Bear Safety Part 1: Bear Behavior & Why Bears Attack

[@b.w.5828]

Excellent video! I've worked extensively with captive black and brown bears and been around them in the wild too, so I'm always a little skeptical about videos like these. So many people over simplify bears and their behavior (they'd either have you believe they're harmless teddy bears, or bloody-thirsty killers with no in-between). If there's one thing I've learned about bears, it's that they are incredibly intelligent and, because of that, no two are quite alike. I feel like you did a wonderful job covering the scope of possible encounters, acknowledging them as powerful and potentially dangerous animals without exaggerating the threat, and giving solid advice on how to react based on the situation. The video examples and your break down really tied it all together. Thank you for the breath of fresh air. Everything you said was spot on.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much B.W.!

[@gilbertpinfold]

I have done much reading on this topic, and it is scary. Bears learn quickly, are intelligent, will pair humans with food, so they can become more aggressive over time when fed by humans or obtaining food from dumps, neglected orchards by human settlements, etc. Like a human criminal who progresses up the offending scale, a bear can escalate from dump scavenging to back pack mugging and campsite raiding to eventual predatory kills of humans. One interesting fact is that when hiking into the wind, human scent and sound will be carried away from bear in an upwind area, and bears don't appreciate being surprised, especially when feeding on a carcass or with cubs especially grizzly/brown bears. The bow hunter is much too close as a football field (at least) is recommended as a safe distance. Bear spray is more of a clear deterrant for grizzly rather than black bears, from statistics that I have read. Herrero's books are excellent, but this is an essential topic and at least 3 different source books should be read. Thanks for the info and video clips.

[@josephcameron911]

Just out of curiosity, how does one get into a job like this? Working with wildlife like this? As an animal and wilderness enthusiast, I'm kind of looking to switch careers. Any info would be really helpful!

[@KevinOutdoors]

@@josephcameron911 Hi Dirty Dingo, my background is in Forestry. I don't work directly with bears but lots of folks I work with do. Forestry or Wildlife Biology would be the subjects to get into if you are into this kind of thing, and try and get as much field experience as possible early in your career. All the best!

[@alantaylor6691]

Great responses B.W.

[@psefti]

3 weeks into covid 19 isolation, 100's of miles from bears, what am I doing here?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Having fun I hope! Thanks for watching!

[@psefti]

Really enjoyed your very informative video, very useful for future visits to bear country.

[@romeowhiskey2759]

I have zero chance of running into one but still find this fascinating to watch and learn.

[@psefti]

Romeo Whiskey: We may never know, with all our deserted streets, they may move into town any day now lol 😂 is there Juliet whisky too?

[@romeowhiskey2759]

@@psefti not in this town, I'm in England haha, but I agree with your point. I don't think it will take long to realize people aren't about. There's is a Julie, close enough lol

[@whtbobwntsbobget]

When you said brown bears are brown and black bears are black ... that's when I hit the like button

[@KevinOutdoors]

Well, somebody had to explain that! :)

[@you2231]

LOL.

[@mcrasus]

What about white bears?

[@you2231]

@@mcrasus those are POLAR bears

[@bradh74]

@@mcrasus Caucasian Bears is more politically correct or at least polite.

[@pillowjones]

I learned from another video that all I have to say is, “eyeyeyeyeyeyey” and I’ll be just fine.

[@jonathanbigg7]

Hahah thankyou youtube algorithm "The other bears dared him to do it" 😂

[@is300_Paul]

The algorithm really send up down the same rabbit holes

[@misaafton]

Pillermen awaken

[@bijntjeveenstra2455]

PERKELE!!

[@bewaktembaga498]

twist plot: this guy is A&W BEAR MASCOT'S

[@Howitchewstofeel5gum]

Me, living in Germany with a 0.1% chance of ever encountering a wild bear: Better watch this video, just to be on the safe side.

[@KevinOutdoors]

LOL, yeah you should be fine, but thanks for watching!

[@snoim]

Same here. Also, I'm now afraid of being attacked by a bear.

[@Chimes50]

@@snoim I can use the excuse that we have recently had black bears sighted in my area, They are coming out of the woods in suburban St. Louis, MO.

[@Howitchewstofeel5gum]

@Jeanette89 Yeah, but I can travel to other countries, hence 0.1% ;)

[@Lilliz91]

Because y’all killed all your bears and wolves…

[@SugaryPhoenixxx]

"Hope you enjoyed my yard" Typical Canadian.

[@count7340]

"I'm welcoming to brown and black bears." Justin Trudeau.

[@sobrcelt]

Right? That made me laugh.

[@whitealliance9540]

@Dr. M. H. Dont bother the blackman!

[@whitealliance9540]

@Dr. M. H. "Dont bother the black bears"

[@dianitestar1234]

lol a waste of time aka the yard

[@jerseygirl3428]

"It's black, fight back; if it's brown, lie down; if it's white, good night."

[@Random_Dragon_Furry]

I like your comment. Also, it's been shown that flare guns are actually the most effective way to scare off a polar bear if you shoot at the polar bear with a flare gun it's probably gonna run I mean, anyone would run if a burning ball of fire was launched at them

[@banter2143]

@@Random_Dragon_Furry most things run away from fire so that sounds reasonable

[@Demidar665]

doesnt matter, its all the matter of the bear that you're facing

[@Itsachapel]

Jersey Girl Try fighting back against a black bear and tell me how that works out for you LOL

[@Park_Place]

@@Itsachapel Not actually fistfight with a black bear. Unlike grizzlies, black bears don't want to start a fight, which is why the saying goes "they're more afraid of you than you are of them." Just yell or make some noise, maybe throw a pebble or two, and they'll back off.

[@diogenesofsinope6502]

The skinnier the bear the more danger you’re in. From personal experience

[@blackdogleg]

all this fool had to say.

[@potatolord2354]

Nigga, wat u doing here?

[@hugohepworth5633]

Thanks Diogenes of Sinope

[@emiliomarbanjr]

God damn, sounds like you've survived from anorexic to overweight bear attacks.

[@greymouser8659]

You met the missus then.

[@harrymarsee1872]

Refreshing to see a KZbinr get to the point quickly.

[@LeatherCladVegan]

That second clip was brutal. Glad he's OK. Thank you for clarifying it.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yeah he certainly is lucky!

[@JDC2389]

@@sushimidnight9539 the bear probably smelled the shit and piss and jogged on

[@theorenmaybee7927]

The guy is native American and is up in the north, it only jumped on him and ran off a few second in the video, he didnt have any injury just a little scare lol, if he tried to fight it off it probably wouldve fought him to have a good fun.. black bears arent too dangerous

[@LeatherCladVegan]

@@theorenmaybee7927 I just don't like the way you're thinking, and it bothers me enough that I'll say something about it... "Black bears aren't that dangerous" - what is that supposed to mean? Is a dangerous black bear not dangerous? If you're trapped in a room with a dangerous black bear, are you safe? When does it become dangerous? This is similar thinking to "don't worry about sharks, you're more likely to get hit by lightning", in the sense that it is only true as long as it is true. E.g. if you go in the water, it's no longer true. So, your statement "black bears aren't that dangerous" is true enough for me, as I live in Australia. It's less true for an American, and far, far less true for an American who is being attacked by a black bear. Any bear can be dangerous. It is my understanding that black bear attacks are less likely to happen, but more likely to be predatory - thus fatal - when they do happen, as opposed to brown bear attacks. But I would also note that we are talking about this on a video by an expert and we should probably be quiet now... (but any bear can be dangerous!)

