Big ass bear sighting

[EL34]

Last night 4 of use were riding bikes up a gravel road that has a few campsites along the road.
We look over at one of the camp sites and see the biggest black bear we have ever seen in Pisgah.
He was staring right at us.
He was eating a campers food or garbage, we could not tell.
3 of us kept going and one guy stopped to snap this picture.
We see bears here all the time, but this one was huge.

[shooter]

Yup, that is a biggin!

It's always "bonus" when I get to see the big forest dwellers.

[EL34]

I should go back to that camp site and stand behind that same log for a size comparison

I go up that gravel road quite a bit

[shooter]

I'd put that one in the 250 to 300lb range!
I came across a wild boar in the Fl panhandle area at about that range!  when I described the "size" to the ranger he laughed n said, ah, that's just a small one 
was big enough for me, give me a black bear ANY day 

[tubenit]

That does looks like it's huge!  I would've kept riding too.   

My brother in law had a home in Hendersonville & would send us pictures of black bears in neighborhood.

Hope you stay safe and continue enjoying good riding!  Jeff

[kagliostro]

Wow what a beast

of wild I at most have seen wild boars, roe deer and foxes never a big animal like that
 
Franco

[silverfox]

The biggest bear sighting I've had occurred one night when I went out to see what the dogs were barking at around 2 in the morning. Sleepy and empty handed, wearing shorts I came upon what I can only describe as a big dark silhouette in the 300+ range, huffing at me from about 10 feet away. I quickly went back inside to ahh, and when I came out, it was gone. I've heard they huff when highly agitated. Lucky I guess.


silverfox.

[shooter]

I've heard they huff when highly agitated.

Same, I was told by a DNR guy that their good eye-sight is limited to ~ 20yrds but they know who's gonna win if you keep moving forward 

[PRR]

We have bear here. We know a bear poops in the woods. The neighbor had mother and cubs in his bird-feeder. The crazy-lady behind the IGA says she is friends with the bear. They are all over, our governor cuddles cubs:
https://i1.wp.com/multifiles.pressherald.com/uploads/sites/4/2019/03/AP19071662081410.jpg
(Gov is the blonde.)

I don't think our bear run near as big as yours.

[Ritchie200]

Doug,
Do you remember me asking if you ever ran into any bear on your night rides and you said no?  I'm sorry, I guess I jinxed you!  Man, that would scare the crap out of me.  If it's too big to kick or naturally run away, it's too big period.


Jim

[EL34]

Doug,
Do you remember me asking if you ever ran into any bear on your night rides and you said no?  I'm sorry, I guess I jinxed you!  Man, that would scare the crap out of me.  If it's too big to kick or naturally run away, it's too big period.


Jim

It was not night time :)

[EL34]

We stopped on Thursday and took a pic in the same place the bear was standing
Here's the two images scaled to pretty close the same

[jjasilli]

Are your familiar with the "rules" for a black bear encounter?  State game departments usually have advisories posted on the internet. 


The good news is that black bears in the lower 48 are usually shy and retiring towards people; they tend to run away.  This does not apply to grizzly bears, or to black bears in Canada or Alaska.  Even female black bears with cubs might growl and false charge, but not actually attack. 


The bad news is that when black bears do attack a person, the attack is very likely to be predatory.  I.e., the bear has already decided to eat you and is committed to the attack.  If a black bear approaches you and keeps coming, that is not a good sign. 


What not to do:  Don't panic;  Don't run away; IOW don't act like game.  Don't lock eyes with the bear.  Don't smile (show your teeth). Don't turn your back on the bear.  Don't keep bear spray inside a pack.


What to do:  Carry bear spray in a holster on your belt and learn how to use it (It is a last resort!).  Make yourself look big by standing tall & putting your arms over your head and waving them.  Yell and make noise.  If the bear still keeps coming, keep your eyes averted with the bear in your sight.  Slowly walk away sideways, not backwards.  Checkout professional advisories & youtube videos.


I'm not aware of advice specifically for bikers.  Also not aware of any attacks on a person while riding a bike.

[shooter]

specifically for bikers

not sure in black bears, but on a slight down-hill grade grizzlies can hit 35mhp!

the radio said Mi is experiencing an increase in black bears, up ~15%

Pam n I were in Yosemite, had a room at the lodge, we're out for a tourist hike, she's chattin with fishermen I'm 20yrs ahead crossing a bridge, at the apex I look down to find 2 cubs that are frolicking my way, Momma close behind, watching ME!!!, I freeze, make big, sloowly and move back.  The 3 behind me are laughing at my appearance then the cubs fly by, mom BARKS, they skid n retreat, everyone's happy!
well except Pam, she couldn't believe I didn't take a pic 

[Ritchie200]

You shouldn't have told her where the life insurance policy was.....

Jim