Originally Posted by
axolotl
I don't think that's a true statement. Here's a list of fatal bear attacks (all species) in North America. There have been a lot more in Wyoming & Montana than in the east, plus some in other western states. Lots in western Canada and Alaska, and a few in eastern Canada, too.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._America#2020s
Since I last checked in 2008, when I hiked the AT, there has been a spate of fatal grizz attacks in WY and MT. If you look at
this map, you'll see a fair number in the east though, nearly at parity with the US Rockies. There are still enough in the east to make me respect the eastern black bears.