Bear Attack Statistics 2026: North America Facts

Researchers recorded 92 brown or grizzly bear attacks and 85 black bear attacks in North America from 1955 to 2014, according to a study in Scientific Reports. A separate case series in The Journal of Wildlife Management counted at least 63 people killed by non-captive black bears in 59 incidents from 1900 to 2009. No agency publishes a single annual count of bear attacks for the continent.

Bear Attack Statistics (2026): 40+ Data Points on North America attack counts, Yellowstone risk rates, and Bear spray and firearms

We aggregated data from Scientific Reports, The Journal of Wildlife Management, the National Park Service, and other primary sources.

Key Takeaways

5,440From 1950 to 2019, a study collected 5,440 reported large carnivore attacks on humans worldwide, excluding attacks by rabid animals.PLOS Biology, 1950-2019
9%About 9% of reported ursid attacks on humans were fatal, compared with 65% for felids and 49% for canids.PLOS Biology, 1950-2019
45%Among cases with known scenario, involuntary sudden encounters 45%, defensive reactions by females with cubs 18%, and food-related interactions 16% were the main ursid attack triggers.PLOS Biology, 1950-2019
210A study analyzed 210 agency-confirmed, non-fatal black bear attacks in the 48 conterminous United States from 2000 to 2017.Human-Wildlife Interactions, 2000 to 2017
74%In 74% of cases, there were reports of property damage by bears or bears getting a food-reward in the area prior to the attack.Human-Wildlife Interactions, 2000 to 2017
1 in 26.2MFrom 1872 to 2018, 1 fatality per 26.2 million park visits was the grizzly bear fatality risk in Yellowstone National Park.Human-Wildlife Interactions, 1872 to 2018
1 in 59.5MIn 2018, 1 in 59.5 million visits was the risk of bear attack during front-country recreation in Yellowstone National Park.National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, 2018
269A study reviewed 269 incidents of bear-human conflict involving firearms in Alaska.The Journal of Wildlife Management, 2012
76%A 76% success rate was associated with long guns in stopping aggressive bears.The Journal of Wildlife Management, 2012
63At least 63 people were killed in 59 incidents by non-captive black bears from 1900 to 2009.The Journal of Wildlife Management, 1900-2009

Where Have Bears Killed People in North America?

