BY DANNY BLEVINS

STAR CORRESPONDENT

I remember it was around dusk several years ago when I was ginseng hunting in the East Tennessee mountains. I had spooked a deer when I walked into a hollow but did not pay her any attention because I was concentrating on finding ginseng.

I found a patch of ginseng, and I got down on my knees to dig it when I heard a stick snap. I thought the deer had come back, but I was surprised to see a 300-pound bear walking on a game trail right above me.

I froze. Silently, I unbuttoned the handgun I always carry in the mountains and hoped I would not have to make a shot.

The bear walked toward me then turned and walked up a hill and out of the hollow. He had never seen me and did not even know I was there.

Then I noticed something. I was shaking from my head to my toes. It had been a close call.

As spring and summer comes to East Tennessee, more and more people are venturing into the outdoors. We fish, hike, camp and enjoy all that nature has to offer.

The more you are in the woods, however, the more likely it is that you will come into contact with East Tennessee’s apex predator – the black bear.

The bear population today in East Tennessee is at a record high. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has worked diligently to grow the population through sound management practices and regulated hunting areas, and because of this, we can say we have the largest bear population since the frontier days.

But what can you do if you encounter a bear? What if you are hiking and see a bear on the trail in front of you?

What can you do to protect yourself

from an attack?

We have to remember that 95% of bears are as afraid of you as you are of them. Most bears will avoid you whenever they encounter you.

That bear you saw as you are hiking will probably see you and run in the other direction.

But there is always a chance the bear will not. What can you do?

First, you have to remember that a black bear does not see well. They have very good hearing and an excellent sense of smell, but they do not see well.

Use this information first to avoid the bear. In the above story, the bear did not know I was there because he did not smell me, and he did not hear me.

That is why he went on his way. He simply did not know I was there.

Second, try to anticipate when you may be in bear country and prepare for it. I choose to carry a handgun when and where I legally can, but there are other options.

Take a whistle with you as you hike and blow that whistle occasionally as you walk. Make noise as you walk.

Talk or sing so every bear within hearing distance will know you are there. Most of the time they will avoid you if you do this.

Also, pick up a bottle of bear spray. This is a non-lethal way to repel any bear, and some of the sprays on the market today will reach 30 feet or more, and they are very effective.

Third, get away from the bear. If you are in bear country and see a bear, back away and leave the area and the bear to his business.

Remember, do not run away from the bear. A black bear can run up to 30 miles an hour. You cannot outrun a black bear.

Plus, in the bears world, only prey runs. If you run, it could cause the predator instinct in the bear to run after you.

Finally, if you encounter a bear and he will not let you back away, stand your ground.

DO NOT PLAY DEAD! This little trick of playing dead may work with grizzlies, but it will not work with a black bear. If you play dead, the bear may see you as food and try to eat you.

Instead of playing dead during a black bear attack, fight back. Get on a rock to make yourself bigger, use rocks and throw them at the bear, and yell at the bear.

Fight with anything you have because your life may depend on it. Also, remember it will do no good to climb a tree. Black bears can climb trees better than you.

The conclusion is simply pay attention in bear country and do not panic if you encounter one of these magnificent creatures.

If you do this, you probably will not get into trouble.

I am glad the black bears are there for us to see. The mountains would not be the same without them, but give them the respect they deserve.

They have earned it.