This fall, black bears enter hyperphagia, chasing ~20,000\u201324,000 calories\/day<\/b> and stretching activity into dusk and dark. If your snacks are handy at the wrong hour, that urgency can turn your pack into bait\u2014with consequences for you and the bear.<\/p>\nExpect black bears in hyperphagia 20,000 calories now<\/h2>\n
In September\u2013November, black bears shift into a feeding sprint, often active up to 20 hours\/day<\/b> and ranging farther for easy calories. Wildlife agencies note that August\u2013October<\/b> drive a majority of conflict reports when food scents cue bears to people. Your timing and food handling now carry outsized weight on crowded trails.<\/p>\nWhy dayhikers relax while trail runners face dusk danger<\/h2>\n
Midday walkers on popular loops typically create noise and visibility, while runners at dawn\/dusk<\/b> move quietly through blind corners and berry patches where bears feed. Parents with kids in carriers gain peace by choosing busier hours; solo runners face higher surprise-encounter risk on narrow singletrack.<\/p>\n \u201cResearch shows that bears prefer natural sources of food. But they will seek out sources of human-provided food if it\u2019s available which can become dangerous to humans,\u201d \u2014 Brad Banulis, Senior Wildlife Biologist, Colorado Parks and Wildlife.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Action beats bravado: stow all food, trash, and scented items the moment you stop, and cook away from your tent or car. Make noise on blind corners, leash dogs, and carry bear spray where legal\u2014front strap, safety on.<\/p>\n What should you do if a bear approaches or touches your car? Honk and slowly drive away!<\/p>\n Help us keep wildlife wild and protect their safety and yours. View more of our park safety tips: https:\/\/t.co\/CVZtDlQZrg<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/fs0QsvSIlo<\/a><\/p>\n — Yellowstone National Park (@YellowstoneNPS) June 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nSecure food before Oct 31 as black bears roam longer<\/h2>\n
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\n Step<\/th>\n Detail<\/th>\n Deadline<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1<\/td>\n Move snacks into odor-resistant bag; keep pack closed between bites<\/td>\n Today<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2<\/td>\n Shift workouts away from dusk\/dawn; choose busier trails<\/td>\n Within 7 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 3<\/td>\n Practice quick food storage at every stop; no crumbs left behind<\/td>\n Every outing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 4<\/td>\n For overnights, cook 100+ ft from sleeping area; store food properly<\/td>\n By Oct 31, 2025<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n