Fatal attacks by wild bears in the US and Canada, by date, place, species and activity. Source: Wikipedia, List of fatal bear attacks in North America (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Date	Place	Species	Activity	Deaths
November 2026	Bella Coola, British Columbia	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	2
July 2026	La Ronge, Saskatchewan	Black bear	At home or a cabin	2
May 2026	Points North, Saskatchewan	Black bear	Working outdoors	1
May 2026	Glacier National Park, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
October 2025	Newton County, Arkansas	Black bear	Camping	1
October 2025	Regional District of East Kootenay, British Columbia	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
September 2025	Franklin County, Arkansas	Black bear	Working outdoors	1
May 2025	Collier County, Florida	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
October 2024	Sitka, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
August 2024	Brevoort Island, Nunavut	Polar bear	Working outdoors	1
July 2024	Shamattawa First Nation, Manitoba	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
November 2023	Downieville, California	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
September 2023	Red Deer River Valley, Banff National Park, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	2
July 2023	West Yellowstone, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
June 2023	Groom Creek, Arizona	Black bear	Camping	1
January 2023	Wales, Alaska	Polar bear	Other or unknown	2
May 2022	Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Working outdoors	1
March 2022	Six Mile Creek, Park County, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
July 2021	Swan Hills, Alberta	Black bear	Working outdoors	1
July 2021	Ovando, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
May 2021	Water Valley, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
May 2021	Waiparous, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
April 2021	Durango, Colorado	Black bear	Hiking or walking	1
April 2021	West Yellowstone, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Fishing	1
September 2020	Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina	Black bear	Camping	1
September 2020	Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
August 2020	Buffalo Narrows, Saskatchewan	Black bear	Camping	1
July 2020	Red Lake, Ontario	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
July 2020	Hope, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Working outdoors	1
September 2019	Red Pine Island, Ontario	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
August 2019	Tulita, Northwest Territories	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
November 2018	Einarson Lake, Yukon	Brown bear / grizzly	At home or a cabin	2
October 2018	Admiralty Island, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Working outdoors	1
September 2018	Teton Wilderness, Wyoming	Brown bear / grizzly	Working outdoors	1
August 2018	Lyon Inlet, Nunavut	Polar bear	Other or unknown	1
July 2018	Sentry Island, Nunavut	Polar bear	Other or unknown	1
June 2018	Eagle River, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
June 2017	Pogo mine, Alaska	Black bear	Working outdoors	1
June 2017	Indian, Alaska	Black bear	Hiking or walking	1
June 2016	Flathead National Forest, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
October 2015	West of Kalispell, Montana	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
August 2015	Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
May 2015	Near Mackenzie, British Columbia	Black bear	Camping	1
October 2014	Near Teslin, Yukon	Brown bear / grizzly	At home or a cabin	1
September 2014	Near West Milford, New Jersey	Black bear	Hiking or walking	1
September 2014	Near Norman Wells, Northwest Territories	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
September 2014	Kananaskis Country, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
September 2014	Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming	Brown bear / grizzly	Working outdoors	1
May 2014	Near Fort McMurray, Alberta	Black bear	Working outdoors	1
June 2013	Near Delta Junction, Alaska	Black bear	Hiking or walking	1
October 2012	Chichagof Island, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
August 2012	Denali National Park, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
August 2011	Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
July 2011	Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona	Black bear	Hiking or walking	1
July 2011	Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
June 2011	Near Lillooet, British Columbia	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
July 2010	Gallatin National Forest, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
June 2010	Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
September 2009	ZEC Wessonneau, Québec	Black bear	Working outdoors	1
August 2009	Ouray, Colorado	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
October 2008	Near Sundre, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
May 2008	Near La Sarre, Quebec	Black bear	Fishing	1
November 2007	Near Sundre, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
July 2007	Panorama Mountain Resort, British Columbia	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
June 2007	Uinta National Forest, Utah	Black bear	Camping	1
April 2006	Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
April 2006	Near Ross River, Yukon	Brown bear / grizzly	Working outdoors	1
September 2005	Missinaibi Lake Provincial Park, Ontario	Black bear	Camping	1
September 2005	Near Bowron River, British Columbia	Brown bear / grizzly	Working outdoors	1
August 2005	Selkirk, Manitoba	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
June 2005	Nonacho Lake, Northwest Territories	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
June 2005	Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
June 2005	Canmore, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
October 2003	Katmai National Park, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
September 2002	Saint-Zénon-du-Lac-Humqui, Quebec	Black bear	Camping	1
September 2002	Near Fort Nelson, British Columbia	Black bear	Working outdoors	1
August 2002	Fallsburg, New York	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
October 2001	Near Ovando, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
August 2001	Mora, New Mexico	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
June 2001	Near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories	Black bear	Camping	1
July 2000	Near Valcartier, Quebec	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
July 2000	Hyder, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
May 2000	Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
November 1999	Uganik Island, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
July 1999	Near Rankin Inlet, Nunavut	Polar bear	Other or unknown	1
May 1999	Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
October 1998	Near Prince George, British Columbia	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
August 1998	Near Beaver Mines, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Fishing	1
May 1998	Glacier National Park, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
February 1998	Near Kenai, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Working outdoors	1
August 1997	Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park, British Columbia	Black bear	Hiking or walking	1
August 1996	Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
July 1996	Kluane National Park, Yukon	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
June 1996	Near Tatlayoko Lake, British Columbia	Black bear	Working outdoors	1
October 1995	Near Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
July 1995	Near Anchorage, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
September 1994	70 Mile House, British Columbia	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
August 1993	Fremont County, Colorado	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
October 1992	Glacier National Park, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
September 1992	Jasper National Park, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
July 1992	Glennallen, Alaska	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
July 1992	Near King Cove, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
June 1992	Near Cochrane, Ontario	Black bear	Working outdoors	1
October 1991	Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario	Black bear	Camping	1
May 1991	Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta	Black bear	Camping	1
December 1990	Point Lay, Alaska	Polar bear	Hiking or walking	1
November 1988	Port Alexander, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
October 1988	Chinchaga River, near Manning, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Working outdoors	1
November 1987	Near DeBolt, Alberta	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
July 1987	Glacier National Park, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
April 1987	Glacier National Park, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
October 1986	Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
May 1985	Near Fort Nelson, British Columbia	Black bear	Working outdoors	1
July 1984	Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
November 1983	Churchill, Manitoba	Polar bear	Hiking or walking	1
July 1983	La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve, Quebec	Black bear	Camping	1
June 1983	Gallatin National Forest, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
May 1983	Near Nipawin Provincial Park, Saskatchewan	Black bear	Fishing	1
May 1983	Near Canwood, Saskatchewan	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
July 1981	Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park, British Columbia	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
September 1980	Glacier National Park, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
August 1980	Near Zama City, Alberta	Black bear	Working outdoors	1
August 1980	Near Banff, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Fishing	1
July 1980	Leo Creek, near Granisle, British Columbia	Black bear	Fishing	1
July 1980	Glacier National Park, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
September 1979	Near Pincher Creek, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
May 1978	Main article: 1978 Algonquin Provincial Park bear attack Canada, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario	Black bear	Fishing	3
July 1977	Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
September 1976	Glacier National Park, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
September 1976	Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
August 1976	Near Fairview, Alberta	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
July 1976	Glacier National Park, British Columbia	Brown bear / grizzly	Hiking or walking	1
January 1975	Inuvik, Northwest Territories	Polar bear	Working outdoors	1
August 1974	Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
May 1974	Glenwood, Washington	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
September 1973	Banff National Park, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Working outdoors	1
June 1972	Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
July 1971	Near Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado	Black bear	Camping	1
January 1970	Near Fort St. John, British Columbia	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
November 1968	Churchill, Manitoba	Polar bear	Other or unknown	1
October 1968	Near Atikokan, Ontario	Black bear	Hiking or walking	1
August 1967	Near Okanagan Landing, British Columbia	Black bear	Hiking or walking	1
August 1967	Glacier National Park, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
August 1967	Glacier National Park, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Camping	1
June 1965	Aitkin, Minnesota	Black bear	Fishing	1
September 1964	Near Schefferville, Quebec	Black bear	Working outdoors	1
August 1963	Near Fairbanks, Alaska	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
September 1959	Near Cadomin, Alberta	Black bear	Fishing	1
October 1958	Near Ovando, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
August 1958	Jasper National Park, Alberta	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
October 1956	Near Augusta, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
April 1956	Chitina, Copper River Census Area, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	2
September 1955	Near Eureka, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
November 1952	Near Anchorage, Alaska	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
July 1948	Marquette National Forest, Michigan	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
November 1943	West Townshend, Vermont	Black bear	Hunting	1
August 1942	Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming	Brown bear / grizzly	At home or a cabin	1
October 1932	Near Dawson, Yukon	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
October 1929	Admiralty Island, Alaska	Brown bear / grizzly	Working outdoors	1
September 1929	Jasper National Park, Alberta	Brown bear / grizzly	Working outdoors	1
August 1929	Near Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba	Black bear	At home or a cabin	1
June 1922	Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
September 1916	Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
February 1914	Helena, Montana	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
September 1913	Napartok Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador	Polar bear	Other or unknown	1
November 1906	Elk County, Pennsylvania	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
May 1901	Job, West Virginia	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
September 1892	Near Greybull River, Wyoming	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
June 1892	Colonia Pacheco, Chihuahua, Mexico	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
June 1886	Salmon River, Idaho	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
July 1885	Sedona, Arizona	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
December 1883	Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
September 1883	Cheboygan, Michigan	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
June 1881	Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario	Black bear	Other or unknown	1
1875	Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
August 1863	Cache County, Utah	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
1855	Sierra Nevada, California	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
December 1854	Santa Monica, California	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
October 1854	Mount San Antonio, California	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
1850	Rocky Mountains	Brown bear / grizzly	Other or unknown	1
October 1837	Fort Tejon, California	Brown bear / grizzly	Hunting	1
August 1784	Moultonborough, New Hampshire	Black bear	Working outdoors	1

