Black Bears in CT. Are they a real danger in Conneticuts hiking trails?
Author: admin | Category: HikingWile hiking in the wood, or on trails in CT. Is it a realistic threat that you might run in to a Bear. If so is it a real danger?
Short answer: Bears are not a real danger in Connecticut.
It is possible to run into a Black Bear in Connecticut. There are more than 1,500 bear sightings a year in the state. However, the danger of getting hurt by a bear on a trail in Connecticut is less than getting hit by lightening and far less than getting into a traffic accident on the way to the trail.
Black bears do attack and since 1900 there have been 52 people killed by Black Bears. None of these deaths occured in New England.
Still, if you see a bear be careful. Back away slowly and by all means do not approach a cub or come between a cub and its mother. There was a news story a few years back where a woman was killed by a bear. An examination of her video camera showed she was taking a close up shot of a bear cub when she was attacked. If you are backpacking, hang your food or keep it in a bear safe container away from your tent. Do not keep any food in your tent, or have anything that smells like food in your tent.
In well over 1,000 miles of hiking in the Northeast, I’ve seen one bear while I was on the trail. It was running away from me.
March 9th, 2010 at 1:33 am
It actually depends on where you are and the season. Bears are in hybernation now so it’s not going to be an issue till Spring, when they wake up and start feeding. Most Bears are not aggressive, but if you are inexperienced, I would suggest you go hiking with a group..(Safety in numbers…) I crossed paths with some years back hiking the AP in that area, they were more afraid of me than I was of them.There is always Bear Pepper Spray if that would make you feel safer.Good Luck…
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Outdoorsman/Hunter/Camper
March 9th, 2010 at 2:17 am
Black bears arent to dangerous unless you mess with there young.
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March 9th, 2010 at 2:47 am
Bears require a middle ground attitude. You don’t necessarily have to be in constant fear of them when hiking, but they deserve a healthy respect. Be aware of your surroundings, be sure to make noise if coming around curves, because bears can be especially dangerous if surprised at close range. Bears, especially black bears are very shy creatures that will run 90-some percent of the time if they see you or hear you coming. Most often, they will be gone from the area even before you know theyre there.
If by slight chance, you did encounter one, you have to try and intimidate the bear. Stand your ground, DO NOT RUN!, try to appear larger than you or your group is. Throw stones at the bear if needed and speak in a firm voice. The bear will most likely retreat. If it charges, its most likely a bluff, and will leave after one or 2.
If the bear makes contact with you, you must fight it off using any means necessary. Do not play dead with a black bear. That only works for grizzlies. Bear spray probably isnt really a necessity for you unless you are in a very bear-intensive area or are in grizzly country. If anything, maybe just carry a stick. Black bears very seldom attack and these attacks are mostly limited to young children and can be intimidated quickly by an adult.
Overall, just have fun hiking, but be aware of your surroundings and watch for bear sign that might signal a bear has been in that area recently. There really arent many bears in Connecticut.
Allen – Black bear mothers do not aggressively defend their young. This is a grizzly trait.
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March 9th, 2010 at 3:05 am
Short answer: Bears are not a real danger in Connecticut.
It is possible to run into a Black Bear in Connecticut. There are more than 1,500 bear sightings a year in the state. However, the danger of getting hurt by a bear on a trail in Connecticut is less than getting hit by lightening and far less than getting into a traffic accident on the way to the trail.
Black bears do attack and since 1900 there have been 52 people killed by Black Bears. None of these deaths occured in New England.
Still, if you see a bear be careful. Back away slowly and by all means do not approach a cub or come between a cub and its mother. There was a news story a few years back where a woman was killed by a bear. An examination of her video camera showed she was taking a close up shot of a bear cub when she was attacked. If you are backpacking, hang your food or keep it in a bear safe container away from your tent. Do not keep any food in your tent, or have anything that smells like food in your tent.
In well over 1,000 miles of hiking in the Northeast, I’ve seen one bear while I was on the trail. It was running away from me.
References :
http://hartford.about.com/od/househome/a/aabearsinct.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America_by_decade
1,000 + miles hiking in the Northeastern US