I keep black bears at a distance in northern Minnesota by singing 
fairly loudly and sometimes clapping my hands.  The bears don't take 
that as a threat, but they hear or see me and walk away.  (Funny, my 
cats feel that way about my singing ability, too.)

This may not be real practical for birding, but then you don't have 
to do it constantly.

Keeping really quiet in the woods when there are bears around is 
generally not a good idea because the last thing you want to do is 
surprise a bear, especially one with cubs.

---------------------------------
June Tveekrem
Columbia, Howard Co, MD
tweekiebird AT toadmail DOT com


Gerald & Laura Tarbell wrote:

>     On another note, the MOS conference this year will be held in bear
> country. Be careful how you speak to them. They don't like anything that
> sounds like a growl or threatening voice. I already knew this, but I made
> that mistake yesterday in Shenandoah Park. I'm not sure exactly what I said,
> intending to just let them know I was there and urge them to move on. I
> think it was something like "AH, come on!"
>     For the first time in my life I had a bear come right at me. I was tired
> after  along day fishing and was in no shape to deal with it but I scrambled
> into some underbrush to find a place to hide and pray. From about twenty
> feet away I saw the bear finally turn and run. Apparently he doesn't like
> chicken.
>     I clearly made a mistake - probably the tone of my voice. Up until now
> all of the bears have run from me. Maybe I'm looking less threatening in my
> old age. Don't let it happen to you. Just stay back and shut up. If they see
> you, they'll run.