great looking black bears! i used to run into them alot when i lived in northern maine. few of them got really really really close a few times. but there are a few things you should know about blackbear incounters.
they are small. 200-260 max in most places. mostly foragers, not hunters *except for fish* diet of berrys leaves and roots.
not very territorial unless cubs are with them. if that is the case, get away silently and quickly becuase they will have a vicious response if they feel threatened.
they are faster than brown or grizzlies so if one charges, dont run! especially up a tree, they will follow. #2 most blackbear charges are false, they are just trying to see your reaction, if you run, they will chase, catch and maul you. stand your ground, make yourself look bigger and become very loud! odds are they will rear up about 10ft away, sniff, roar, hounch down and retreat if you dont move.
IF THEY DO ATTACK!!!.
black bears are not brown or grizzlies, and they ARE more vicious when fighting. few things to know
DO NOT PLAY DEAD! this only works with brown/grizzlies a blackbear eats carcases, so if you play dead it WILL KILL YOU.
FIGHT IT with everything you have, a rock a stick eye gouge do everything you can, its the fight of your life.
small caliber weapons will only piss it off, 9mm , 380........if thats all you have pick one spot on the animals body and pick away at it to create a very large wound. and prey it deters it.
dont ever believie you will "hear" a bear approaching, they can travel with speed bursts of 30mph silently, and if they are stalking. you WILL NOT hear them..
take note of the following signs
bee-hive looking skat filled with berries, twigs exct, if its arm a bear IS within 1000ft
broken twigs on the sides of bushes's trees, bears get itchy from bugs and rub purposefully against them to scratch,
well cleared paths through brush that the ground is not disturbed on , this is a good sign of a high traffic area for bears, their feet dont mar the ground but you will see a path where shoes have been.
most bears are more affraid of you then them. they will run away in MOST cases. if your going to take photos, turn off any "shutter effect" you have, and turn off the flash, it will startle them. get your photo and move on quickly. dont EVER approach cubs, and stay away in mating season.
hope this helps all you nature friendly people, and remember bear spray IS 10x more effective than your sidearm
other than that usually they will keep their distance.