[@theorenmaybee7927]

@@LeatherCladVegan well you see the problem is I forgot to mention that we are Canadian, us native american tend to hunt the bears and eat them. Northern Canada black bears tend to be just as scared of us as we are scared of it, as long as you know your situation and not run into a mother bear or hungry bear. But you are right to take the question seriously cause any type of bear is dangerous in a way, I just personally believe it's how you handle the situation you're in, being native american we are more relaxed, we have experiences with black bears all the time and try not to pose a threat to a bear. if anything we see bears get scared off by dogs often. If you were our neighbor we would just tell the bear to leave you alone and it would pretty much just walk into the bushes.

[@Marti-tn3mn]

“Usually just talking to them is all it takes to make them to move on”. Just like what happens with girls

[@KevinOutdoors]

Hummmm, I guess so.

[@D13fs]

BEWARE: Girls are responsible for far more deadly attacks on other humans than bears.

[@D13fs]

@@RaindropsOnLichen No, I won't look it up. The original comment was about girls so my comment only mentioned girls and not men, women or boys, lol.

[@janedoex1398]

Hey but I never mauled anyone !,....wait....No. no I didn't. The asshat that tried to smash .y head in deserved it.

[@paulhollingworth7752]

Hahahahaha thanks for the Gutt Burst hahahaha

[@sammionne239]

I live in Hong Kong, one of the most urban cities in the world. And yet I find this such vital knowledge....

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@concept5631]

Hope you're -going- doing alright given what China's been doing to Hong Kong recently.

[@sammionne239]

@@concept5631 thanks for asking. The news can portray different images of how places are like. Yes there are some challenges we are facing but for me personally I love living in the city. Great free healthcare, beautiful landscape, and at all hours of the day/night it is extremely safe. You might ask somebody different and they'd say something else.

[@concept5631]

@@sammionne239 Fair enough. I wish you the best.

[@sammionne239]

@@concept5631 thank you. You too!

[@alangeorgebarstow]

Human: "I don't wanna use my bear spray. Keep going, keep going..." Bear: "I don't wanna use my human spray. Keep going, keep going..."

[@toter-drache]

The "Human Spray" bears carry is homemade , It's a digested human extract

[@Kiwi-hv8fg]

@Goedde wtf

[@UndertakerU2ber]

@Alan George Barstow Lmao 😂

[@UndertakerU2ber]

@Goedde I just wish this bear could sit on my face 😉

[@Kitiwake]

Does bear spray work?

[@ranelgallardo7031]

Bear cub: Look mom, a human! Momma bear: Don’t go near them, they got diseases.

[@KevinOutdoors]

LOL, yep.

[@tavadaardendrian319]

Nice layered joke, bro

[@rocioaguilera3613]

And they, humans, are the worst predators on planet earth

[@milagiganticurchod6138]

humas too LOL

[@ITILII]

Leave them alone, they're way too busy killing each other

[@mayanightstar]

Lol I rarely even leave my apartment, not sure why I watched this, but I learned a lot!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Well, if you ever do venture into bear country you have some background! Happy Trails!

[@craigmertz5688]

Lol....now that's just funny!!

[@budsbunny8038]

I live across multiple seas from the nearest bear and loved the video

[@user-zq6yz5gf6d]

@Ben van der Riet the clanging sound may be able to scare it off as it may sound like a gunshot but i would not reccomend doing this as it may startle it and lead it to attack.

[@aaronm8143]

EnchantedPencil Comics lol same. It’s all good to know though, never know what situations life can throw at us.

[@richardwildeman1267]

This is by far the best video on the subject on the internet! Your channel in general is the best for backcountry camping knowledge, hands down! Thank you so much for all your hard work.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for the endorsement! Much appreciated!

[@wenmcbrainvansandt3030]

He's gonna get eaten pretty soon and if you wonder out there, I'm sure you aren't going to be so lucky either. These bears are just waiting for their next kill.

[@richardwildeman1267]

@@wenmcbrainvansandt3030 You clearly get all your "knowledge" from Hollywood movies.

[@wenmcbrainvansandt3030]

@@richardwildeman1267 and you obviously have no respect for anything of their kind going out there invading their territory just like any other stupid white man. Wake up this isn't Hollywood it's reality

[@sirspookybones1118]

wild bears dont exist in the UK but I'm still more likely to get killed by a bear than find love

[@DataLog]

love doesn't exist

[@sirspookybones1118]

@Golden Runway idk the bears are homing in already, dont think I've got much time left

[@DataLog]

@Golden Runway I don't like dates. They look like cockroaches...

[@buckbumble]

Go to Soho dude.

[@sirspookybones1118]

@vipkoli it's a bit of a meme but I know what you mean

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

I got off a hiking trail in Yosemite to go… “Relieve myself against a rock”. Suddenly, it got very quiet. Birds stopped singing and I got the sensation I wasn’t alone. After I zipped up, I couldn’t help but feeling something was out there so I peered around a big tree and sure enough about 25 yards away, there was a very big brown bear grazing on the floor which looked up at me. I calmly began picking at a branch as though I was simply foraging and posed no threat. I then slowly turned my back to it and continued picking at branches until I slowly made my way out of there. Yeah… My heart was going through my chest. SLOWLY - it’s a thing.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Great story, glad you are alive to tell the tale!

[@valeriebehrendt9380]

I didn’t know we had brown bears this far south. Scary.

[@alainlefebvre9860]

Last thing I'd do is turn my back on them, but what do I know. Had a few bear experiences over the years and I'm shocked every time I get through one with clean pants!

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

Alain Lefebvre - Honestly I wasn’t sure what to do. But after we initially made eye contact and I started picking at the bushes, I could see from the corner of my eye the bear relaxed a little and went back to grazing. That’s when I figured it was OK to turn my back assuming… It was less of an aggressive posture on my part. I also figured I could definitely hear it coming towards me. And in that respect, I was facing the opposite way... ready to get out of there. Naturally, the odds are very rare that you can outrun one of them. But in my situation I was willing to try. And like so many have told me, I was ready to drop and play dead if it got close. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@alainlefebvre9860]

@@Tyrell_Corp2019 yeah, people are always ready to throw in their five cents, like I did, but every situation, every bear is different. Like Kevin told be about my latest encounter, you survived, so you must have handled it right. Quite the rush, and not an experience you'll ever forget! My first close call was about 40 years ago and I remember every detail like it was yesterday. I think the most important thing is to stay cool and use your greatest weapon, your brain. Stay safe and good luck!

[@smfranklin007]

Outstanding vid! Very informative and non-sensationalist. I feel like I learned a great deal about bears from the way you explained the various aspects of both black and brown bears. I would recommend that anyone that is not a seasoned outdoorsman watch this before heading into the back country for ANY reason. Again, very well done. Extremely well narrated. You are a pro, my friend!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Stephen! Much appreciated!

[@franknada8235]

@@KevinOutdoors Thank you for your informational video. I have an additional question concerning grizzlys and eye contact. While making some sound/talking and backing up, does it matter if I keep my eye focus on them, is it better to move eyes back and forth (or up and down) from them, or is there no difference ( to anyone's knowledge)?

[@FBall-im8ui]

I was charged by a Grizzly in the Kananaskis, I am lucky to be alive and grateful every morning I wake up, he was beautiful and I interrupted him eating berries but he let me live.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks again!

