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While it is true that the bears of the Smokies, as a general rule, are used to sharing space with humans and are adept at avoiding encounters with humans altogether, it should never be assumed that they are unlike black bears elsewhere. Black bears in less populated regions of the United States and Canada have been known to occasionally stalk humans as prey, albeit rarely. I'm no bear expert, and I don't claim to be one, but my advice as a person who feels comfortable in bear country would be to respect bears, allow them space, and know how to recognize a bear's behavior to protect yourself in the event of an encounter.
I recently came across a very readable, succinct, affordable book about bear behavior by Dave Smith entitled Backcountry Bear Basics: the Definitive Guide to Avoiding Unpleasant Encounters. In less than 100 pages, Smith details the following:
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