[jyl]

Black bears are not a threat to humans who aren't provoking or threatening them . . . But there are exceptions. A friend of mine was backpacking with his wife in the Sierras, they encountered a bear on the trail, they didn't do anything provoking (very experienced outdoors people), the bear came at my friend and swiped at his crotch, leaving a large, deep and profusely bloody wound just south of his testicles. He had to hike out 10 miles, his wife had to carry both packs.