Sorry, but you’ve got it completely backwards. If it’s black, fight back is because you have a chance of at least getting out alive and because black bears typically aren’t predatory. They’re straight up docile compared to grizzlies and most black bears will steer clear of humans.

Grizzlies on the other hand you absolutely don’t mess with. You wouldn’t be able to out fight them for starters. And so you should just play dead and cover your midsection.

I wonder if you’re out and about in this region much? Black bears are EVERYWHERE and as long as you don’t threaten their cubs or surprise them at a close distance, they’re too busy munching on insects and berries to bother people.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t be careful, but none of these articles (the Olympian ones are behind a paywall) suggest what you mentioned in your original comment. Yes, bears who frequent places where humans give them food can be less intimidated by humans. But, they’re not actively hunting out humans to eat, which is what you said.

I don’t have the exact figures on hand, but the number of serious injuries from bears in the last century is insanely low. And many if not most of those were caused by human negligence.

First I’ve ever heard this. You sure? Black bears generally scramble at the sound of any humans coming.