Colorado author Linda Masterson dispels myths, replaces fear with respect, and lays the foundation for improving human-black bear relations with an inside look at the fascinating world of these highly intelligent, adaptable and resourceful animals found in 41 U.S. states and every province in Canada. With over 900,000 black bears roaming North America today, people from Florida to British Columbia are encountering bears more often, and as a result, human-bear conflicts are on the rise. This guidebook to life in bear country is packed with a wealth of useful and often surprising information, and down-to-earth advice from bear experts all over the continent, along with real-life stories from wildlife managers, organizations and communities who've discovered creative, workable ways for people and bears to share space.
Expanded 2nd edition is now available.
Linda Masterson has been helping people learn to peacefully co-exist with bears since she joined the Colorado Division of Wildlife;s Bear Aware Team in 2001. Her award-winning work has appeared in the New York Times Sunday Magazine, Animal Kingdom, Ranger Rick, and many others. After a couple of decades as a creative director at Chicago advertising agencies, she moved to Colorado, and quickly learned some of her new neighbors were large and furry. She's an experienced hiker and outdoorswoman, and a partner in Phillips Group, a marketing and communications firm.