Hello, If you SUBSCRIBE to this channel you will get videos that are about Hiking the Appalachian Trail, Tips on Trail Life, Full-time RV Living and camping. I am honored that you are watching my video and look forward to hearing from you and some of your ideas for future content that you would like for me to cover in the videos.

I don't know why I'm watching this and why I'm listening to every word so intensely as I live in London! The only bear I might bump into is Paddington Bear.

If it’s black, fight back If it’s brown, lie down If it’s white, goodnight!

I'm 73 yrs. old now and I've lived my entire life in some of the best bear country here in the mountains of Virginia. Some of my best roaming has been in the Appalachian Trail. Only two times have I heard a bear click its teeth at me; that time was when a cub climbed a tree right in front of me. The sow didn't charge but instead stood up on her two feet, shook her head now and again and as I said clicked her teeth. I talked to her gently and slowly backed away up the road I was on. Eventually I got well out of sight and that was that. Never saw either of them again. I'd say that nine out of every ten bears I've seen have ran from me, but a bunch of them have stopped to take a look at me then depart. I've also talked to a few of them. It seems to relax them.

I grew up in Grand County, in the rocky mountains. My experience with black bears was nothing to worry about. They are generally really peaceful wild animals when it comes to humans. They would come around every night during certain times of the year. At 13-14 years old I was within feet of them on many occasions and they mostly just looked at me like "Hey, I'm just here to raid your trashcan, hope your nights going good." Granted they got a little too comfortable, one even left its cub at my house and went up the street while I was just sitting on the deck with it's cub... I was nervous as to how the mother would react when it got back, but she ended up being just fine with it. Now with that said, I'm not saying go out and make a black bear homie. They are wild animals after all, but if you're alone in the woods or even on a quiet mountain town street, a black bear is so much better to see than a set of glowing mountain lion eyes, or a brown bear. Side note, raccoons will steal your sandwiches.

I was hiking in Tennessee and the mama and her cub were on the trail walking toward me and the cub just ran up to me, sniffed me, and ran back to it's mom after she made some kind of call at her cub. The mom picked her cub up and walked of the trail down into the valley very calmly. Almost as if she was telling her cub "Why the hell would you go up to him!? He could've killed you or something." "But mom...he looked fun..." Meanwhile I'm there like 'O Lord who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thine son is coming home to You today...'

I had a similar encounter with a squirrel once, the trick is to stay calm.

Considering all of my black bear encounters I agree whole heartedly with what you have said. One thing I would add though is to watch out for odd behavior from a mature bear, indecisiveness, appears nervous, doesn't know what to do kind of thing. When I observed this while cycling with a group I got everyone to stop about 100m away, we watched the bear for 30 seconds or so and suddenly a cub popped out from the other side of the road, we all raced back up that hill getting away in pretty much record time! I always talk to the bears when I see them in a very calm voice. We size each other up for a bit and if he / she's off to the side of the trail that I'm on and their just happy picking berries or watchin what the silly human is doing I continue at a normal walking pace along the trail while talking to the bear. Closest that I've been was a bear looking around the front bumper of my truck while I was unloading garbage and refuse at a small cottage area dump. I talked to the bear while I continued doing what I was doing and when I was done unloading I looked at the bear and said, "well big fella, I gotta go, are you going to let me into the truck to leave or what?" I took one or two slow steps towards him and my door, totally in a non-threatening manner and he backed away and headed for the bush.

I love bears they are intelligent, curious and fun to watch

I just pretend I'm bear hunting. I won't see one damn bear.

Note to self , when a bear starts beatboxing , don’t try and rap over it .

Northern Wisconsin here! Our black bears especially this year and over the past two years have become unusually bold and having more trouble with them. The last two nights I'm working in my fifth wheel camper in my woodsy backyard, spent the night in my camper and had a bear approach last two nights however last night was a bit more extreme. In Medford a couple months ago a law enforcement officer and his wife had a bare encounter in the backyard and Mama Bear went right through their window to get at them chewed them up a little bit until he shot the bear in the house. More campers are experiencing bears, black bears, who are unusually bold and they return more aggressive. I've never known black bear to be as bold as they have become recently.

It would also be helpful to explore different bear encounter scenarios such as what to do if the bear doesn't go away or follows you when you start backing away. Also what to do if the bear charges you. If you come across a more curious or aggressive bear, it is important to show strength to the bear. Meaning make yourself look big, make yourself louder, take a couple steps toward the bear while yelling, even look for something like a rock or a stick to throw at the bear. Yes, this is very effective and I've used that method multiple times with bear encounters. Animals sense fear and if you show you're not afraid, they will usually retreat. If you are in a very remote wilderness area and the bear continues to stalk you, it is because you are being hunted and it is intending to eat you. At that point you have to persistently do your best to get out of this dangerous situation and fight back all you can. Don't lay down and play dead. That only works when the bear sees you as a threat. If the bear is following/tracking you, it is likely the bear sees you as food.

