keep trash in there before taking it to the dump). It seems to help to crush moth balls around the shed door. Helps cover up the smell and dissuades them in general (nothing wants a snoot full of that crushed powder). They break into our cars. My wife will eat a Wendy’s or something in her car, I rarely do. Still, they smell something. I have scratches from them around the left rear door handle. The recommendation is to not lock your car, or they will just rip the door handle off. I believe it, they’ve ripped the door to my shed off. Anyway, the only damage (besides some paint scratches) has been my wifes center console, they broke the latch, so no big deal. And, of course muddy foot prints. To the OP, that’s a scary experience. Even if they don’t often attack, you have to wonder if you will be the one. I’m VERY cautions when I approach on of our cars that has a door/s open. Can’t see in the cars in the early morning, so I fire a round into the ground and watch the car closely for any movement. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/31 "2025-06-04T10:53:39Z")
> [@Toxylon](#): > > “Dangerous Mammals of Australia” is a pretty short book. [Do not underestimate the platypus.](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platypus_venom) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/32 "2025-06-04T11:04:55Z")
We have a lot of black bears around our cabin in Virginia. In general, they are very shy and not aggressive, but there have been incidents. Mostly, when the bear feels trapped. There was a woman in Maryland who went out to see what here neighbor’s dogs were barking at and it turned out they had cornered a black bear and cub and the bear attacked her. I was fly fishing one time when a black bear came down the bank and started to cross the stream about 10 feet from me. I said “hey bear” and he stood up to smell the air (I’ve heard they have bad eyesight but a great sense of smell) and then took off running back up the bank. It was amazing to be that close to such a large wild animal, literally awe inspiring. I have a friend who was fly fishing in Montana and accidentally came across a grizzly eating an elk and had to quietly crawl away. He said he heard this scratching noise and went to investigate, and the noise was the bear’s teeth on the elk’s bone, he said he genuinely almost crapped himself. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/33 "2025-06-04T11:12:33Z")
I have had bear. One day in the break room (at a former work place) there was a sign that said “help yourself to some bear”. It was in sausage form so I don’t know how much of the flavor was bear and how much was seasoning. It was fine. Brian I saw a grizzly bear while bicycling in Glacier NP. Thankfully far away. Interesting the time I saw a black bear it was also when I was biking - it crossed the road ~50 yards ahead of me. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/34 "2025-06-04T11:36:04Z")
Stranger explained the difference fairly well. Their “faces” are also different, with black bears having a longer nose and more “dog-like” face while a grizzly has a flatter or dish-shaped face. Don’t rely on color since it can vary significantly from one bear to another, even in the same species. Are you going to GNP or somewhere more remote? Bear spray is a must, you can buy at it most stores in the area, but be careful. If it goes off in your car you may end up at the hospital. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/35 "2025-06-04T11:39:52Z")
> [@Toxylon](#): > > “Dangerous Mammals of Australia” is a pretty short book. “Non-Dangerous Mammals of Australia” is a couple of lines on a sheet of paper. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/36 "2025-06-04T11:49:49Z")
Also, most black bear charges are bluff charges, with no intent to attack. People don’t recognize them very well, and it’s probably contributed to a few unnecessary black bear shootings. They mostly run away. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/37 "2025-06-04T12:01:19Z")
I’m confused-- were you fixing my joke by telling it better, or did you not read the paragraph of mine immediately following the one you quoted? 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/38 "2025-06-04T12:04:27Z")
I wrote that this morning before I had my coffee. I plead sleepiness and abject stupidity. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/39 "2025-06-04T12:06:59Z")
Ah, I see. Well, it’s a good enough joke to tell it twice 😉 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/40 "2025-06-04T12:09:05Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Are you going to GNP or somewhere more remote? Bear spray is a must, you can buy at it most stores in the area, but be careful. If it goes off in your car you may end up at the hospital. And you’ll have trouble selling the car. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176.md?page=3)