# 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:** 16\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/101 "2025-06-06T12:30:29Z")
In all our travels in Alaska, the only encounter with a bear was at Katmai National Park. It’s actually more unusual NOT to have an encounter with a bear at Katmai, as the place is grizzly heaven. Luckily, they’re totally uninterested in humans and are there for the salmon. Still, seeing a 500 pound carnivore coming towards you on the trail is pretty disconcerting. The Ranger was very calm of course and merely said “Okay, everybody step off the trail and stay still.” We also saw polar bears on Barter Island. But people go to both of those places _because_ there are bears. ---
**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 6, 2025, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/102 "2025-06-06T19:33:35Z")
I needed to look up where Timothy Treadwell was when he died. Yes, Katmai National Park. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/103 "2025-06-06T21:03:09Z")
It’s what happens when you anthropomorphize wild animals and think they’re your friends. They may become habituated to your presence, but in the end they’re predators. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/104 "2025-06-06T21:22:14Z")
And you strongly resemble lunch. ---
**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 6, 2025, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/105 "2025-06-06T22:01:29Z")
One thing that is majorly F’d up is that he brought his girlfriend, to her death. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2025, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/106 "2025-06-07T02:00:50Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > but in the end they’re predators Not really, though. Bears are omnivores who eat meat when it is convenient, but not predators in the same way as wolves or mountain lions. If you encounter a bear in the bear’s habitat, it is almost always an accident, but if you encounter a mountain lion, it is the exact opposite of an accident. The big white ones really are predators, though their cuisine normally does not include most land animals except when it is convenient or they are famished. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2025, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/107 "2025-06-07T11:49:37Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Not really, though. Bears are omnivores who eat meat when it is convenient, but not predators in the same way as wolves or mountain lions. You’re absolutely right. I misspoke. Most bears dine on berries and grubs, and fish if they can catch them. The one that killed Treadwell and his girlfriend was a sick bear that was malnourished and looking for an easy meal. When the rescue plane arrived, the bear came at them as well and was killed. As you mentioned, polar bears are a different story. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2025, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/108 "2025-06-09T14:12:40Z")
> **[Painesville City Fire Department](https://www.facebook.com/share/16DDhsb1AT/)** > > Yes, we have black bears in our area and occasionally they wonder into populated areas. Good rule of thumb... don't bother them and they won't bother you! Here are some more tips: > > ✔️ Respect a... ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/109 "2025-06-09T17:13:27Z")
[![](https://thefarside.net/assets/2021/07/11/thefarside.net-gary-larson-the-far-side-gallery-vol-1-092.jpeg) ](https://thefarside.net/assets/2021/07/11/thefarside.net-gary-larson-the-far-side-gallery-vol-1-092.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/110 "2025-06-09T22:22:49Z")
Those bears are toast. You ever see the size and weight of handbags these gals are armed with? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2025, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/111 "2025-06-09T22:35:30Z")
El Kabong! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/112 "2026-05-18T21:46:16Z")
Bumped. Let’s be careful out there! > **[U.S. National Parks Just Issued a Warning After Recent Tragedies—What...](https://www.aol.com/articles/u-national-parks-just-issued-155738817.html)** > > Recent incidents have prompted renewed safety guidance for hikers and campers. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2026, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/113 "2026-05-19T01:50:38Z")
IOW citified humans, of which I am one, get dumber every year. Meanwhile bears get smarter. The crossover point is coming and boy are we gonna be screwed. 😉 ---
**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:** [May 19, 2026, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/114 "2026-05-19T04:50:30Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Bumped. > > Let’s be careful out there! From the article: [![](https://i.imgur.com/FtMFvaB.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/FtMFvaB.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2026, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/115 "2026-05-20T02:50:26Z")
There was a great PS image of a Bison festooned in a white shirt and black tie, “The Park Service is now dressing up its buffalos as mormon missionaries to discourage visitors from approaching them”. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176/116 "2026-05-21T07:50:19Z")
Deleted the Instagram of the photo [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-charged-at-by-a-black-bear/1019176.md?page=5)