1. How Many Bear Attacks Are Reported in North America and Worldwide?

The widest worldwide study collected 5,440 reported large carnivore attacks on humans. That PLOS Biology figure is a global carnivore reference point, so it should not be read as a North America bear count. A separate Scientific Reports dataset covers bear attacks in North America from 1955 to 2014, with polar bear cases handled across the circumpolar region.

Black bear standing among trees in a forest

Metric	Value	Source
Worldwide reported large carnivore attacks, 1950 to 2019	5,440	PLOS Biology, A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans (1950-2019)
Worldwide reported American black bear attacks, 1950 to 2019	403	PLOS Biology, A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans (1950-2019)
Worldwide reported brown bear attacks, 1950 to 2019	664	PLOS Biology, A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans (1950-2019)
Worldwide reported polar bear attacks, 1950 to 2019	23	PLOS Biology, A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans (1950-2019)
Worldwide fatal share among reported ursid attacks, 1950 to 2019	9%	PLOS Biology, A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans (1950-2019)
North America recorded brown bear attacks, 1955 to 2014	92 attacks	Scientific Reports, Human behaviour can trigger large carnivore attacks in developed countries (1955 to 2014)
North America recorded black bear attacks, 1955 to 2014	85 attacks	Scientific Reports, Human behaviour can trigger large carnivore attacks in developed countries (1955 to 2014)
Circumpolar recorded polar bear attacks, 1955 to 2014	13 attacks	Scientific Reports, Human behaviour can trigger large carnivore attacks in developed countries (1955 to 2014)

The PLOS Biology dataset is a subsample of actual cases and excludes attacks by rabid animals.