[@arottie4097]

WoW, how close did it actually get to you before stopping?

[@milagiganticurchod6138]

Was not your time!!

[@monicajones8450]

bet you went home with soggy pants. Holly cow!!

[@jimnaz5267]

wow i played golf at that Kanaskis, it never occured to me to be aware of bears, black or brown. Yikes. there were elk all over a couple of the holes but they moved on before we got to that part of the course.

[@QuesoGr7]

When a brown bear attacks play dead. When a black bear attacks, embrace your inner Russian.

[@TruthTe11er]

And if a polar bear attacks, make peace with God.

[@logflogger]

@@TruthTe11er Bryan Blessed found that punching it in the face and shouting bloody bugger off worked for him.

[@Leto_0]

@@logflogger Yeah that's my best bet, bears noses are sensitive so you might be able to make it more painful than it's worth for it. You just gotta hope you get one that isn't starving... slim odds though :( pun unfortunately intended

[@TheRadiantSoap]

Black bears scavenge during the winter, so do NOT mix these up 😂

[@intox69]

Yea you go ahead and play dead... lol

[@cillyhoney1892]

When I was a kid and my family was on a camping trip, my mother scared off a black bear by banging a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon and yelling at it to 'git'. I had trouble sleeping in the tent that night.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Done that too! Thanks for sharing!

[@chrismba777]

I had trouble sleeping in a tent as a child after reading Gary Larson's, Far Side cartoon, where one bear exclaimed to another bear about people in sleeping bags; "Sandwiches!"

[@crazybrickstudios7482]

@Chris MBA The people in the sleeping bags: (snore)(snore) huh...what? HOLY SHI-OH CRAP! STAY BACK! STAY-AAHGHAUG!!!! (Insert scout [from tf2] scream here) AHHHHHHHHHH

[@briantannenbaum8110]

Sushi Midnight yeah I’m sure a damn pan would kill a bear

[@lirile-2]

Sushi Midnight what type of muscles was she packing then LOL

[@loissemanek1715]

This is the absolute best video about bears in the wild. Thanks

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cloudshifter]

"It's more likely to get hit by lightning" Me who his house got hit by lightning and almost died: *sweats* Bear: It's my turn now

[@RBG-ez7pd]

What’s the story?

[@cloudshifter]

@@RBG-ez7pd I was in my house on the upper floor when a lightning struck exacly on top of me but luckily it got grounded instantly to the basement, I could had easily been shocked since I was on my pc at that time.

[@RBG-ez7pd]

CloudShifter holy crap. That’s frightening! Glad you’re okay, brother.

[@ridzz.714]

That’s scary, hope you good

[@cloudshifter]

@@ridzz.714 I didn't really notice anything until our alarm just went crazy since it short circuit. Afar from that my pc screen just shut off despite the lightning hitting right on top of my ceiling. My mother got an even bigger scare at that time. She was in the pc on the floor level, it almost exploded oof.

[@gcprost]

I’m glad that you pointed out that bears are individuals and they can respond differently. I have had many bear encounters both grizzly and black bear and I am always on high alert.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for watching.

[@Leto_0]

Man that scene of the biker turning his head and seeing the bear perfectly placed in a clearing at the top of the hill, that's a better scene than you'll find in most movies

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Conor, I didn't know when I made this video but it turns out that that clip is a fake. Sorry about that. It does show what is often reported that brown bears are prone to defensive attacks when surprised.

[@SequoiaWanderer]

One encounter I remember is when I was camping in Sequoia National Park. These campers (as usual) had left all of their lunch stuff on the table next to our camp. We didn't know about it until we came back and there was a bear with two cubs sitting on the table eating all of their lunch items. Surprise, surprise. Someone called a ranger, and it was amazing. The ranger came, parked his car, got out calmly and located the bear. The moment he saw the bear it's like he turned into a monster. He ran at her and her two cubs screaming his head off, "HEY BEAR!!!". He never paused, he never showed fear, he just ran super hard and fast at them while screaming his head off. That Momma bear and those babies hit light speed getting out of the camping area LOL. Always be the more aggressive part of a black bear situation.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Great story. Absolutely!

[@mikedebell2242]

If that had happened to me, I'd probably had joined the bears and ran off with them.😂

[@maxinemcclurd1288]

After seeing a really big bear in the edge of my yard I smelled BBQ from neighbors up the ridge.That night I woke to the most ungodly noise.It was the bear dragging their large grill through the woods down a ridge hitting every tree on the way. Got a laugh out of it.

[@KevinOutdoors]

That's a pretty good story. Bears do like BBQ grills!

[@candicescott7176]

The ranger was behaving like a Bigfoot, bears are terrified of those.

[@Leosooter]

Great video. I really appreciate the detail and the lack of dramatization. I've read Herrero's excellent "Bear Attacks Their Causes and Avoidance",but's great to see your collection of bear encounter videos so I can see the bears actual body language.

[@paulmarsh9544]

Famous last words...Hey, Hey,Heeeeeey

[@KevinOutdoors]

I guess so.

[@pavelthefabulous5675]

bitconeeeect

[@craZysteve547]

My wife doesn’t believe in meee!

[@Eza_yuta]

Hej.. hej.. heeeejj

[@pavelthefabulous5675]

@@Eza_yuta Last words before a Russian bear attack.

[@ChickSage]

Back in the 70s, I was taught to wear a bell so as to avoid surprising and frightening the bears. The bell did draw attention from curious bears but I was told it's better to draw a little attention than it is to surprise a bear by suddenly being too close for it's comfort. I don't think people do the bell thing anymore. I was also taught to examine bear scat and told that, if the bear scat has a lot of twigs in it, there is a hungry bear in the area. That turned out to be very beneficial information to have. Always check that scat. This was a great video, thank you. peace

[@KevinOutdoors]

Good points about the bell. Check out part 3 it deals with that issue.

[@alainlefebvre9860]

If the scat is full of bells, I suggest get the he11 outta there!!

[@anniefreiler8036]

@@alainlefebvre9860 Lol, that is one of the funniest comments...I can't stop laughing

[@laurencurry4528]

I did hear about the bells too. I have seen recent videos with ppl using them. I did hear that along with the bells, you should carry on a conversation with the ppl in the group.

[@End_Domestic_Violence]

We made my grandmother wear a bell to warn people there was a toothless old hag coming, and they ought to look away to avoid being turned to stone. A community service, you might say...

[@ghosthuntergirl2048]

“If a black bear attacks, I recommend fighting it.” Me: 🤓

[@ghosthuntergirl2048]

@Rich Greene lol not gonna lie, I would get wrecked if it decided to go full alpha 🤷‍♀️

[@winter_s_44]

Funniest comment ever.

[@arandompersonlol1202]

@Ken Call And you're lying.

[@whut6144]

If a bear attacks i'd recommend dying

[@jammin6816]

Me: Or challenge it to a game of chess? 🤓

[@RobertEFuller]

Great no nonsense advice People Sensationalise the danger of being around bears But they for the most part what to avoid humans It’s more dangerous being in most major cities than being in the backcountry with wildlife

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks. Exactly, the fatality rate for simply driving to a park is much higher than the fatality rate within a park.

[@paulrevere2379]

First comment in about 100 from someone who gets it. It's not that complicated.

