How to Scare Away a Bear

Residents of Ravenna are on alert today after what appears to have been a black bear was seen bumbling about the streets of the small city, rumaging through refuse bins and then running off into the woods. As reported by 19 Action News, the fine people of Ravenna hardly seem concerned, however, as evidenced by this rather excited bit of reporting:

Some local neighborhoods are on bear alert! A couple of residents in Ravenna woke up to a wild sight they'd never seen before, a black bear in their own back yards!

Some people took photos of paw prints One resident wasn't sure, but told police over the phone, "Don't think I'm crazy, but I live down on Scranton Street and my boyfriend just seen a black bear."

But as far as crazy goes, 19 Action News reporter Jen Picciano's tips on how to handle bear encounters definitely podiums in the questionable advice category, which goes something like this: "If a bear does get in your back yard, it doesn't take much to scare it away. All you gotta do it make some noise or clap," which is demonstrated brilliantly in this video by little Emma. Now, while little Emma may have a ferocious clap, a little girl standing at a daunting 3-and-a-half feet or so hardly seems like the best choice to send out for bear containment. Maybe Ravenna doesn't have a thriving animal control unit. But, as Picciano tells us, "If it gets really close, you can always use your Mace."

Let's all head out to Ravenna and bag us a bear. Sounds pretty simple. Whaddaya say?