Fall is the best time for hiking; the leaves are changing colors, the breeze keeps everyone cool and the view is just breathtaking…that is until you spot a bear chasing after you.On Sept. 19th a man reported a bear prowled  around him and would not back down. A 21-year-old woman and a 7-year-old boy reported being followed and chased in the forest that very same day. Two more encounters happened on Oct. 3 when three female hikers reported they fled the scene unharmed, after a bear had chased them too, along with a man who said a bear tried to strike him and stalked him before finally backing off. It is believed that this unusually aggressive behavior is caused by humans feeding the bears. When humans feed feed wild animals, they become used to it, making them less afraid of people and become more aggressive to get what they want. This has caused the four black bears roaming around Ramapo Reservation to be killed. Feeding the animals is both very dangerous and illegal, if caught violators can be prosecuted with fines up to 1,000. Heather Clapp, a local, has never gone to Ramapo Reservation. However, she has gone hiking. “Honestly, I’d be so terrified if I saw a bear. I know I’m not supposed to run away but I think it would be hard to think rationally if a bear was coming after me.” If ever followed by a bear, never run — back up, make noise or throw rocks. However, if attacked, fight back, and try to hit the nose and the eyes.