I was just about to comment about my dear of bumping into a grizzly bear while hiking there, but apparently “only” black bears live on Vancouver Island. That would still keep me away and I always wonder if I’m just way too cautious or if the likelihood of running into a bear is so low that it’s worth it?
They're pretty docile. Think of them as very big raccoons, not small grizzlies. The primary thing that brings the bravest black bears into close contact with humans is their love of untended food, but they're skittish and will scamper the moment someone hollers at them.
Personally, I worry more about cougars and wolves.
Cougars and wolves will generally leave people alone, but will be very interested in your pets. Wolves may try to lure dogs out of the yard, but kill them as competition, while cougars may take an unleashed dog on a bush walk.
We have both where I live, but I don't usually worry too much about off-leash trail walks during the day. Night time though, I just do leashed up road walks.
Yes, the risk is very, very low. Probably in the same ballpark as being struck by lightning. (Though I do know someone who was stalked by a cougar while they were hiking alone. So there's at least something to feel nervous about.)
FYI, Vancouver Island has the highest population density of cougars in the world. This includes mountain lions, pumas, panthers, etc, all the same big cat by other names. They are so elusive though. I lived on the Island for nearly six years, during which time I mountaineered and hiked all over the place, and never saw one. Saw lots of black bears though.
Black bears have killed 67 people in North America since 1900, so I think statistically the risk is very low [1].
I have come across black bears on several occasions while hiking in Yosemite and Sequoia national park. They have never expressed the slightest bit of interest in me. Give them plenty of space, make plenty of noise, and eventually they will wander away.
I have hiked a popular ridgeline hike in the Jasper National Park area every year for the last 3 years, and I am 3/3 for grizzly sightings while on trail. The first was the scariest, we came around a bend and startled a cub with momma bear a ways off behind. Thankfully cub scurried off, so mom followed. Had we been more diligent with making noise, I’m sure the encounter wouldn’t have even happened.
The other 2 times, the bears were feeding on berries in fields near the trail. We made lots of noise, had spray on hand, but the bear just looked at us then kept eating; we made a wide arc around and carried on.
Definitely hair-raising, but not so terrifying that I’m scared away from hiking the area. They’re less skittish than black bears but don’t like people any less.
There must be tens of thousands of black bear encounters (where human and bear are mutually aware of each other) in the U.S. every year, and I think less than one attack per year on average. It's not uncommon to see videos of bears wandering around in suburban back yards.
I run into black bears a couple of times a year mountain biking in the PNW, I usually just see their back as they run away. I think it is extremely unlikely to be attacked by one. Grizzlies are a bit different certainly.
Yeah, I've only come face to face with a grizzly once, black bear a few times a year over decades in the bush. Grizzly with cubs or on its kill is a serious thing, bear spray is a must.