Most recent available data: PLOS Biology, 2019.

2. What Circumstances Lead to Black Bear Attacks?

A prior food reward or property damage report is a major red flag, appearing before 74% of conterminous U.S. nonfatal cases. That means risk can build before a person outdoors ever sees the animal. Human Wildlife Interactions also separated defensive cases from food motivation, which keeps planning focused on behavior and attractants.

Defensive cases made up 52%, while food motivation accounted for 33%. The defensive side often involved female bears with young, so space matters as much as scent control. Store food and scented items securely, and give family groups extra distance to repel bears while camping. Food that stays sealed in a hard-sided cooler, kept in a vehicle or food locker, gives bears less reason to linger, and our best camping coolers guide compares hard-sided options for longer trips.

Metric	Value	Source
Worldwide ursid attack scenarios, 1950 to 2019	Involuntary sudden encounters 45%, defensive reactions by females with cubs 18%, food-related interactions 16%	PLOS Biology, A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans (1950-2019)
Conterminous United States agency confirmed nonfatal black bear attacks, 2000 to 2017	210	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Characteristics of Non-fatal Attacks by Black Bears: Conterminous United States, 2000 to 2017 (2000 to 2017)
Conterminous United States defensive share of nonfatal black bear attacks, 2000 to 2017	52%	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Characteristics of Non-fatal Attacks by Black Bears: Conterminous United States, 2000 to 2017 (2000 to 2017)
Conterminous United States predatory share of nonfatal black bear attacks, 2000 to 2017	15%	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Characteristics of Non-fatal Attacks by Black Bears: Conterminous United States, 2000 to 2017 (2000 to 2017)
Conterminous United States food motivated share of nonfatal black bear attacks, 2000 to 2017	33%	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Characteristics of Non-fatal Attacks by Black Bears: Conterminous United States, 2000 to 2017 (2000 to 2017)
Conterminous United States female bear share of defensive nonfatal black bear attacks, 2000 to 2017	85%	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Characteristics of Non-fatal Attacks by Black Bears: Conterminous United States, 2000 to 2017 (2000 to 2017)
Conterminous United States young present among female bears in defensive nonfatal attacks, 2000 to 2017	91%	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Characteristics of Non-fatal Attacks by Black Bears: Conterminous United States, 2000 to 2017 (2000 to 2017)
Conterminous United States prior property damage or food reward reports before nonfatal black bear attacks, 2000 to 2017	74%	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Characteristics of Non-fatal Attacks by Black Bears: Conterminous United States, 2000 to 2017 (2000 to 2017)

The conterminous U.S. study was limited to 210 agency confirmed nonfatal cases in the 48 conterminous United States, with Alaska excluded.

Most recent available data: PLOS Biology, 2019.

3. How Often Do Bear Attacks Happen in Yellowstone?

Around roads and developed areas, the National Park Service put the risk at 1 in 59.5 million visits in 2018. That visit-based figure belongs to front-country recreation. It should not be used for backcountry hiking or campsite nights, because the National Park Service uses different exposure measures for those activities.

Backcountry campsite risk is tied to overnight stays. Backcountry hiking risk is tied to person use days, which count time spent using the area. That matters because a long trip adds exposure in a way a single entrance count cannot show.

Historical fatality figures cover a much longer window. Human-Wildlife Interactions reported 8 fatal bear attacks from 1872 to 2018 and a grizzly bear fatality risk of 1 fatality per 26.2 million park visits. For backcountry travel, Yellowstone managers suggested hiking with at least three people. Most encounters start with surprise, so a bright camping headlamp for early starts and dusk walks makes it easier to spot movement on the trail before you get close.

Metric	Value	Source
Yellowstone suggested minimum hiking group size, 2022	≥3 people	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Bear-caused Human Fatalities in Yellowstone National Park: Characteristics and Trends (2022)
Yellowstone fatal bear attacks, 1872 to 2018	8	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Bear-caused Human Fatalities in Yellowstone National Park: Characteristics and Trends (1872 to 2018)
Yellowstone grizzly bear fatality risk per park visits, 1872 to 2018	1 fatality per 26.2 million park visits	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Bear-caused Human Fatalities in Yellowstone National Park: Characteristics and Trends (1872 to 2018)
Yellowstone backcountry grizzly bear encounters, 2018	37	National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Bear-Human Conflict Report - 2018 (2018)
Yellowstone backcountry grizzly bear charges, 2018	9 (24%)	National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Bear-Human Conflict Report - 2018 (2018)
Yellowstone bear attack risk during front country recreation, 2018	1 in 59.5 million visits	National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Bear-Human Conflict Report - 2018 (2018)
Yellowstone bear attack risk while camping in a backcountry campsite, 2018	1 in 1.7 million overnight stays	National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Bear-Human Conflict Report - 2018 (2018)
Yellowstone bear attack risk while hiking in the backcountry, 2018	1 in 232,612 person use days	National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Bear-Human Conflict Report - 2018 (2018)

The fatality study abstract states the bear species for seven of the eight Yellowstone deaths from 1872 to 2018.

Most recent available data: Human-Wildlife Interactions, 2022.

4. Does Bear Spray Work Better than a Gun?

These sources do not compare the two head to head. A study of Alaska firearm incidents reported an 84% success rate for handguns and 76% for long guns, while Yellowstone logged 4 successful bear spray deployments in 2018.

National Park Service data shows carriage was common among Yellowstone backpacking groups in 2018, with 81% of groups carrying it. Day trail use looked lower, with 46% of groups carrying it. That split matters because the device can help only if someone has it and can reach it during a close encounter.

The Alaska firearm study is a different source and setting. It reviewed 269 incidents involving firearms and reported separate outcomes for long guns and handguns. Those results describe firearm use in Alaska, while the Yellowstone figures describe carrying and successful deployments in one park year.

A plan to repel bears while camping should keep any deterrent accessible, since the Alaska study said inadequate response time affected 27% of diminished firearm effectiveness cases.

Metric	Value	Source
Yellowstone bear spray carrying by backpackers, 2018	47% of people, 81% of groups	National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Bear-Human Conflict Report - 2018 (2018)
Yellowstone bear spray carrying by day users on trails, 2018	21% of people, 46% of groups	National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Bear-Human Conflict Report - 2018 (2018)
Yellowstone successful bear spray deployments, 2018	4 times	National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Bear-Human Conflict Report - 2018 (2018)
Yellowstone minor injuries from bear spray deployments, 2018	1 minor injury	National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Bear-Human Conflict Report - 2018 (2018)
Alaska bear human conflict incidents involving firearms, 2012	269 incidents	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Efficacy of firearms for bear deterrence in Alaska (2012)
Alaska long gun successful deterrence rate in bear encounters, 2012	76%	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Efficacy of firearms for bear deterrence in Alaska (2012)
Alaska handgun successful deterrence rate in bear encounters, 2012	84%	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Efficacy of firearms for bear deterrence in Alaska (2012)
Alaska firearm failure due to inadequate response time, 2012	27%	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Efficacy of firearms for bear deterrence in Alaska (2012)

The firearm study caveat says the data year range is missing from the available text.

Most recent available data: National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, 2018.

5. What Do Fatal Black Bear Cases Show Historically?

The long record is small: at least 63 people killed in 59 incidents. The Journal of Wildlife Management case series covers 1900 to 2009, so it is history and should not be read as a current risk estimate. Its value is in the circumstances around the deaths.

The cases point toward severe encounters involving small parties, predatory behavior, daylight, and sometimes food or garbage near the attack location. Store food and garbage so a bear has less reason to be there. That framing keeps an old death record separate from today's trip planning choices.

