Bear, Bigfoot or Hoax?

by
posted on August 7, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
wilder_ah2015_fs.jpg (22)

undefinedOK, so I'll spoil everything up front: The video is (maybe?) one of a bear. But it's a bear that's acting a bit uncharacteristically, so I'd encourage you to read on.

The video embedded below went viral yesterday, and for good reason. Purportedly recorded in northern New Jersey, it features a bear casually strolling through the suburbs—exclusively on its hind legs. While it's not at all uncommon for bears to go bipedal to investigate their surroundings, etc., they don't often go on a two-legged walk, just for the heck of it. The last bear I knew to do that was named Yogi. After all, why wander around on two legs when you've got four?

The bear seen here, though, didn't appear to get that memo. And, apparently, it's not the first time the bear's been caught performing such antics. Locals told a nearby NBC affiliate that they'd seen the animal up on its hind legs on a number of other occasions.

At first blush, a lot of folks are assuming that the whole thing is a hoax. Given that the video doesn't get an up close and personal look at the bear, it'd be easy to fake. A second example though, seen here and posted by a Facebook user, seems a little more definitive.

So, what do you say? Is the video below legitimate? Experts say that if it is a bear, it could be nursing a hurt paw—hence the new posture. Check out the video and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Latest

Hunter Silouhetted
Hunter Silouhetted

Can Hunting Become Cool Again?

Is hunting becoming "cool" again? In an era when America’s top podcaster and cage-fighting commentator, Joe Rogan, talking hunting with Yellowstone superstar Luke Grimes seems almost commonplace, you'd have to think that the popularity of hunting is on the ascendency. How can we help it along? Read on, for Frank Miniter's thoughts on breaking hunting back into the mainstream.

Head to Head: 7x57mm Mauser vs. .308 Winchester

The 7x57mm Mauser and the .308 Winchester are two of the most versatile and popular cartridges to make the jump from military to field use. Which makes the more sensible choice for the big game hunter? Follow along as Phil Massaro takes a dive into this pair of classics.

New for 2026: Winchester Long Beard Tungsten

Winchester Ammunition has added Long Beard Tungsten to its turkey hunting lineup of shotshells in 2026.

RMEF Grants $400,000 to Support WAFWA Wildlife Movement Projects

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) recently awarded a $400,000 grant to the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) to fund three state-led projects aimed at conserving, restoring and enhancing big game seasonal habitat and migration corridors in Nevada, Washington and Wyoming.

Suppressor Etiquette: Is It Rude Not to Use One When You Can?

If you legally can use a suppressor, is it becoming rude not to? A recent hunt in New Zealand, where suppressors are almost required equipment, got Brad Fenson thinking about the question. Follow along for the pros and cons of cans, as well as a discussion of the changing cultural norms surrounding their use.

First Look: Winchester American Lever Range Ammunition

The Winchester legacy continues with American Lever Range ammunition, designed and optimized for its namesake platform.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.