[jml7c5]

They're pretty docile. Think of them as very big raccoons, not small grizzlies. The primary thing that brings the bravest black bears into close contact with humans is their love of untended food, but they're skittish and will scamper the moment someone hollers at them.

Personally, I worry more about cougars and wolves.

[tlavoie]

Cougars and wolves will generally leave people alone, but will be very interested in your pets. Wolves may try to lure dogs out of the yard, but kill them as competition, while cougars may take an unleashed dog on a bush walk.

We have both where I live, but I don't usually worry too much about off-leash trail walks during the day. Night time though, I just do leashed up road walks.

[jml7c5]

Yes, the risk is very, very low. Probably in the same ballpark as being struck by lightning. (Though I do know someone who was stalked by a cougar while they were hiking alone. So there's at least something to feel nervous about.)

[tlavoie]

Oh, absolutely. And just knowing that despite almost never seeing one, you know they see you.

I've been to a talk by a local guy who survived an attack by a young grizzly. The feeling of pure helplessness that he expressed was... something.

[cgh]

FYI, Vancouver Island has the highest population density of cougars in the world. This includes mountain lions, pumas, panthers, etc, all the same big cat by other names. They are so elusive though. I lived on the Island for nearly six years, during which time I mountaineered and hiked all over the place, and never saw one. Saw lots of black bears though.

[Fricken]

There has been a total of 126 cougar attacks, 27 of which were fatal in North America in the last 100 years. I wouldn't worry too much.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_cougar_attacks...