Seeing a black bear is not an uncommon occurrence in the Shenandoah Valley. As long as you see the bruin and it walks calmly out of sight, count yourself richer for the experience. But if you enter bear territory overnight, or away from roads, care is required to make sure such an encounter goes smoothly and safely.

Bears are large, potentially dangerous animals. Here are some more tips on avoiding trouble with these animals that mostly want to just be left alone.

Taking care of game & fish you harvest

Field dress animals and clean fish far from your campsite. Be cautious approaching a game animal you left overnight. Hang deer high in trees, away from the sleeping area on extended hunts.

One time I bagged a doe late in the day. It was only about 150 yards from my house, so I field dressed the deer and left it overnight to cool down and drain, thinking it would be easier to retrieve in the morning. At daybreak the next day when I went to get the animal, the doe was nowhere to be found.

Fresh large bear tracks told the story of what happened. The animal had picked up the doe in its jaws and walked away with it, like a bird dog carrying a quail. There were no drag marks where the vegetation had been bent over as the deer was dragged away — just pad impressions where the bear trudged off with the doe in its mouth to find a quieter spot to consume its meal.

My slipup was one of the most common causes of bear troubles, at home or when camping out: providing them food, whether intentionally or not. Don’t leave potential food where a bear can see, smell or stumble upon it. Feeding bears is illegal in Virginia.

Bird feeders should not be used in spring or at least taken in at night. Same goes for pet food. Farm grains and dog food should not be stored where a bear can gain access to them. Keep them in a tightly locked shed or in the house.

Don’t store garbage or food waste in an outside container, unless it’s bear-proof. If you experience a bear problem, the local warden or biologist can provide advice, or you can call the Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 855-571-9003.

Tips for dealing with bear encounters

If you’re walking towards a hunting or fishing spot and stumble upon a bear, back off and take a different route. Most frightening bear encounters can be avoided with a bit of caution and respect for these marvelous wild animals — animals that really don’t want a confrontation any more than we do.

As a safety precaution if you feel it will give you peace of mind, carry a can of pepper spray for that rare instance when a bear is startled at close range and approaches aggressively.

If you come upon a bear that acts aggressively, talk to it firmly in a calm voice while backing up. Do not run. Fight back hard in the very rare instance when a bear comes towards you.

If a bear appears aggressive, chances are you’re witnessing a “bluff” charge where the animal runs a few feet to make you back off, then stops. This is often a female urging you to stay away from her nearby cubs. Jaw popping is another behavior that can look threatening but is not. Bears do this when they are nervous or curious, not aggressive.

Many bear encounters take place near the home, rather than on a fishing, hiking or hunting trip. These often involve yearling or 2-year old male bears exploring new territory. Try not to tempt them with accessible trash cans, pet food, or bird feeders left out at night. Use loud bells, horns, paintballs, or simply yell to discourage bears from approaching too close to your house. A metal pot banged with a large metal spoon has worked for me numerous times.

Positive encounters

Of course, not all bear-human interactions have a scary element. Usually they are simply wonderful opportunities to observe Virginia’s wildest mammal in the flesh. Seeing these majestic animals with their sleek black fur rippling in the afternoon sunlight is one of the greatest thrills wildlife lovers can experience.

As residents of Shenandoah County, my wife Becky and I see bears almost every year strolling through our property or searching for food or a mate. We relish each sighting. As for the bears, they usually glance at us with a bored look and continue on their way. Behave respectfully towards any bears you encounter, and chances are those animals will behave respectful towards you…meaning ignore you!