Bear attacks in New York are rare but they do happen. A Cairo man was attacked at his home in Round Top on Saturday August 30th. He was taken by ambulance to Albany Medical Center where he was treated for injuries to his neck. Local Greene County ECOs were the first officers to respond to the scene.
A Cairo man was injured on Saturday, August 30th at approximately 8 p.m. after encountering a black bear rummaging in the outer entry room of his Round Top residence. The man, 63, sustained serious injuries during the close-quarters contact as he allegedly attempted to remove the bear from the room where food and garbage were stored. Greene County 911 dispatched Cairo Ambulance, Greene County EMS and police patrols around 8:06 p.m. to the location on Bailey Road. Two local NYS Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) assigned to Greene County were the first officers to arrive at the scene. The man was reported to be bleeding from a neck injury with lacerations from ear to ear. He was taken to Albany Medical Center via ambulance. The bear fled the scene after mauling the resident. DEC has not released additional information on the man’s condition or whether attempts were made to locate the bear. Investigations of bear attacks are typically conducted by ECOs in conjunction with DEC wildlife staff.
DEC’s Black Bear Response Manual https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/bearsopm.pdf states, “Fortunately, in New York, instances where a bear has attacked or injured a person have been extremely rare. Wild bears are naturally afraid of people.”
The manual states seven people were injured by bears in New York between 1985 and 2011. It goes on to note, “A human fatality occurred in the Catskill region in 2002, when a young male bear killed an infant. The attack appeared unprovoked and circumstances surrounding the incident are not fully understood.”
Other human-black bear conflicts in the Cairo and Round Top, NY area include a 2011 incident where a woman sustained minor injuries after being knocked down from behind by a black bear while she investigated overturned garbage pails. In 2024, a 53-year-old Round Top woman was also reported to have been knocked down by a bear in her driveway in another incident involving garbage that was scattered due to nuisance bear activity.
The Bear Response Manual advises against provoking “…bears by picking up cubs, taking food away from a bear or by chasing and cornering a bear. Although injuries are rare, black bears are powerful wild animals capable of causing significant injuries or death.”
Regarding potentially dangerous conflicts with black bears, it goes on to say, “If the bear is still there, immediately arrange for a public safety officer or other qualified agency staff to go to the scene and protect the person being attacked or injured. Immediately contact local law enforcement agencies, Environmental Conservation Officers…beginning with the person you believe is the closest to the scene.”
NYS DEC’s website contains information on how to avoid human-bear conflicts stating it begins with prevention. They recommend you follow the “at-home BearWise Basics,” which can help reduce the likelihood of human-bear conflict in your backyard.
“Throughout the spring and early summer months, black bears have depleted fat reserves and will search extensively for easily obtainable, calorie-dense foods, which can lead to an increase in the potential for human-bear conflicts near homes and residential areas,” DEC stated.
Although black bears have a natural fear of humans, they can act or become defensive if surprised, approached, or become emboldened by human food sources. Follow these Bearwise.org. safety tips to help keep yourself, pets, livestock, apiaries, and bears safe in bear country.
If a bear presents an immediate risk to public safety, DEC advises the public to call 911. If a bear is damaging property or is reluctant to leave an area, but the situation is not an emergency, the public is advised to call the regional wildlife office during business hours, or the DEC Law Enforcement Dispatch Center at 1-844-DEC-ECOs.
The early firearms season to hunt black bears in selected Wildlife Management Units begins on September 6th and ends on September 21st. The early archery, and new for this year, early crossbow season for black bear, begins on October 1st and ends on November 14th. Check your Hunting and Trapping Guide and DEC’s website at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/deer-bear/seasons for detailed information on where and how to hunt bears in NY.
Happy hunting, fishing, and trapping until next time!
News and Notes
Roe-Jan Creek Boat Club Roast Beef BBQ is September 14th
The Roe-Jan Creek Boat Club is hosting their Roast Beef BBQ on September 14th. Their facility is located at 63 Station Road in Linlithgo, in Columbia County opens at 1:00 pm when clams will be available to purchase as they are not included in the cost of the dinner. A roast beef dinner, with potatoes, corn on the cob, green beans, and soup will be served at 3:00 pm. Cost for adults is $20.00, and $10.00 for kids 12 and under. For tickets and more information, call Barbara at 518-755-8802.
Last Chance for the Norton Hill Trap Shooting and 3D Archery Programs
The last date for the Norton Hill Wildlife Club’s Sunday Trap Program is Sunday, September 7th. Trap begins at 10:00 am and the cost is $5.00 per round. Bring your own ammo and ear and eye protection which is required. Breakfast sandwiches will be available starting at 9:00 am for $5.00. For further information call Chad at 518-291-3784.
The last session of Norton Hill’s 3D Archery Program will take place on September 13th. A chicken BBQ will be available from 7:00 am until Noon. Cost for adults is $15.00, youth 12-17 at $7.00 and kids under 12 are free. For more information call Eric at 518-646-6338.
*The gun range will be closed on the dates listed above.
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