Encountering bears in National parks across the U.S.

 I think if you are going to go to a National Park where there are Bears or Buffalo you need to be prepared for this because many are not.

I think if you think of bears sort of like giant dogs that can and do if something smells like food there rip a door (EASILY) off your car or truck even if is is closed. This doesn't matter whether this is a black bear or Grizzly by the way. They both can do this.

For example, I have been in a camping ground nearby the trail that leads up to Vernal and California Nevada Falls and the wire up to Half Dome and during the night a black bear literally tore a cabover camper in two to get at something that smelled like food. I was in a tent that night with my family and watched the shadow of the bear go by. I had heard screaming and then people beating on pans with spoons which usually will drive a bear away without harming or killing anyone or maiming anyone. So, remember this folks at least black bears in Yosemite will leave if you bang on a pot with a metal spoon loudly because they don't like the noise in their ears because they are pretty much like big wild dogs in their behavior.

So, as I went after that bear walked by I went to see if I could help anyone and the cabover camper was completely torn in two with a bunch of scared and disheveled people wondering where they were going to sleep the rest of the night that night.

So, if you encounter a bear give them your food if that is what they want because your life isn't worth the food they want. Just because you want bacon and eggs tomorrow morning it's better to let that all go and stay alive instead.

Also, buffaloes, Moose and elk should not be underestimated too especially if they are females with babies or males in mating season (often September or October some places) but other months maybe in different states than California.

The most likely animal to kill you in the U.S. by the way is a buffalo not a bear. Bear are very reclusive. They don't want to see you at all unless they are a grizzly bear defending their territory from you. Then they are dangerous or even fatal potentially.

However, a buffalo is in a herd and won't shy away from you. You have to remember that buffalo herds have survived mountain lions, Bears, Wolves and everything else you can imagine for hundreds of thousands of years. If you underestimate a herd creature like this you do so at your own peril.

If you confront a bull or a cow with a baby they will knock you down and stomp on your chest and head until you are dead. So, run away, get into your car or truck, climb a tree or do whatever you can to stay alive so you aren't gored or crushed under their hooves, especially places like Yellowstone national Park.