A black bear playing on a backyard swing in Asheville, North Carolina, found itself on the receiving end of one man’s unconventional strategy for wildlife management. When the bear began frequenting his property, one local resident decided to fight bear with bear—literally—by stepping into a furry brown costume and confronting the real thing.

What followed was a bizarre and captivating interaction between man and beast, captured on video and quickly shared across multiple platforms.

A black bear entered a family’s yard in Asheville, North Carolina.

The Bear Came to Play

The bear wasn’t behaving aggressively. It appeared to be more curious than anything, exploring the yard with a childlike fascination. It rolled beneath a trampoline, fiddled with a toy dump truck, and even tried out a backyard swing recently installed by the homeowner, as reported by KSL.com.

The family, watching safely from indoors, was initially amused by the black bear’s antics. “This is proof bears are just big kids,” one parent said while recording the scene.

But repeated visits turned the amusement into concern. That’s when the bear suit made its debut.

The bear explored a child’s swing and played with toys.

Unorthodox Strategy, Unbelievable Results

Wearing a costume that resembled a cartoonish grizzly—something closer to a college mascot than an apex predator—a man stepped into his yard and walked toward the bear. According to Vice, he didn’t charge or scream. He simply stared at the animal, moved slowly, and eventually waved his arms.

The bear hesitated, then turned and ran toward the fence. When the man struck a nearby car to create a loud sound, the bear finally fled.

Still, the victory was short-lived. The bear returned. So the man suited up again, approached more assertively, and even growled at the bear. Once more, the black bear retreated.

The family watched from inside, amused but concerned.

Experts Strongly Advise Against This

Though effective in this particular case, experts caution against such confrontations. The National Park Service explicitly warns the public not to imitate bear sounds or engage with wild bears at close range. Bears can be unpredictable, and aggressive behavior—even if only performed in costume—can provoke a dangerous response.

“You should never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal,” the NPS says. “Do NOT run or make any sudden movements.” Loud noises can also mimic prey behavior and trigger pursuit.

In this situation, the man’s actions—though they achieved their goal—were exactly the kind of behavior that wildlife agencies urge people to avoid.

The bear returned to the yard more than once.

The Costume’s Role in the Encounter

The bear suit was effective, possibly because it made the man appear as a larger and unfamiliar rival. The New York Post reports that the get-up looked more like something worn at a football game than in a wildlife documentary. But the illusion was just convincing enough to startle the bear into leaving.

The man did not physically engage the animal. His movements were slow and calculated—at first. Later, as the bear lingered, the man escalated by running and growling.

This bold strategy may have worked due to a combination of surprise, illusion, and noise. But had the bear chosen to react defensively, the story could have ended very differently.

A man in the home put on a bear costume.

What to Do If You See a Bear

While this backyard showdown ended without injury, wildlife experts urge anyone who spots a bear near their home to contact local animal control or wildlife officials. Securing trash, keeping pets indoors, and using approved deterrents are far safer options.

North Carolina’s black bears are generally not aggressive, especially when no food or pets are involved, as noted by KSL.com. But they are still wild animals and should be treated with caution and respect.

A Costume Isn’t a Shield

In the end, this North Carolina man’s bear suit bought him some peace and perhaps a good story to tell. But wildlife officials agree: this method shouldn’t become a trend.

It was a one-off. Not a recommendation.