Originally Posted by
balto charlie
Growing up in Utah in the 60's and Maryland in the 70's I have many run-ins with bears. The encounters were often in Wyoming, Montana and Virginia (Shenandoah) None ever felt threatening, I would always walked away when cubs were present for both grizzlies and black. Amazing how strong and FAST these creatures are.
My most recent close encounter was in Colorado (2019). I was sleeping in a bivy with no tent near Ouray. I woke up smelling bad breath and saw 2 cubs sniffing me!!!! Freaked me out as I knew their mother was nearby. Difficult to get out of the bivy and bag quickly, I stood up in the bivy waving my hands trying to make myself look bigger. They strolled away slowly. Mother did not appear thankfully.
I've never had that close of an encounter, but any time there are cubs close by I tend to worry about where mama might be. Otherwise, while I give black bears a wide berth and practice good bear camp practices, I never really worry about them or feel especially threatened by their presence and enjoy seeing them.