[@griller2999]

Did anyone else worry about a bear coming out of the woods behind him lol

[@KevinOutdoors]

I am never going to stand there again 😀

[@zmyt_017]

@@KevinOutdoors ahahhahah

[@mothhunter2337]

they always come when you least expect it

[@toniaansaldo8140]

I kinda think he knew better.

[@numerik4636]

Lol yes

[@rparsonsuk25]

Im from uk. When walking through smokey mountains i wasn't looking where i was walking and walked straight up almost toe toe with a bear. I looked up to see this bear standing up on its back legs looking down on me. Im 6ft 2in and it towered over me. It raised its head and sniffed the air. I just froze. It came down on all fours and there was that moment between us. All suprise and fear went away. I was ready for it. Then it turned and walked away. Thank fuck

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thank fu*k indeed! Fortunately that is how most encounters play out. Thanks for the story!

[@CentralZenn]

this is awesome!

[@rparsonsuk25]

@@CentralZenn ye man. I took out my camra and stepped off the trail after this bear and lost my footing on some loose ground. I heared ssssss and looked down to see this big snake moving under my foot. I thought fuck this n went back to the trail

[@blondknight99]

You were walking on the left side of the trail. US bears attack people on the right side.

[@Julian-bq9qv]

@@blondknight99 LOL~~~~

[@SandorFule]

A very important advice: The wild bears do not understand english. So if you say "good boy" it is the same as you say "food toy" for them. Bears speak bear language.

[@Buhllake]

Yeah it doesn't matter what the words are but the phrase "good boy" may be easier to say calm and collected as if saying it towards a dog. The main thing is that speaking calmly without aggression lets the bear know where you are at, and reduces the stress on the bear by not shouting etc.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Bang on!

[@Buhllake]

@Beumadine Sweevy Yes because black bears tend to respond differently than brown bears... that was also addressed. The using a calm voice was for brown bears. More aggressive behavior was towards black bears. Not sure what point you are trying to prove here.

[@CaptainPupu]

Nem is azért mondja. A hangsúly az ...nos az pontosan a hangsúlyon van! Elméletileg megnyugtatja a medvét. Bár, szerintem ha az elhatározza magát, mondhatsz neki bármit, nem fog azon változtatni hogy eledel lesz belőled.

[@SandorFule]

@@CaptainPupu Egy ember mellett élő kutya nagy pontossággal értelmezi a hangsúlyainkat, mert megtanulta. Egy vadon élő medve esetében ez kétséges. Lehet, hogy morgásnak veszi a duruzsolást.

[@nevermind19700]

I've always been so intrigued with Bears , but terrified of them.at the same time. Bears being individuals and reacting differently seems like the most common sense thing to me. I'm sure a lot of attacks are also opportunistic. But this is by far , the best video I've ever seen on explaining why Bears do what they do. Thank you ! 🙏

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much!

[@DarkRaven40011]

Thank you for explaining that animals are not one dimensional cute or killer creatures. Animals are complex and should be treated with respect. Thank you

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@ZentaBon]

I'm glad you understand. After all, humans are animals and we have no reason to believe that just because we don't understand them that they're not complex

[@matthewharter6134]

YT: Wanna learn about surviving Bear attacks 230 in the morning while having a drink during a Pandemic? Me: Yeah, might need to know this someday.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Perfect, the spell is working 😀

[@paulhollingworth7752]

What else do you have to do lol

[@elliotalderson8358]

Lol. I saw one last week.

[@oORoOFLOo]

This guy is a fraud, I went to the local club called "The Bears" and none of these tips worked!

[@KevinOutdoors]

LOL, I was just referring to 'bears' in certain habitats. You are on your own in bar.

[@oORoOFLOo]

@@KevinOutdoors the men were as hairy

[@sirburr6602]

@@oORoOFLOo 💀 you have me rolling rn

[@Harcix]

Same here. The tactic "lie down and play dead" didnt work either

[@chasengrieshop]

LOL

[@h.p.oliver8666]

This is what I call a great video. First, this fellow obviously knows his subject well. He may have had some notes, but he wasn't reading a script. He spoke conversationally and presented his information in language anyone can understand. His illustrations, clips and graphics were well done and clear. His presentation was well organized in a logical order. In short, if I was heading into bear country (highly unlikely!) I would feel perfectly safe with this fellow. Thanks for an informative documentary!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, much appreciated!

[@sharpsbattle]

A few years ago, a friend and I were out hiking near Banff in Canada and ran into a grizzly and two cubs. The mom didn’t see us at first, so we stood quiet, but when she did she charged us. My first though was to fight back, but in the three seconds it took her to close the distance and I saw how big she was, I knew instantly I had no chance. Luckily it was a bluff charge. It was very intense and you feel so helpless. I now carry bear spray. 😁 Thanks for the video, very informative.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for the story Jade, amazing! Glad you are OK!

[@Dwightstjohn-fo8ki]

Banff grizzly are extensively monitored. We want that corridor open from the Yukon/Alaska all the way down the Canadian Rockies into Idaho and Montana. There's a momma bear that now accounts for over twenty percent of the adult breeders in that watershed. Very successful, usually has tripletts, and we just had a (leucistic) white bear show up last year, so the gene pool is getting a little narrow. Problem bears in what is a National Park and extensively visited are removed immediately.

[@machiirose]

Glad you lived to tell the story, God bless 🙏🏾

[@barbaravyse660]

Glad you’re ok. These bears are so cute but also deadly.

[@sexykabuto6368]

Everyone gansta till the bear stands up

[@danadowning2065]

Note about bear spray: I suggest keeping the safety on as long as possible, especially if you are still in your tent. I speak from personal experience. LOL...

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yep, I have heard of incidents like that. Good lesson!

[@ronyalemerrill]

Lol... good to know. I don’t know the story but it sounds like something I’d do 😂😂😂

[@BuzzOrHowl]

Just store it in your pants, as long as your underwear has a tight waistband the safety is unnecessary!

[@frankaylwardjr4986]

How could you dislike someone trying to give advice to save your life? I don’t get ppl... Thank you for the video, it was very helpful.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Frank, it is a strange world isn't it?

[@iAsked900]

They probably want a short and generic advice videos like "brown do this, black do this, white do this, if its rainbow you're on shrooms"XD But seriously tho, WHY

[@joostdriesens3984]

There were lots of bears disliking the video, they don't appreciate this kind of scrutiny..

[@davidrobins1021]

@@joostdriesens3984 Some polar bears disliked it because they got left out.

[@camez2345]

I know! I live in the middle of Chicago and have watched this about 10 times in the past year. It's just really interesting and well put together. I've also watched part 2 on bear spray, and also the "how to dehydrate corn chowder" episode. This guy's just a pro! So to your point, I don't understand the dislikes, either. Boring people with short attention spans.

[@xxDPKINGxx]

As a midwesterner getting ready to go backpacking in grizzly country thank you, this is the best video i've seen.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Wow, thanks, glad it was helpful!

[@juliusgonzo7527]

The best anecdote about Black Bears predictability I've heard was, frankly as you noted, they're all individuals. Thus, think of walking into a poolroom with 20 guys in there, 18 of them are ok, but the other two are just looking for a fight...and proceed to do it...

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Julius, I think it is very reasonable to understand the types of bears and their trends but you never know what they will do.

[@meinname5788]

Julius Gonzo ... Right... Only that those pool guys dont want To Eat your Organs 😂😂😂

[@ZenFox0]

I’m reminded of Timothy Treadwell in the film “Grizzly Man”.

