Fore! The 7 Most Viral Black Bear Encounters On Golf Courses In 2024-2025
The tranquil green expanse of a golf course, often seen as a civilized escape, is increasingly becoming a stage for dramatic wildlife encounters, particularly with American black bears. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, reports of these curious, and sometimes aggressive, ursine visitors have surged across North America and even overseas, turning routine rounds of golf into unforgettable, viral moments. These incidents are not just isolated oddities; they highlight a growing overlap between human recreation and expanding bear habitats, forcing golfers, greenskeepers, and course management to adapt to a wild new normal.
The constant search for food, especially during the spring emergence from hibernation and the late summer foraging push, drives many black bears onto the manicured landscapes of golf courses. These sprawling properties often border natural wilderness areas, offering a tempting blend of easy forage—like berries, skunk cabbage, and grubs—and, unfortunately, human-related attractants such as unsecured garbage and kitchen waste. Understanding this behavior is crucial, not just for a good story, but for ensuring the safety of everyone on the fairway.
Viral Encounters: The Black Bear's New Tour Schedule (2024-2025)
The 2024 and 2025 seasons have provided an abundance of startling and humorous footage, proving that black bears are unafraid to interrupt a round. These recent incidents, often captured on cell phones, quickly become global news, underscoring the need for updated wildlife management protocols at courses situated near bear country.
1. The Wrestling Cubs of Golden, British Columbia
One of the most shared videos from the late 2024 season featured two juvenile black bears at a golf course in Golden, British Columbia (B.C.). The pair were captured wrestling and playing near the 18th hole, seemingly oblivious to the golfers watching from a safe distance. While playful, wildlife experts confirm that juvenile bears often stay near the course for extended periods, having been born in or near the habitat, which requires constant vigilance from staff.
2. The Bear That Halted a Japanese Golf Tournament
Bear sightings are not exclusive to North America. In a surprising international incident, a black bear sighting prompted organizers of a major golf tournament in Japan to cancel the opening day. This was the second time a bear had halted play at the same tournament, highlighting that the issue of ursine invaders is a global challenge for courses bordering wilderness areas.
3. The Charging Incident in Southwest B.C.
Not all encounters are benign. In a more serious incident that gained widespread attention, a bear charged at a woman on a Southwest B.C. golf course. This event served as a stark reminder that while black bears are generally timid, they can become defensive or aggressive, especially if they feel threatened or if cubs are nearby.
4. The Rise Resort's Fairway Stroll (Vernon, Canada)
In August 2024, a video went viral showing a bear casually strolling near a golfer at The Rise Resort in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. The footage, shared widely across social media, showed the golfer maintaining a safe distance, illustrating the best practice of giving the animal plenty of space to move on its own.
5. The DeBell Golf Course Visitor (Burbank, California)
Even courses close to major metropolitan areas see action. A black bear was spotted on the 18-hole DeBell Golf Course in Burbank, California, near the 11th hole. The bear was last seen walking back into the surrounding hills, a common pattern for bears that use the course as a temporary foraging ground before retreating to their natural habitat.
6. Naples, Florida's Community Stroll
In the southeastern United States, a large black bear was seen strolling through a golf course community in Naples, Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission notes that black bears are the only species of bear found in Florida, and they have become increasingly visible in suburban areas, including golf communities, as their population expands.
7. The Predictable Return near Burnstick Lake (2025)
In a testament to the predictability of bear activity, a "Bear Activity Report" from a regional wildlife group noted a black bear sighting in the morning on August 2, 2025, near Burnstick Lake, with a specific mention of a nearby golf course. These ongoing reports demonstrate that bear sightings are now a regular, anticipated part of the golf season calendar in many regions.
Why Golf Courses Are Black Bear Magnets
To the black bear, a golf course isn't a recreational facility; it's a giant, easily accessible feeding ground. Several factors contribute to this attraction, making the course a critical part of their seasonal foraging strategy:
The Allure of Natural Forage
Golf courses are often carved out of or situated adjacent to forests and wilderness areas. This proximity means that natural food sources are abundant. Bears, especially in the spring, are known to seek out nutrient-rich foods like skunk cabbage as they emerge from hibernation to "unplug" their digestive systems. Furthermore, the perimeter of the greens and fairways is often rich with berries and other wild edibles that attract bears. The greenskeepers at places like Northlands Golf Course in British Columbia, Canada, often have their work cut out for them, as curious bears can cause significant damage while foraging.
The Temptation of Human Food and Odors
The most significant attractant is often human-related food. Golf courses, with their clubhouses, restaurants, and maintenance facilities, generate considerable waste. Bears have an incredible sense of smell and can detect dumped food and garbage from miles away. Unsecured dumpsters, grease traps, and even food left in golf carts can act as powerful attractants, teaching bears that courses are easy places to find a meal.
A Convenient Travel Corridor
The open, relatively flat, and well-maintained terrain of the fairway acts as a convenient travel corridor for bears moving between different patches of forest or water sources. They can cover large distances quickly on the course, especially when moving at dawn or dusk, which often coincides with early morning tee times or late evening rounds.
Essential Black Bear Safety Tips for Golfers
Encountering a black bear on the 14th hole can be startling, but knowing how to react is vital for safety. Wildlife officials and organizations like the U.S. National Park Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission emphasize a few key guidelines for golfers in bear country:
- Never Approach or Feed: The cardinal rule is to never attempt to feed a bear or approach it for a photo. This habituates the bear to humans, which is dangerous for both the animal and people.
- Do Not Run: Running away from a black bear may trigger its natural chase response, similar to a dog. Stand your ground and slowly back away.
- Stand Your Ground and Be Large: If a bear approaches you or seems too close, you must stand your ground. Make yourself look as large as possible by waving your arms around, clapping loudly, and yelling at the bear in a firm, loud voice. The goal is to let the bear know you are human and not an easy meal.
- Use Bear Caches: If the golf course provides bear caches—secure, bear-proof containers—for food or garbage, always use them to eliminate attractants.
- Avoid Climbing Trees: Contrary to popular belief, black bears are excellent climbers. Climbing a tree is not a viable escape strategy.
- Give Space: If you see a bear, leave the area immediately or take a wide detour. Always allow the bear a clear escape route and plenty of space to move away on its own.
Golf course management also plays a crucial role by installing bear-proof garbage containers, educating staff on bear protocols, and posting clear signage, such as those seen at Jasper Park Lodge and other courses in high-activity areas. As bear populations continue to thrive and human development encroaches on their territory, the image of a black bear on the fairway is evolving from a rare novelty to a regular feature of a round of golf.
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