Just say "i need you to go" and when it's going say you're sorry and to have a nice day. (Only works on canadian bears)

the best way to survive a bear encounter when hiking is to always take someone with you who does not run as fast as you run.

Love this video. Thank you for posting!!!

Good info , Thx . I like your honesty at the end and throughout . Happy trails, Sir .

I've actually run into a Black Bear and she was chomping on berries. She looked at me and I looked at her. I said " it's cool" and slowly backed away. She was totally fine with it.

DONT TURN YOUR BACK ON A BEAR OR ANY WILD ANIMAL

Thank you so much for this passionate explanation. I love your demeanor brother. I am going solo into the grand mesa national forest for the 3rd time this week. This information is most valuable, and you look damn reliable. Thank you

Thank you for being very honest and informative, I encounter many back bears on some of my work sites and they are still new creatures to me.

The cub grabbing just one more apple before running was absolutely adorable.

This is the way I feel here in Florida when I'm on a hike and see a very large alligator. Stunning animals that will almost always ignore you and/or run away, but every once in awhile you come across an aggressive one in a shitty mood.

Great video and great attitude. I recently moved to an area that has a lot of black bears and I go hiking so I wasn’t sure what to expect what was needed but this video was very helpful. I loved the way you told the story of the baby bear grabbing an apple before skipping away and following mama. Too cute. Thanks so much for the great content William :) 🧸

Thank you for this valuable info. Appreciated.

Just start calmly talking to the bear, tell him something like, “I’m just going to go put some quarters in the meter, I’ll be right back.” They understand this and will wait there for you. I have used this method and it works.

How to tell a black bear from a grizzly. If a bear climbs up a tree after you, it`s a black bear. If the bear pushes over the tree you are in, it`s a grizzly!

This is the BEST VIDEO about black bears and safety that I've seen yet!! So informative!!

Great information. Thanks William

It’s true 99% of black bears will get out of the way of humans. But there can be that one very hungry bear that might be old or not getting enough to eat then he will stock you and eat you. I’ve known of this to happen in Alaska many times. In all the years I lived and roamed around the woods there I only had one encounter with a very aggressive bear. He didn’t live through the experience but if I weren’t armed I suppose I could have become his dinner.

I always wear bells when hiking to keep the bears away. I know if you come across some bear dung and it's smell sweet that is black bear as they like fruits and berries if you come across some with bells in it than that is a Grizz

Thanks for the info...very helpful.

That ! Is one of the most Amazing videos I've ever seen ! My friend, you are one lucky man !! 😁👍

I survived a black bear in the middle of the night while sleeping. Thanks to my deaf dog who leaped and starting scrapping gave enough of a time to get up and charge back at the bear. Eventually the bear charged 3 or 4 and I stood my ground with a ax swinging. Once a bear a decides to attacks its hard to change their mind One of the intense nights out camping for me!!

A long time ago I was walking my dog, and I came face to face with a black bear. He was in some bushes, I stayed calm, pushed the bushes back in place, and slowly backed away. I was about 150 yards from my house. I distracted my dog and slowly headed home. I will never forget that day!

thank you for your wisdom, this video gave me so much perspective.

Wow love this! We in Gatlinburg now. Great info! Definitely following you :)

I always run while screaming like a dying rabbit.

As I’m watching this, my ring floodlight sent me a notification ... black bear in backyard ...

Thank you so much for your support and knowledge 🙏

Great video! I’m in central MN and came across a mama black bear and her two cubs when I was out trail running. I was cruising down a hill, rounding a corner, and BOOM, mama was right there on the trail with her two babies in a tree. My heart stopped for a second, I was so taken aback! Dang near blew my knee out from the screeching halt I came to! I calmly put both hands up, as if I were under arrest, didn’t make eye contact, and slooooowly backed away. It took a lot of willpower to not turn and RUN, but that wouldn’t have done me any favors. My friends always make fun of me for carrying bear spray around here because sightings are very rare in the metro, but this experience justified my purchase 😆 Thankfully I didn’t have to use it, but it gives me peace of mind to be prepared!

I shouted expecto petronum at a bear in NH and he ran the hell away . The next day my then girlfriend proposed to me. We have been married 10 years . True story .

No bugs, no people. I like the way you think.