[@windyrotorblast]

I live in the mountains and encounters with bears happen often. So often that you do note their individuality and curiosity. Julius has it right: A bear is like a 800 pound drunk in your camp, mostly harmless but bares watching. Oh and never take your garbage out after dark.

[@gentlegoat6663]

Guy: *That's a good boy.* Grizzly Bear: *What did you just call me m*********er?*

[@KevinOutdoors]

Ha, yep.

[@GrislyAtoms12]

Woman: That was a bluff charge... and they always stop. 2nd bear: Hold my beer...

[@freddovich7925]

2nd beer: hold my bear...

[@GrislyAtoms12]

@@freddovich7925 I think you had more than 2 beers when you wrote that. ;)

[@Brian-uq4wu]

Her ignorance could have got her killed and her advice could kill others. I'm probably just salty this morn, but this woman needs to show a tad more respect

[@jennyfrey2307]

Never say always !

[@GrislyAtoms12]

@@Brian-uq4wu Fortunately, most people are smart enough to realize she's wrong.

[@winoodlesnoodles1984]

Incredible video! I have had five black bear encounters in the wild. All encounters were in remote areas. Two were within 100 feet and one was within 10 feet. Neither of us were expecting that encounter at less than 10 feet. The knowledge given out in this video enhances my knowledge. The knowledge that overlaps with my knowledge and my experience is 100% accurate. Great job! As for the map of black bear ranges, take that with a grain of salt. It is a solid recommendation, but I grew up in Wisconsin and the typical black bear range in Wisconsin and Minnesota goes a bit further south than the map shows. I say typical, because, on occassion (sightings once every 10-20years), black bear do range as far south as northern Illinois.

[@HughButler-lb6zs]

We have a lot of black bears in Arkansas. Even have a hunting season for them. They are migrating south into the Eastern part of Texas.

[@lynkent2013]

We have black bears in northeastern Iowa now occasionally as far south as Central Iowa

[@jgooo101]

Omg that guy on the bike ride saw death! "yep il go down this impossible slope", no hesitation.

[@VelkanAngels]

Kinda like when a car charges at someone (or rather... the person DRIVING the car charges at someone) and instead of running sideways off the road, where the car can't follow them, they run straight down the road. I think the instant reflex is just to run in the exact opposite direction of where the charge is coming from. Just my guess.

[@YuiFunami]

the prometheus school of running away from things

[@realenew]

well you can't outrun a bear anyway

[@evilevan9687]

So tru

[@AeneasGemini]

@@realenew A bear can run faster than a man, but has this been tested against a cyclist? I think we need some empirical testing to find out!

[@rp338]

I wouldn’t assume a bluff charge. Real enough to me.

[@KevinOutdoors]

You only know they were bluffing when they actually stop.

[@Special_Tactics_Force_Unit]

That's literally the point

[@HussAA23BBall]

Rebecca Phillips Do you know what bluff means?

[@reddawng43x91]

Lmao

[@swornsword1083]

@Theo P The bear's eyes were red because it was stressed. The lady wouldn't leave him alone, that's why he feigned an attack. He wanted her to go away.

[@susiepittman601]

I've seen many videos about bears and this is the best and most informative I've seen. Thanks so much.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Susie, I put a lot of research and effort into this one and I am glad it is appreciated! Thanks!

[@indo3972]

Latest death by Bear was in my area in Alberta.Body found but the type of bear and whereabouts unknown. Man was just on his routine morning run in the woods by his home. May he r.i.p.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yeah, I just saw that recently. Terrible.

[@mytherapistsaidno6643]

bears don’t even exist in my country but i feel like i need to know this information, thanks !

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for the visit!

[@skibooski6884]

That’s a shame they’re quite a sight to behold

[@scp--wc9zv]

@@skibooski6884 with your balls in their mouth?

[@Chocochipsahoy]

Me living in country where bears dont exist: KZbin: Hey you might want to know how to survive a bear attack

[@yspegel]

Same here.... still interesting

[@tonysbones2813]

It's trying to warn you 😂

[@yumyummyism]

I literally thought to myself there’s no point in me watching this from Manchester and my brain was just like “you never know” 😂

[@jong-jongspeaks4224]

Same here.

[@UkuleleVillain]

you might travel to a country where bears do exist someday

[@CyclingSJH]

Single most comprehensive video on this topic in all of KZbin.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks! That is a great compliment.

[@alainlefebvre9860]

Definitely a great video! Thanks.

[@Fauxtralto]

Was hiking just the other day and came across fresh bear scat- turned around and got back to the car with my dog. Hiking solo can be fun but it’s ok to give up finishing the trail for safety. I had bear spray and my dog but I was surprised since the area is not known for bears- they are moving into the area

[@DannyMacDJ]

You probably did the right thing I would say that a bear in an area it's not usually known for is out of desperation therefore unpredictable & very hungry

[@isaiahbray9312]

Where abouts??

[@garolstipock]

Proof positive answer to the age old question: "Does a bear s#!t in the woods?"

[@CFTWFILMS]

Better safe than sorry. Save your hike for another day.

[@CFTWFILMS]

Just encountered a cub on the trail I was on and immediately backed up as the momma was not visible. I warned others as we headed back down and these idiots did not think it was a big deal.

[@unicornmeatman2267]

I went hunting with my uncle at a young age (so I though bears were just angry killing animals) and one showed up. It was a black bear I was scared and my uncle leaned over and said “watch this” and he just whistled loudly (this man was could whistle like a train) and it did that scooby doo run trying to get away. Funniest thing I’ve ever seen.

[@KevinOutdoors]

That's a great story thanks for sharing.

[@vladgonchar]

Thank you

[@asazinator]

LOL great story.

[@SharonCullenArt]

I had a situation at Smoky Mtn National Park. I had stepped out of my truck to take a photo. Traffic was backd up way up ahead and we had been sitting quit awhile. We figured it may have been an animal sighting because that is what usually causes these back ups. When I stepped out of the passenger side of the truck I walk in front between our truck and a car, when I came around the corner of the car there was a bear coming toward me. I knew I should never turn my back to a bear so I began to talk quietly and backed away, but for every step it took I needed to take about three. I was within the distance that I could have patted it on the forehead, and although I should have been afraid, it was non threatening, and obviously wanted to be away from the crowd. I kept backing up until I felt the heat from the grill of the truck and then quickly side stepped when it also followed me but still calmly. I got to the edge of the truck and then spun around and opened the door and jumped in. What I didn’t realize was that whil I was backing away I was holding my camera and had held so tightly the shutter kept snapping photos. I have plenty of closeups and never want to be that close up ever again.

[@KevinOutdoors]

What a story Sharon! Glad you are OK!

[@dzoli6698]

„They did a great job, they spoke with the bear” my god that so cute that soft calm conversation with a bear is part of survival advice 😂❤️

[@miyeongyu556]

My heart was racing watching the example of a peaceful encounter...

[@KevinOutdoors]

Pretty high stress situation.

[@nowthenzen]

"I Hope you feel more comfortable" also "Black Bears will eat you" so, sure, I guess.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Well now you know! 🙂

[@SovereignStatesman]

My method of bear safety: MILES OF DISTANCE.

[@milagiganticurchod6138]

wise...respect their habitat

[@supcunt3494]

Or a big iron on your hip

[@thaddeuscheeleyjr.369]

@@supcunt3494 good for taking out Texas Red too.

