Encounter a Maine Bear? National Park Service Says ‘Never Push a Slower Friend Down’ to Get Away
Well, I better get a plan B then.
Even the National Park Service has a sense of humor.
So, dump that plan. But what can you do if you run into a bear? I mean, we're in Maine - we have a lot of bears.
This adorable bear is probably not in Maine. We have black bears. No, not UMaine Black Bears, but actual big ol' bears, and this time of year with spring just around the corner, they start to come out and they are hungry. If you do ever see a bear, Wild Life Help has a very important warning,
If you are approached by an aggressive bear avoid direct eye contact, speak in a soft, calm voice and slowly back away from the bear. These actions often will help appease the bear. The bear may slap the ground, huff, blow, and chomp its teeth or make a bluff charge to let you know it feels threatened and wants space. Do not run or turn your back to the bear. Bears can outrun, out-swim and out-climb you.
That is the black bear, the bear you would come across in Maine. According to Maine.gov, the black bear is the smallest of the three species of bears here in the US, (black, brown/grizzly, and polar). The black bear is also in more states than any other bear and is the only one you'll find in the eastern United States. Here in Maine, you can find black bears in almost every part of Maine but they are most common in northern and eastern Maine. But you leave a trash can out or a bird feeder, and you may find cool security footage of a bear trying to get to that food.
So heed the advice of the National Park Service and don't push your slow friend down to get away from a bear. Just back up slowly, keep a calm tone, and THEN when you are in your car safe and sound scream like a little girl.