Black Bear?

Does anyone here know much about habits of Black Bear and/or have photo tips?

I'm headed to an area later on today that supposedly has quite a population of black bear and have had very little experience with the creatures. I would like to (at some point not necessarily today, this is more of a recon mission) photograph black bear.

Would it be advantageous to set up near water or in denser forest near a food source?

Don't be the food source! Cant wait to see the photo's!

Take doughnuts and set up a blind.

And a picky-nick basket!

Ha ha, I'm not sure about bringing a food source just yet, but I am CERTAIN that I do not want to be the food source. From everything I've read/heard, I think I'll be more than safe.

I did read that bears that have wandered into populated areas are typically more adjusted to humans (makes sense to me). This area I am going to has become sort of a "dumping grounds" for caught bear lately so there may be some people friendly bear around. However I've also heard that when the DEC drops them off they shoot them in the behind with rubber buckshot to send the message "humans=pain and annoyance". Some days I get the feeling I've been shot with the same buckshot!!

Just take a bath in fish oil, sit in the weeds and wait. They'll come. :D

The ones that are used to humans are the most dangerous, dumpy. Use your smarts and be safe! Will you be with someone?

One of the birding sites I went to lately has sign that says ( as much as I can remember now) : "Bear Area. The black bears are hear to eat the berries. Make noise so that they know you're nearby." Some say 99% of the time if you wave your hands like crazy and make nose, they'd leave. I don't know. I ended up walking with a group of four birders instead of all by my lonesome that day. And a couple of weeks ago, black bears were there.

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Originally Posted by mn shutterbug

Just take a bath in fish oil, sit in the weeds and wait. They'll come. :D

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That's the same technique I use to meet women.

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Originally Posted by Frog

The ones that are used to humans are the most dangerous, dumpy. Use your smarts and be safe! Will you be with someone?

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So I've heard, my plan is to stay hidden and avoid close encounters/visual recognition (less than say 10 feet) at all costs as well as the usual precautions, not running, speaking in a firm voice and so on.

I went to scope the area yesterday with another person and we didn't see any bears, but did find tracks right on one of the main hiking trails. I'm pretty sure we were making too much noise to see anything. I'm planning on buying a blind and setting it up in an area where we saw signs of activity.

All of my encounters with black bears have been from a car, so I'm not sure I will be of much help. Setting up a blind is a good idea. I would also consider a tree stand if possible. If not, perhaps finding a tree to climb to get a good, safe vantage point. Pepper spray is an option if you are concerned about a close encounter. I have seen a lot of people carrying it when hiking in bear country out west.


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You need to locate a female with cubs for your best chances at shooting bears. The myths about bears being aggressive are not true in my opinion, but use common sense and stay much farther away than 50 feet in the open. Bears can smell far better than they see and will smell you, before you see them .

If one stands up and looks like it's trying to get you.... it's mearly trying to figure out what you are usually. Don't smell like food, nor bring any with you.