On a quiet Tuesday or Wednesday evening at 10:30pm in Beacon (10/25/2022 or 10/26/2022), just before Halloween night, a driver stopped their car after they said they saw a bear crossing Main Street from Binnacle Books to the Flowers ‘N Gifts near Happy Valley Arcade. Apparently a second driver also stopped as the bear crossed. This hour is generally considered late late night in Beacon.

The driver called the Beacon Police, who the driver felt may not have believed them. Then the driver called their friend, who often walks at all hours of the day and night,. The driver was concerned for their friend as they wanted the friend to be aware of a bear at night in town. The friend is a reader of A Little Beacon Blog, and told us the story.

Reportedly, the driver did not know the color of the bear, or the size, but was certain that it was a bear, and not a overly large NYC size racoon. The driver did not indicate any signs of aggression, or that the bear had anything in its mouth or paws.

A Little Beacon Blog followed up with Happy Valley and with Binnacle Books, who both said they had not heard anything. ALBB did not yet file a FOIL to see if there was a Police Report filed for the call.

What Does Beacon’s Mountain Scout Say About The Bear?

ALBB reached out to Shane Hobel, founder of The Mountain Scout Survival School, to check in on his thoughts about a bear sighting in an urban area. Shane has provided expertise for media outlets including The New York Times, Urban Daddy, Fox News, and others.

“I’ve heard some people see a black bear around. It’s to be expected. If you look at the town from an eagle's perspective, is a big open plain between a mountain and a river. What used to be that corridor is now filled with city. It still has an avenue going from the mountain to the river. We are surrounded by woods, in Beacon. So, we're going to have a visitor."

Shane continued: “It's also a little bit of a confusing time with unseasonably warm temperatures. As people prepare for winter, bears are doing ther same. If there is a trail of smells, of course, the bear will follow.”

Shane answered a few more questions from ALBB:

Do people need to be afraid if they see a bear on Main Street? Or in a grassy area near their home or school?
“Black bears are pretty timid. Very shy. Docile. Easily scared if shooed off. Like a big raccoon looking for food. It’s Mama you need to be a little concerned about when near her cubs.”

What should one do if they see a bear crossing the street?
”Let the bear cross first.”

What if you are carrying a lunch box, and you see a black bear? What should you do?
”If you are that close and you are holding food, best thing to do is to put the food down and walk away slowly.”

“When you look at bear shit, here on the east coast, they eat nuts and berries. When you go out west, it’s the grizzly bear. You look at the bear shit there, you see bells and whistles.”

As in…they will eat you?
”Yes. Out west, they don't care what you are trying to scare them with. They will eat you anyway. Out here, no. The black bears here are shy.”