[@mrsmacca126]

Tom Evans Mine too. Also, applies to SHARKS!

[@jasonking1284]

Or watch them on TV

[@visons2611]

I live in northern New Hampshire in a town of 500. The one piece of advice that I can give is stay away from baby bears. The mom is always nearby and she will attack you.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yep, avoid bears if you can.

[@soggywet3321]

I live in New hampshire, a couple weeks ago a bear raided a trashbag that we forgot to put in the garage lol. Super rural here, I have to drive an hour just to get to the nearest mcdonalds

[@saltpeter7429]

I live in NH as well. A lot of bear activity near my home, but, I live across the street from bear hollow rd. Lol, it's TRUE. Like an ancient bear highway here, they just do their thing, we do ours. I have 2 small children, so I also have 2 large dogs, we just stay alert. I am not worried too much, but not lackadaisical and complacent either. They can kill if they want. So, I dont subscribe to the idea that they are harmless, they are usually harmless. Live free or die, go's for all of us. I grew up here running around in the woods and I never had a scary run in with a bear, it's just not very likely to happen.

[@STMARTIN009]

I live in Massachusetts and there was a black bear sighting 2 weeks ago on the apartment complex where I live in Central MA near Worcester. I have not seen one since but you always have to be on the lookout I suppose.

[@chriss1686]

Excellent video! The only thing I would add is the season. When males are in a rut, they're far more aggressive and territorial than when they're focused on bulking for the winter.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Chris, but bears don't 'rut', the females have something called delayed 'implantation'. They mate at all times of the year, the egg gets fertilized but doesn't implant in the uterus until the right time of year. I am looking at the data related 'season of attack' for a future video. There isn't a strong trend in season although spring appears to be a little safer.

[@chriss1686]

@@KevinOutdoors That's really interesting, didn't know that. I used "rut" as a coverall for behaviour during mating season but guess it's not accurate. I'll definitely look up the objective data, but it contravenes what I've learned/experienced that male bears are way more aggressive and apt to attack during mating season. Males protect their range aggressively, and polar bears specifically are apt to kill cubs to make the female receptive. At least that's what I thought! I'll be interested in a future video of yours about mating season and the demonstrable effects on bear-human interactions, if any. I know "common knowledge" is often inaccurate, and would love to see some data. Cheers bro.

[@mjinba07]

I live in a rural area with lots of cabins and recreational property where people come for vacations from their city lives. They want to see wild life, and have the naive notion that black bears are cute, cuddly, and largely harmless. So they put out feed - for any animals they can draw. The bears become habituated and then when one develops a behavior problem or attacks, the DNR has to go out and shoot it. Drives me nuts.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Absolutely, people shouldn't feed wildlife especially bears. A fed bear usually ends up a dead bear.

[@od1401]

That's like luring a lion or tiger to your house...why would anyone do that it's insane

[@CantusTropus]

@@od1401 It's the outcome of people over-sentimentalising animals and forgetting that wild animals are not your friends.

[@janedoex1398]

Omfg that's horrible. A bear that becomes used to human food is a threat and soon either cause an accident and end up dead. Feed doves or squirrels damn people !

[@mjinba07]

​@@janedoex1398 Nice idea, but... if it's caloric, it's bear food. They are omnivores. They'll eat whatever's out there for whatever kind of animal.

[@cactusmom8203]

I wasn't actively looking for this information, nor did I expect to stay and watch the whole thing, but I did! This was genuinely a very interesting and well-presented video. Thank you for sharing!!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@briancline7349]

How about during a bear attack you focus less on recording the bear and more on protecting yourself?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yes I think you are on to something.

[@narwhal6041]

louiseleu yes he does

[@madmax9009]

KZbin fame before life!

[@Disgruntled_Dave]

Nah. If your first instinct is to turn your back to the bear in order to get a "sweet selfie" with it, you should do just that. Let natural selection take its course!

[@12201185234]

Or avoiding the encounter altogether?

[@dlpvapor919]

Thanks for the video, I live in Flagstaff and one winter I got a small powerful hybrid crossbow for Christmas and the following days it snowed very hard. My backyard is forested and and went out in silence and started to practice and calibrate my crossbow over my backyard fence. When I was picking up my arrows, I stumbled upon big tracks everywhere near my backyard fence the size of bear paws. I smelled and dreaded fear sweat in that instance and returned home. So watching the map made me more concerned about how there is actually bears migrating there throughout seasonal change. Plus my neighbors said they lost about nine dogs due to mountain lions.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for sharing. Very sorry about your neighbours dogs.

[@gaddyify]

About time a video about Bear attacks that make sense, i never bought the set rules of standing up to a bear or playing dead. This guy is right bears are like people who have individual personalities.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Terry, I really appreciate that comment!

[@gaddyify]

@@KevinOutdoors Think you for your intelligent video.

[@pjohnson179]

12:17 "So basically, black bears, when they do kill somebody, it's because they're looking for a meal." (Kevin licks lips, as if finishing a meal :) ) I found that amusing. Excellent video, Kevin!

[@KevinOutdoors]

LOL, I didn't plan that.

[@ronankelly4471]

Hmm. Werebear suspected ...

[@0DINN]

Awhile ago my friend group went camping together, there was a bear warning in the area at the time so we all had bear spray with us at all times... except when it mattered. We had to take our trash to the bin for the night so that no bears would pillage our site, the bin was just down a dirt road (2 minute walk max). One of my friends and I grabbed the trash and headed out thinking that it was so close that we didn't need to worry. About halfway up the road we look out into the clearing and I say "Dude is that a bear? Oh... no its many bears like a mama and cubs" The mama pokes her head up and looks at us then stands and makes a very strange noise I've never heard a bear make. When I turn to get my friend's reaction all I saw was the trash on the ground and him running already halfway back to camp. I start slowly walking back making sure to keep facing the bear and finally he comes running back with bear spray. Like "thanks but if she started mauling me because you ran off, what would that have done?"

[@KevinOutdoors]

LOL, great story, yes always carry bear spray.

[@BraceFamAdventures]

Great video! I’ve had many wild bear(black) close encounters, especially as a kid fishing in northern Wisconsin and Colorado. Never once did I ever feel threatened but had family that taught about being safe with them since I was young. Definitely important to learn about animal behavior a bit if your planning to spend time in the back country and we try to teach our kids about being safe with wild animals too. 😃 👏

[@GHM28]

Hands down, this is the most broadly informative, professional and best North American bear awareness video of all time. Thank you so much for the extra time and detail. ✊

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Mark!

[@ctanner8182]

Great information, my husband responded to a fatal black bear mauling where the bear was very persistent and unfortunately got one of them. These folks did all the right things to try to get the bear to leave their residence. It's rare but they don't always leave when making noise, etc.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Sad story but yes once in a while they don't back down.

[@tmac7547]

@@KevinOutdoors Have you ever heard anything about the direction the bear is circling you? I heard that if they are moving counter clockwise they are more likely to be in a predatory mode, where if they are moving clockwise they're likely curious but not prone to attacking? Have you any info on that?

[@TruthTe11er]

@@tmac7547 that sounds like mumbo jumbo.

[@Bidmartinlo]

Me: "Hmm... could be useful, never know if I might actually meet a bear." Me after video: "ALWAYS WEAR YOUR FULL PLATE ARMOR IN THE WOODS!"

