This was last week in Jasper, AB. Wife and I were riding trail #13 into Jasper very near town. We were speaking loudly, riding close together, and going slower than we would normally to be "bear aware". I had bear spray on my hip. We came down a small hill and around a corner and ran into this fella.

First, I understand that pulling out my phone was a total bonehead move. I would not make that error again. We must have done enough "right" to live to talk about it. But I feel we definitely made some mistakes.

• As loud as we were I am sure the bear knew we were there, however he didn't really ever look at us until we starting our retreat.
• To us it looked as if he was rooting around pulling up grass while swinging his head side to side, mostly ignoring us.
• We stopped, as we had read that while riding a bike it was the best move so as not to trigger a prey response.
• After we stopped and observed the bear we did not address it, but were not using hushed tones when speaking to each other.
• We stopped for maybe 20 seconds, during that time the bear seemed to "notice" us more.

Mistakes:

• Pulling out my phone.
• We should have completely dismounted our bikes and put them between the bear and ourselves.
• I should have made ready my bear spray.
• I should have slowly walked away while facing the bear rather than very slowly riding away essentially with our backs turned.

This is a photo I snapped over my shoulder as we were riding away from the bear.

Questions for folks that know bear activity:

• What should have we done better?
• Should have we reported this encounter?
• Was the bear showing agitation in the video with the head swaying?
• How common is an encounter like this one?

https://preview.redd.it/qozz356ryy8d1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3294306e3189eeefa1526ab7fb6807866e7465f4

https://preview.redd.it/9y9hc0rpyy8d1.png?width=1170&format=png&auto=webp&s=8aabe61375b8bdc692d292f1aad5190420ae7e3f

Camping in RMNP and went to look for sticks for the fire, found this about 15 feet away from our site

Found beside a little stream on my nj property- thanks for any info!

Adorable baby bear outside out window with mama nearby 🥰🥰

Ski Mtn Rd, Gatlinburg

We’ve seen 4 black bears near our cabin since yesterday afternoon! A juvenile surprised me while I was sitting in the hot tub this morning and I unfortunately did not have my phone nearby.

He looks quite young but he's been hanging around this deer carcass for hours and we haven't seen any sign of mom.

South Louisiana. Is this bear scat? Adult male hand for reference.

Photo taken on Canon EOS Rebel T7 by me and edited by me, at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI.