College Student Killed in Rare Bear Attack While Hiking in NJ

[H2O Man]

9. Very sad.

Even for those of us who have grown up out "in the sticks," encountering a bear always gets your heart beating fast. But there isn't any way to out-run one (unless you car is 12 feet away). In fact, pre-1492, the people of the northeast learned how to pace themselves for long runs on the woodland trails, by studying bears -- they take a unique approach to trotting up a hill, and running down it, that increases endurance.

There is generally more risk in encountering a mother bear with cubs, in the spring and early summer, for obvious reasons. But there are a few spots where locals don't tread in the early fall, because adult bears aren't much friendly, or as likely to turn in the opposite direction if they are aware of a human coming their way.