[@CrystalSmith-uk6hd]

Well that just makes you canned prey! Haha

[@Bidmartinlo]

@@CrystalSmith-uk6hd Well... well... bears don't have CAN OPENERS! HA-HA! :D

[@crazybrickstudios7482]

Or just keep a 44 magnum with you when goo hiking or camping

[@flavorlessquark8614]

crazybrickstudios you shouldn’t shoot a bear. One it’s illegal and two you’re in it’s territory. It’s like I went to your house and shot you

[@Legitpenguins99]

@@flavorlessquark8614 if a bear is charging you and you have a gun i doubt anyone would just stand there and let it kill you

[@huntonion]

human brain: these creature are very dangerous, be careful. also human brain: i want to hug em so bad

[@wanderingseth]

I blame Disney haha

[@alan4sure]

There is a big grizzly in Banff National Park, Canada. Known as "The Boss", possibly biggest bear in the park. He ate a black bear before going into hibernation one year. Made a name for himself. Also survived getting hit by a train.

[@sincereeastman6972]

That sounds Badass, a King

[@ericdias4199]

Did the train survived?

[@alan4sure]

@@ericdias4199yes, they think it got away because it left it's tracks. 😆

[@nevermind19700]

Jesus , a train ? lololol

[@yoboikamil525]

He WHAT

[@theannouncer5538]

I guess I’ll never get to scratch “hug a bear” off my bucket list. Or I could, but it would have to be the last thing on the list.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yep, make a new list 😀

[@nyapoleon8999]

Well Giant Pandas might be a way. They only eat bamboo so you're not likely to be prey for them. Since bamboo is really bad food for them, they only ever eat or sleep to conserve energy. Therefore, they are too lazy to attack. And lastly, they breed very rarely which means you probably won't run into a mother trying to defend her cubs.

[@jamesslough6465]

First, you did an excellent job explaining bear attacks and the strategies on dealing with bears; I learned a lot. I live in West Virginia in a rural but not remote area and we have bear encounters all the time with black bears. One comes up around my house often between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 am and goes after the bird feeders. Everything you said was accurate, and my neighbor killed a black bear that was trying to attack him a few years ago. I saw that bear (feeding on wild blackberries) and he was heavily damaged by mange (most of his hair was missing and I couldn’t figure out at first what kind of animal he was). A few weeks later he attacked the neighbor while he was working his horses and the neighbor killed him immediately. I always tell people that if you can see 50 yards down through the woods, the bear will be at 55 yards. I always leave the bears alone and consider them as a powder keg about to go off. In future videos you could stress a little more about their tremendous strength. I always tell people that in a fair fight with a bear, the Bear ALWAYS wins! For those who want to try a bear strength test, I recommend that they take a large wooden strong trash box, pack it with heavy trash and food, and securely lock the lid. Then with their bare hands, rip the lid off (still locked) and throw the trash box down the road to where it rolls over 3 times. When they can do that, they are ready to take on a bear. Anyway, thanks for posting the video, I enjoyed it a lot.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much James and thanks for sharing the experience!

[@you2231]

wow

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

I've read of a few Grizzlies in the 1800s taking the head off hunters stalking them. They waited behind a tree.

[@pk3]

How did your neighbor kill the bear? Gun?

[@jamesslough6465]

Praveen Krishnan He shot the bear with a rifle I think but I wasn’t there and I heard the info from the other neighbor. I don’t think it was much of a challenge because when I saw the bear (running from me leaving the raspberry patch) he was in pretty pitiful shape with super bad mange and the neighbor killed him a month or so later. It also wasn’t a particularly big bear; when I saw him he was too big to be a big dog but not really a big animal and I couldn’t figure out at first what it was (due to the mange). Also, the game warden didn’t give him any trouble for killing it out of season and here in WV the game laws are really tough and they normally jack you around pretty good even if you are justified (unless you have bite marks). So I think the Game Warden felt it was more of a mercy killing than a problem.

[@kapuzinergruft]

2001 I stayed in Romania for a work in the animal fields. There used to be lots of scrap yard bears, and people were very relaxed about it. One older guy supposedly died from a heart attack because there was a bear hidden in the doorway of the house.

[@sadsworth4605]

That's the most important thing see as many tips you have the first time encountering a big one it will cause you immense fear

[@Cowboycomando54]

It is interesting to see how smart these animals are, especially when it comes to using tactics in a predatory attack.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yes, the predatory attack is very different than what a lot of people might think.

[@andrewchristiansen8311]

Dude, as you're saying all this im surprised how you can without ever looking over your shoulder once.

[@KevinOutdoors]

LOL, yes we have had black bears in our yard many times, but we live in a rural area (rather than remote) and bears learn to stay scarce.

[@ronyalemerrill]

Hahahahaha! I was thinking...”Man, this video would take a crazy turn if a bear walked up behind him!”.

[@SerMattzio]

I was just waiting for the demonic sound of snorting coming from the woods.

[@adog3129]

I always get paranoid when I go outside at night, so this has really helped with my nerves

[@KevinOutdoors]

I'm glad for that.

[@diegestive4167]

Don’t want to get you paranoid again but I doubt you’ll see the bear at night if you’re out in the woods.

[@kratosgodofwar4313]

Nah people are more scary at night than bears someone could kill you and a bear would get the blame because it would eat your corpse and your killer could get away unpunished so be more careful from people at night

[@craigrussell3062]

Very informative video! I came because yesterday a 250 lb black bear was trapped in downtown Pittsburgh, where I live and work. Western PA is mostly quite rural, but the place he had been feeding is about as urban as it gets, right in the heart of the city. (Do a Google maps streetview search of the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh.) Apparently no human actually saw the bear, but they could tell from the scat that he'd been hiding out on a nearby hill and feeding from a dumpster at night for about two weeks. This story had a happy ending, as the bear was safely transported to a forest the next county over, but I never in a million years thought there'd be a possibility of running into a bear in the dead center of such a large metro area. Thanks to this video, I now know if I do encounter a bear around here, it's definitely a black bear, and I should be loud and aggressive rather than playing dead. Thank you Kevin Outdoors!

[@tntangel360]

I live in the Caribbean, why am I watching this 😂

[@blockEdragon]

Caribbean bears are the deadliest of all, dude! They're so stealthy that most people don't know they exist, and they're extra dangerous because most folk don't know to worry about them. You're smart though, you're preparing yourself for the day when the ninja bears inevitably grow bold.

[@VelkanAngels]

I was wondering the same thing, though I'm from Denmark, lol. I've never even seen a potentially-dangerous animal. Just foxes, moles, porcupines, deer, hares... Who knows when a bear is gonna stow away on a cargo ship and walk onto shore, though! It could happen. :l

[@AWildBard]

Watch out for Reggae Shark, though. He might steal your ganja.

[@12201185234]

A lot of this information is applicable to most animals, honestly. Wild pigs, for instance.

[@citabriaable]

Obviously you haven't yet heard about the Caribbean bear....usually wearing a tag device, a small boombox playing Jimmy Buffet music. Sometimes found with been can tab in paw...

[@welshpete12]

Many years ago I visited some friends that I knew. Who lived about 35 miles north of New York city . They told me they get black bear in their garden, which was a great surprise to me . She showed me a photograph of a mother with two cubs eating . What I think , was their strawberries, but I maybe wrong on that point . Of course here in Wales Britain , where I live we do not have bears . Only dragons , they are easy to spot being bright red .

