Communicating With Bears: Black Bears: Thanks! and some additions...

» JerryBear - Thanks! and some additions...

Thank you very much for your illustrative observations!
I would like to add a few more details.
First, it is better to let bears approach you than you approach them. However scared you are of them, they are usually still more scared of you.
Second, if you want to observe bears from fairly close range, it is better ti crouch or sit down. They find this reassuring. Bears sometimes rise up on two legs to be intimidating, but usually it is to get a better view of things. It is a sign of curiousity.

Bears also make a kind of crooning noise when two or more are feeding in close quarters. It seems to help establish territoriality. If you have several together, they will each try to croon on a different note. Adult bears tend to make various blowing sounds rather than use their vocal cords, but when they do the sound is very resonant and can be rather musical.
I know of only one observation of a black bear doing the high-stepping, strutting "Grizzly Victory Dance", but since it was a large male doing it after smelling the tracks of a female in heat, it is a possible black bear behavior.
Finally, mama bears tend to send their cubs up into a tree with a "Woof! " sound or by drumming on the tree trunk with their paws. To call them back down, they make this deep "clunking" sound from way down their throats. When bears are being relaxed and friendly with each other, they sometimes make companionable grunty noises. A stronger, sharper grunting may indicate a mama bear's concern for a developing situation.
I would appreciate anyone here writing about any sounds they have heard bears make.
Appreciatively,
JerryBear

-- posted by JerryBear