The summer has come to an end, and we are now entering the fall. 

The fall season is a time of extreme activity for black bears, as they are trying to eat as much as possible to build their fat reserves for hibernation. In the next couple months, particularly in September, it is likely we will be seeing far more black bears than we would during the rest of the year. While black bears are not inherently aggressive, they have the potential to be dangerous when feeling threatened, so it is more important now than ever to be mindful of your actions while in bear territory.

During these fall months, I would strongly advise everyone moving through bear territory to carry tools such as bear bells or bear spray, and/or travel in groups. In the event that you are charged at by a black bear, remember that running away is a poor course of action, as the bear will interpret that as a sign of weakness and fear, and may very well chase after you. This can only end poorly, due to the fact that black bears can run at speeds up to 56 km/h (35 m/h); far faster than any human. Instead, stand strong where you are, try to look big and frightening, and yell as loud as you can.

This is a time of great distress for both humans and bears, and it is also unfortunately when bear executions are at their peak. If we work together, we can stop this, and keep both bears and humans safe from each other.