[@KevinOutdoors]

I would hate to wake up one morning and find a dragon in my garden. I suppose you get used to it.

[@tiffkungpoify]

If I’m in a group of four I just need to run faster then the other three. 😂😬😭

[@KevinOutdoors]

You bet!

[@noapology88]

Nah, Mate- ya just need to outrun one of the other three.

[@freakazoid4691]

But if the others don't run you're the only the bear sees as prey. ;)

[@tiffkungpoify]

Freakhead X If it was just my kids and I that’s the way I would want it. 😍😉

[@weld_baby]

@@noapology88 are you a nzer?

[@jonasf1275]

i love the guy who did not shoot the bear, he really tried to avoid shooting the mother in front of it's child. That shows a lot of balls and social intelligence.

[@robertmize327]

Too much paperwork

[@camez2345]

@@robertmize327 lol

[@camez2345]

@C GI If you're genuinely passionate about educating people on a topic, not mocking them is the way to go. People tend to close up or tune out when demeaned. This is true regardless of subject matter. It's nearly impossible to respect someone who shames you as they "educate" you. Surely you've experienced this in your own life. We all have.

[@chopstickx]

wtf

[@TheCoin100]

at least 5 balls

[@AAa-rn3ib]

First guy: “Hey, get out of my yard please. Have a nice day!” “You should be a “liTtlE” more aggressive with black bears. Second guy “I’m gonna shoot you”

[@thomasbishop3494]

When you brought up the lightning strike then followed up with 'bear' I immediately imagined a bear falling from the sky at mach 20 and hitting some poor schmuck in the head.

[@mobeenkhan824]

Thomas Bishop I think the bear would be even more poor.

[@p4tmaster]

I live in germany. Scarriest thing here is my mum, so why am I watching this?? 10/10 would watch again

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks P4tmaster!

[@hr-wm2hh]

@ p4tmaster I’m from Berlin. Years ago I was with the motorbike in Croatia, and I was literally surprised as a bear stands on the (small) road and looked at me. Then he went his way in the wood.

[@Tatusiek_1]

hr You guys are lucky here in NA they’ll come and charge at you and they are built like tanks

[@kimmedavid]

Remember the bear Bruno that came to germanY from poland i think? First bear in germany since more then 100 years and that poor thing got shot ): rip Bruno

[@GumaroRVillamil]

I don't know man, wild boars are pretty scary

[@ThresherC88]

Useful info. Visiting Southern Washington with some friends this summer. There'll be four of us, but it never hurts to learn

[@KevinOutdoors]

Have a great trip!

[@enteryournamehere7275]

If a bear attacks, I recommend screaming "PERKELE!"

[@Tupev27]

Siihen et koske saatana.

[@104thironmike4]

Only works in Finnland. In many cases the bear will scream "perkele!" back, at which point you realize you have been merely charged by a fellow Finn.

[@FakeJake]

@@104thironmike4 Encounters with wild Finns are dangerous and often lethal too tho

[@corncrackerkid5092]

HUKKO

[@kenyanqueen.6674]

me: *lives in downtown L.A.* also me: *sees this video* well you never know..

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks anyway Kenda!

[@AWildBard]

haha believe it or not there are definitely bears and cougars in some of the mountains near LA I've seen bears, never a cougar, but every once in a while there are articles about cougar attacks on trail joggers in the mountains. you have to leave downtown though :))

[@songbird2g2]

😂😂😂

[@christianprinceteachesisla1662]

@@songbird2g2 Look out for them Antifa/BLM protestors. Pretty animalistic behaviour from what I've seen - spray recommended.

[@noizsrm_223]

also me in australia : 0_0

[@markrosier6889]

Having grown up in SE Alaska, I've had several occasions to meet numerous black bears, never had a problem, not even close. But the brown bears on Admiralty Island have been utterly and completely terrifying, but thankfully only once ended in the death of the bear.

[@timothypaxson2976]

Thank you for the info. I recently went camping and a black bear continued to check out my campsite and sniffed/growled a bit. The bear probably came back to my site 4-5 times and there was no food in the tent, just in my vehicle next to my tent. The food was stored in ziplock bags. I was in my tent and it was late at night. What would be your recommendation in that type of situation? I should note that it is a populated campsite so the bear may have been used to people. It was in a more rural location in the mountains though. Thanks in advance!

[@mrtwo_official]

gtfo brother… heard stories like that and people died many times in the same situation

[@legitgamer287]

If you can, always try to cook and have your food stored well away from where you sleep.

[@starstepney2332]

Leave immediately it stalking you gtfo of there

[@bofa722]

@@mrtwo_official just saw a video of a guy who's RV door was ripped open by a black bear that had smelled his dinner earlier. Sounded very similar to this comment... guy was killed and eaten a bit by the bear

[@Ajerichoable]

Me and my fam got chased uphill by a grizzly bear in Banff, thought we were gonna die but we got lucky and jumped off a steep ledge where the bear couldn’t go. The scariest moment of our lives, always bring bear spray hiking don’t be stupid like us!

[@bobnunyabiznz4917]

Chased? Running is always the wrong choice. It triggers their hunting instinct. Never EVER run. It may feel like the right thing to do but it can cause things to end very badly.

[@JohnnyEMatos]

or don't go where bears roam freely. This has worked wonders for me

[@bobnunyabiznz4917]

On second thought, this story has got to be bullshit. How were you able to outrun a creature that can run 35mph? Yes, we know you supposedly jumped off a ledge but prior to that?

[@Ajerichoable]

@@bobnunyabiznz4917 i have no reason to lie about this story! The bear was running up hill at a slower pace. Not really sure if he was necessarily trying to kill us or if he was just curiously stalking us but he got 10-15 feet away from us before we jumped.

[@nomaderic]

@@JohnnyEMatos "hey we made a national park but don't want you to come because there is bears"

[@ErrmNoo]

Bears are so cool. Just glad I'm in the UK because I couldn't imagine anything scarier than coming across a massive Grizzly.

[@KevinOutdoors]

They are quite a site in person!

[@alansaucedo6416]

i had a bear encounter once when i was hiking on the mountains by myself. He got kinda scared (me too obviously i was terrified). I handled the situation by going round over it ( he was in the middle of the trail, i went on the direction of trees and grass, cutting my legs with spines) keeping as much distance possible. Luckily he wasnt too curious of me and didnt want to get closer. I believe he was a yearling black bear. I was talking to him, as i was moving away. This happened on a remote trail very deep on the wild. That experience taught me to never ever go hiking alone. (I know it was a stupid thing of me to go alone)

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for sharing the story Alan!

[@CashJohnston]

I was chased by a groundhog once.

[@AlaskanGeezer]

I live in Alaska, I never leave home without bearspray. Bears are everywhere here. We also have very aggressive black bears. They don't really hibernate, they go into torpor, but some bears do not den up in the Winter! (Pregnant bears den up). We had 5 bears shot in Anchorage last month after attacking campers in their tents. They tore up tents and dragged people and shook them like toys. Also, they are sometimes in a dumpster, I had one pop up in my face and I screamed at it and punched it in the nose. It was less than 2 inches from my face. Black bears will stalk some people. We also have grizzly bears inside the city as well. Excellent and factual video, thank you!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Again, thanks for your comments. Amazing story!

[@tonyprice2256]

Wow! I would imagine their nose is the most sensitive part of a bear. So if you ever had to fight one, the nose is probably what you would want to strike at as hard as you can.