Metric	Value	Source
Fatal black bear attacks on parties of 1 or 2 persons, 2011	91% (49 of 54)	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Fatal attacks by American black bear on people: 1900-2009 (2011)
Fatal black bear incidents judged predatory, 2011	88% (49 of 56)	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Fatal attacks by American black bear on people: 1900-2009 (2011)
Fatal black bear attacks during daylight hours, 2011	70%	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Fatal attacks by American black bear on people: 1900-2009 (2011)
North America fatal non captive black bear attack deaths, 1900 to 2009	63 people killed in 59 incidents	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Fatal attacks by American black bear on people: 1900-2009 (1900-2009)
North America fatal black bear attack deaths by region, 1900 to 2009	Canada and Alaska: 49; lower 48 states: 14	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Fatal attacks by American black bear on people: 1900-2009 (1900-2009)
North America fatal black bear attacks occurring 1960 to 2009	86% (54 of 63, 1.08/yr)	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Fatal attacks by American black bear on people: 1900-2009 (1960-2009)
North America fatal black bear incidents influenced by food or garbage, 1900 to 2009	38% (15 of 40)	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Fatal attacks by American black bear on people: 1900-2009 (1900-2009)
North America fatal predatory black bear incidents involving adult or subadult male bears, 1900 to 2009	92% (33 of 36)	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Fatal attacks by American black bear on people: 1900-2009 (1900-2009)

Only non-captive black bears are counted, and the figure is a minimum.

Most recent available data: The Journal of Wildlife Management, 2011.

Bear Attack by the Numbers

Metric	Value	Source
Worldwide reported large carnivore attacks, 1950 to 2019	5,440	PLOS Biology, A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans (1950-2019)
Worldwide reported American black bear attacks, 1950 to 2019	403	PLOS Biology, A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans (1950-2019)
Worldwide reported brown bear attacks, 1950 to 2019	664	PLOS Biology, A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans (1950-2019)
Worldwide reported polar bear attacks, 1950 to 2019	23	PLOS Biology, A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans (1950-2019)
Worldwide fatal share among reported ursid attacks, 1950 to 2019	9%	PLOS Biology, A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans (1950-2019)
Worldwide ursid attack scenarios, 1950 to 2019	Involuntary sudden encounters 45%, defensive reactions by females with cubs 18%, food-related interactions 16%	PLOS Biology, A worldwide perspective on large carnivore attacks on humans (1950-2019)
Conterminous United States agency confirmed nonfatal black bear attacks, 2000 to 2017	210	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Characteristics of Non-fatal Attacks by Black Bears: Conterminous United States, 2000 to 2017 (2000 to 2017)
Conterminous United States defensive share of nonfatal black bear attacks, 2000 to 2017	52%	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Characteristics of Non-fatal Attacks by Black Bears: Conterminous United States, 2000 to 2017 (2000 to 2017)
Conterminous United States prior property damage or food reward reports before nonfatal black bear attacks, 2000 to 2017	74%	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Characteristics of Non-fatal Attacks by Black Bears: Conterminous United States, 2000 to 2017 (2000 to 2017)
Yellowstone grizzly bear fatality risk per park visits, 1872 to 2018	1 fatality per 26.2 million park visits	Human-Wildlife Interactions, Bear-caused Human Fatalities in Yellowstone National Park: Characteristics and Trends (1872 to 2018)
Yellowstone bear attack risk during front country recreation, 2018	1 in 59.5 million visits	National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Bear-Human Conflict Report - 2018 (2018)
Yellowstone bear attack risk while camping in a backcountry campsite, 2018	1 in 1.7 million overnight stays	National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Bear-Human Conflict Report - 2018 (2018)
Alaska bear human conflict incidents involving firearms, 2012	269 incidents	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Efficacy of firearms for bear deterrence in Alaska (2012)
Alaska long gun successful deterrence rate in bear encounters, 2012	76%	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Efficacy of firearms for bear deterrence in Alaska (2012)
Alaska handgun successful deterrence rate in bear encounters, 2012	84%	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Efficacy of firearms for bear deterrence in Alaska (2012)
North America fatal non captive black bear attack deaths, 1900 to 2009	63 people killed in 59 incidents	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Fatal attacks by American black bear on people: 1900-2009 (1900-2009)
North America fatal black bear attacks occurring 1960 to 2009	86% (54 of 63, 1.08/yr)	The Journal of Wildlife Management, Fatal attacks by American black bear on people: 1900-2009 (1960-2009)

Methodology and Sources

The public data reviewed here does not provide a current North America bear attack total or a live Yellowstone sighting count. Several sources count conflicts, visits, incidents, or media reports, so they cannot be merged into one attack rate.

Watch the next Yellowstone human bear conflict report, Utah DWR seasonal incident updates, and new peer reviewed bear attack datasets.

Figures are reported as each source published them. Surveys with different methods are shown separately and were not combined.

Last updated: November 2026

We update this page annually.

Bear Attack Statistics (2026): 40+ Data Points on North America Attack Counts, Yellowstone Risk Rates, and Bear Spray and Firearms