Nice video. That shot with the cubs running after mama is iconic!

Thank you! Camping for first time in awhile and this helps ease my mind even more. There was a mama black bear and cub spotted recently by a dumpster nearby. I put a lot of thought into food and toiletries storage.

I observed one important thing over and above the great information you gave is the us of situational awareness, constantly checking 360 as you progress down the trail. This posture is what I use no matter where I travel forest or city streets. Thank you!

Seeing a bear of any color doesn’t bother me, it’s a horny Bigfoot that I’m worried about!

❤❤ thanks i needed this information

Such a great and informative video. Thank you for sharing.

I just make sure I take someone with me that I can out run problem solved

Good content, appreciate the honesty of your knowledge with different types of bear. It was surprising to me that data shows that blackbear are actually more predatory than grizzly. Very rare but seems to be true. I personally myself would never hike the AT unarmed. More about the 2 leg predators.

I have extensive backcountry experience. The one thing I like and trust most about the person making this video - he’s humble enough to know what he doesn’t know (i.e. grizzly bears). I’m the same way about the hikes I plan. People without this trait take a lot of unnecessary risks.

Great presentation. Offers a kind of wholesome, nature perspective. Good energy.

Thanks for sharing this info! I’ve been exploring the woods of New Hampshire since I was a kid and have never encountered a bear but I’ve always wondered what to do if I do see one

Me in australia watching this: spiders crocodile sharks snakes and venomous octopus: *am I a joke to you?*

Thanks for the information

I’m doing a solo trip to the Peaks of Otter next week, so this is very helpful to see. Thank you!

"Never sneak up on a bear". I hope I will never have to put this advice to work. LOL

I essentially live in the city so I don't encounter too many bears, I did learn something very important so I subscribed to learn even more. Thanks for your advice 🐻

Really good vid, man. Bears are awesome specimens of nature!

Information appreciated! Nice video

Thanks for the good info. While my hiking the AT days are mostly in the past the Black Bear tips are useful as bears are frequent visitors in my neighborhood here in small town Western N. Carolina. They never seem to bother anyone, but do empty bird feeders and occasionally go through a trash can. Mostly very shy.

"If you see a black bear just throw off your pack, charge it, and punch it in the face. It's just a black bear; you can take it." -Jack Daniel's Moral of the story: Don't drink and hike.

Great vid! Keep them coming you know them black en's. ! I'm. Learning and you be helping very good ! THANX !

Thank you for sharing. The beginning of wisdom is admitting how little you know.

As always, so very honest and informative!

Well I walked out my front door the other day and it was standing 15 ft away. I turned and walk back inside, and he left so we both had so good day here in Appalachia.

I've had the same experiences with bears here in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Had a mama bear approach me while growling and quickly figured out that her babies were about 30 feet from me in a bush. I didn't know they were there until she warned me to get the hell back. I retreated slowly backwards until I couldn't see her anymore and took off on a fast walk the hell out of there.

Really enjoyed that!

Thank you for the advice. I moved to Union County GA 1 1/2 years ago. I love it here. I'm new to bear country so thank you for sharing your wisdom. I look forward to hiking sections of the AT. I typically go hiking once a week on short day trips. I recently hiked a section of the Benton MacKaye Trail in the Cohutta Wilderness Area with a friend. I have yet to see a bear....but I look forward to the experience. Thanks for telling me what to do when it happens.

Thank you. This is the best black bear advice I have seen on UKposts.

Thank you for sharing.

"Wow! Such "Great Info!!😊

Don't take a selfie with a black bear.

Hey Will, How's it going? I just found your channel, the funny thing is I plan to start hiking/camping on a regular basis this year. This is also going to be my 4th year out of my wheelchair w/ absolutely no assistance. I've taken day, overnight, & weekend trips throughout 2019. 2020 is my year for getting out to the White Mountains and the Appalachian Trail (sections at first). I'm so stoked to be able to get out there and experience the true beauty of life, nature it's self. So I'll be binge-watching your vids to catch up, there's a lot of Black Bear's in New England, lol. Anyway, take it easy and thanks.

Good video! Educational! Thanks so much!

The most down to earth and sound advice I've heard on the subject. UKposts needs more people like you and not these idiots who don't know anything that google a top 10 list and gather a few pictures and use some lame editing to make a video. Thank you for the content!

