A Few Things,I Take With Black Bears In Mind.

[Bond,James Bond]

 I see Black Bears all too often in North New Jersey  . A few inexpensive things,I take out with me is a full container of CAYENNE PEPPER. Pennies on the Dollar. On seeing a more then curious Black Bear ,I Dump some Cayenne Pepper on my Hiking Shoes and Throw some in the Air well away from me.

   The 2nd works Day or Night. Against People or Beast.

  The overlooked Strobe Setting in a good waterproof Flashlight. Best to carry one Flashlight for the Trail and another one set at Strobe Setting.

Many years back,I found out that Black Bears hate the smell of Insect Repellent  loaded with DEET. Hiking on down from the Forest Fire Tower in Sterling  Forest a Big Black Bear grunted and bolted in a full Sprint up the trail,I just walked down from. I was covered in insect repellent. 

  A few other things everyone knows about. A Good Knife- 100% of the time. A Whistle also.

  Scouting starts soon!

[Buck154]

Hey Black Bears need to eat too

[jumpthestring]

Good  post, I always carry a knife and a whistle. thought about investing in some bear spray. 

[Roon]

I don't see any keys 

[nmc02]

8 minutes ago, Roon said:

I don't see any keys 

You don't need to bring anything....they go away from you

[NotJust22s]

I live in bear country and none of that is necessary. If they see you or smell you their gone. If you get a black bear that still keeping coming after he see and smells you then nothing is going to save you.

[Rusty]

12 minutes ago, nmc02 said:

You don't need to bring anything....they go away from you

Not if you call them in.

My daughter and I were sitting against a tree together turkey hunting and a bear walked by 150 yards out.  I gave a couple of soft yelps and the bear stopped and looked our way.  A couple of clucks and yelps mixed together got him coming in.  Halfway in he started to go off course so I called some more and got him back on track.   At 20 yards he stops and is looking all around trying to find the turkeys, and my daughter looks at me, shakes her head, and says “You’re such an idiot”!   

[Remember November]

26 minutes ago, NotJust22s said:

I live in bear country and none of that is necessary. If they see you or smell you their gone. If you get a black bear that still keeping coming after he see and smells you then nothing is going to save you.

So you’re saying I should cancel my case of cayenne pepper from Costco? 

[Rusty]

6 minutes ago, Remember November said:

So you’re saying I should cancel my case of cayenne pepper from Costco? 

No, bears enjoy spicy food.  

[Bond,James Bond]

42 minutes ago, NotJust22s said:

I live in bear country and none of that is necessary. If they see you or smell you their gone. If you get a black bear that still keeping coming after he see and smells you then nothing is going to save you.

Don't totally agree. Been Hiking and Hunting North Jersey for 30+ years. A little experience  here also.

[Bond,James Bond]

34 minutes ago, Rusty said:

Not if you call them in.

My daughter and I were sitting against a tree together turkey hunting and a bear walked by 150 yards out.  I gave a couple of soft yelps and the bear stopped and looked our way.  A couple of clucks and yelps mixed together got him coming in.  Halfway in he started to go off course so I called some more and got him back on track.   At 20 yards he stops and is looking all around trying to find the turkeys, and my daughter looks at me, shakes her head, and says “You’re such an idiot”!   

  Definitely! I have called Black Bears in. In both NY + NJ. Could have Killed 2 of them. 

   I don't exactly  look like Richard Gere so they backtracked .

[Gobblengrunt]

I’ve had literally thousands of bears over my lifetime within a few yards of me, I hike 5-10 miles everyday and starting in about a month, I will see bear everyday (usually multiple) til about mid November.  I really don’t see anything but bear spray (or a gun) helping you in that one a million chance of them attacking you.  99.99% of the time, they go on their way.  If a black bear actually attacks you, you’re most likely finished.  No karate, bullshit knife skills, boxing experience, etc. is going to save you.  Stand your ground, let them know your presence and they will go on about their day

[Bond,James Bond]

Just heard some Gobbling at 7.49am!  At least 2 Together. 

[gregtpal]

Just recently started carrying bear spray when hunting pa.  Don't bother with it in pork roll country.

[kohunter]

1 hour ago, NotJust22s said:

I live in bear country and none of that is necessary. If they see you or smell you their gone. If you get a black bear that still keeping coming after he see and smells you then nothing is going to save you.

Remember, you don't have to outrun the bear. Just whoever you're with. Hunt with a fat guy.