[buzzbaiter]

Being 100% shore guy and somebody who likes to fish alone miles from crowds, I see them quite a bit. Some scary moments along the way both with bears following me or encounters with moms & cubs. I do think about it more than I used to but it doesn't stop me other than maybe not as many dawn/dusk trips which is when bears are most active(crepuscular) or avoiding high forage areas like blueberry bushes along lakes & streams at that time of year. Most times they are more afraid of you and they'll run off. Other times they are either curious or territorial and will come closer. All I know is - and I know it goes against instinct - is DON"T RUN. Slowly back away, avoid staring and you should be fine. Once they are out of sight, then get to safety quickly. Most "wild" bears - i.e ones not used to people - will avoid you. I've bumped into 500-600 lbers on trails that ran from me which I found funny. I'm the one standing there pee running down my leg yet they run away. lol If they get too close, then you go into self preservation mode where you basically do everything you can - scream, yell, jump, clap, etc. - to avoid being hurt. I would suggest safety in numbers and always carry a whistle or air horn. They hate noise.

U can also avoid high bear density areas. DWGNRA, Worthington, Norvin Green, AS Hewitt & Stokes Forests, Swartswood & High Pt State parks are the highest pop areas as well as areas around the mt areas of eastern Sussex(Sparta)/northern Morris(Jefferson) and western Passaic(West Milford). Those areas are loaded.