This just came up on my playlist, very good info. I live in a town with a lot of black bears and a lot of hiking trails so you can imagine that sooner or later you will encounter one. Our nearest outdoor supply sells "Bear Bells" , my husband and I each have one because as you say if they hear you they will usually run the other way. But sometimes you get an ornery one or a sow with cubs, then be careful, as we all know, do not get between mother and cubs and if you do by accident, slowly move away from cubs and start praying....loudly! I carry mace but to be honest I am more afraid of some of the freaks roaming the woods than I am animals. I was raised on how to live amongst the animals and respect them and don't be a Joe hero. Common sense will take you far, like a good pair of hiking boots.

I just love these sweeties. I once happened across 2 youngsters in the large garbage containers at a site in the Smoky Mountains where we'd camped one Easter. The folks I was with were from the first college I went to, nice 'suburban to a big city' people who were utterly benighted on the realities of wildlife, whether inculturated to humans or not. The town I'm from is basically in the country, and I've been in touch with "all things natural" since I was 4 years old. I loved and studied everything that lived 'outside!' Well, I never stopped trying to communicate with living creatures irrespective of whether I could see their ears or not. For example, I was hard pressed at 5 to find the ears (tympanus) on frogs, and though it took awhile, I eventually found them on the injured or baby birds I'd find and bring home to raise. (No, I didn't know until I studied Ornithology in University that baby birds out of their nests should be left exactly where they are and that their mothers will feed them from the ground.) Hey, I was 4 and 8 and 11 when I brought those birds home, how was I supposed to know? In any case, I'd raise them by hand, by instinct, and they'd fly away later on. The same with wild baby bunnies. I'd even gather grown animals that I'd pick up for a day and bring home "for Ma to see," and then release an hour or so later. It would be years before I'd realize that I might be causing them stress and that they'd have difficulty with their own loved ones later on: ~TOAD WIFE TO~ ~LATE HUBBY~ "WHERE have you been?" "Oh, you've NO idea what I've just been through, so don't start!" "Don't start? I've had dinner waiting for over an hour?!" "LOOK! It couldn't be helped! Some human picked me up and played with me for an hour while I was on my way, OKAY??!!" "OH!" "Yeah, oh! Now do you understand?!! Where are my nuts? I need a drink!" No, Disney didn't pick up the North American Serial Rights to THAT episode. As for the two small cubs in the garbage containers, one was upended and stuck upside down in one and unable to get out, while the other was nosing around the outside, inspecting the ground and occasionally looking up at its sibling's feet. I in all my benighted wisdom thought well, they're NOT fearsome grizzlies, and I don't see momma bear anywhere, (dumb, really stoooopid!! THINK, you ignorant lugnut!!!) so I'll just sidle over nonchalantly making as little noise as possible so as not to startle them, and help the one that's stuck out of the can, right? I got this. So I get within armslength of this delightful teddy and guesssssss what? You Betch'em, Red Rider! Momma. Stood. Up. She not only heard me, she s m e l l e d my advent before I got there. How 'bout that, fool! Me: "Oh. I didn't see you there. I was just gonna hel---buuuut I'm just wishfully thinking, like when they say don't try this at home...NOT a good idea." Momma then dropped down to all fours, came out around the cans and blithely started to amble toward me, in no rush to accomplish her objective: ME-> GONE. I now realized my best advantage would be to confuse the mommy as best I could until she gave up. So, I did to her what I always did to squirrels to paralyze them and compel them to take heed of me and that I'm trying to get a message across. Squirrels, however, have a different sense of self than black bears. Oh, don't get me wrong, black bears appreciate the conversation, they just respond a little differently, a little slower than squirrels. I started to chatter at her, incessantly! Everything that one would ordinarily exchange or admire in his or her friends and colleagues came out of me in a swift, one sided parlance. "That's okay Mom I understand. Is your den far from here? Is this your first litter? You look kinda thin, Mommy, are you getting everything you need ? Huh? Well the reason I ask is cuz I could always go back to camp and put a couple sandwiches together for ya and maybe snag some fruit. Would that help? I suppose you're gonna wanna get some rest then. No by all means don't let me stop you, you go right ahead. Mind if I watch? Say how many siblings do YOU have? I have two brothers that are both older than me. What's your favorite color? Mine'9s purple. Do you like purple? You all get around on foot for the most part, or do you havva car for errands? I don't have one either. And I'm not in the market for one anyways. Speaking of markets, what's your favorite thing to munch on, just you and the kids on a Saturday night at home? Berries? Oh, I love raspberries! Do you havva a permanent partner who's your guiding light in this world or are you pretty much on your own? Oh that's a pity, but you're the stronger for it. Take it from someone who's been there. Tell me which trees are your particular trees. Are they Pine trees or Balsams or don't you have a given preference....." I kept this b.s. up for some 7 to 10 solid minutes while she slowly backed me outta the site, then she stopped and just stood there, as if to say, 'Its all right now, you can leave. But if you want to see us again come back anytime. We shouldn't be far away. And next time don't be afraid to sing out. 🐻 💖 🐦 I turned away and comfortably started back through the woods toward camp when an idea struck me. Now, ya gotta understand something. I'm a little pixillated. Folks used to call people like me "Touched." That's probably why I've never been afraid of anything in the wild, I have a far greater respect for them now at age 66 than I did when I was little, or when I tried that dumb stunt with the bears when I was 18, but I still love pranks when it comes to my fellow hominids. So, ya gotta remember back then, in 1973, compact cars were just that, small. Soooo,--I took off at a dead run and came barreling into camp, waving wildly and screaming, "There's a bear after me!!! It's HUGE and it's coming this way! Everybody scramble! Get ta safety now!" Have you ever seen 11 people crammed into an original model Toyota? It's impressive. 🤣

Thank you- excellent advice based on your experience. I’ve come across black bears in the Rocky Mountains and they never bother me, but I had followed everything you suggested here - plus I learned some other tips as well from your video.

Was playing golf in Lake Tahoe last year and about to hit my second shot off the fairway when a brown mother bear and her two cubs just walked out in front and sat by the ball lol. They couldn't have cared less that I was there, but I stayed well enough away in the trees until they moved on. Was so awesome seeing them roll around and play on the fairway.

What to do when you encounter a black bear? Me: run to a water hole to clean shit from pants.

Great detailed explanations and pointers. I’d like to do some hiking one day on the AT/PCT and bears everywhere 😬

Good video mate!

Love your videos - We are hiking Pikes Peak next month and they said that there were a couple of sightings of black bears near the A-frame which made me nervous, so loved your insight :)

If i encounter a black bear, i don't make any racist comments to piss him off.

Thanks. Great video. My neighbor just had a black bear go through her yard last week. I feel more prepared now. Plus, my wife and I enjoy hiking.

thank willian fantastic job

Fascinating stuff, thanks for sharing your wisdom. We dont get many bears here jn the UK, but I'll store this knowledge away ;-)

Living at the foot of the Appalachian Trail I see them a lot. It’s wise to always keep your distance but usually they leave you alone. A loud noise or series of them usually spooks them. Black bears seem to be pretty twitchy. Grizzlies on the other hand I categorize under the “well, might be screwed here” category. We keep moving into their habitats and forcing them down to the base of mountains or even cities. Very, very good video.

who only eats half of the snickers

I am in the mountains in Colorado living in my truck camper this video will be of great help

Cool video, thanks man

Thank you! I live in Southeastern PA and never had to think about black bears until now, as there have been recent sitings. So grateful for your experience and advice. I love my nature walks and hikes and need to know what to do if I come across one of these beautiful creatures.

In the woods I carry a 10mm with hard cast lead bullets. Black bears are doing videos on what to do if they encounter me.

Good video really like the information thanks again❤

Great video, thank you for sharing! You have a new subscriber 🥰

I was out deer hunting, my wife and children stayed in camp. That afternoon a black bear, bout 350 pounds, came into camp. I fired a shot into the air and it ran off. It hid behind a tree, 10" diameter and peeked around one side and then the other. It figured there was no reason to be scared and started walking toward us. My wife and children were behind me. I fired another shot and it stood on its rear legs and held its forelegs up a bit. It then got back on all four legs and was coming toward us again. I shot a tree when it went by and splattered the bear's face with bark. It turned and ran uphill with great speed. It came back that night and looked inside our SUV's rear window, it seemed safer than sleeping in our tent. I aimed the rifle at its head, had my children cover their ears and open their mouths. My wife crawled forward and started the engine, the bear went away. People that believe bears are friendly are fools. They are wild and hungry and love to eat easy food. If they become acclimated to being fed by people their natural fear goes away.

Great informative video--thank you. I was sitting on the ground weeding by the garage, and a black bear came around the garage corner. We were about 10 feet apart. I was transfixed for a few seconds, then stood up slowly and backed away. He calmly and silently turned away and walked across the field next to the garage. It was thrilling and scary. Another time, I came home at dusk, parked my car and was walking toward my apartment on a stone path a little away from the apartments. I saw a large bear sitting at the edge of the woods, about 50 feet away. Then I noticed there were two cubs. As I backed slowly away from them, the momma bear gave a command and the cubs scurried up trees. That was amazing and so cool to see. I walked to my apartment as far away from them as I could. Thrilling.

Thank you so much, very nice video. We are new to Applachian. Saw a bear in our backyard. This video is very helpful