Sup out. Usually hang out on /k/ but thought this board was more appropriate.

I encountered my first black bear out in the wild besides Yellowstone. I'm in WA state out innawoods in the Cascades. I'm alone and I usually make noise when I'm hiking but for a while I didn't and heard what I thought were dirtbikes. Movement caught my right eye and about 30-40 yards away in the deep shaded woods off the path I saw a fairly small black bear looking back at me, then walking away and then looking back making a growl every once in a while.

Adrenaline and a head rush hit me instantly but I calmed down knowing I had a way of defending myself. I calmly walked on down the path glancing over at him until I lost sight.

Now I know they don't want to attack humans usually and will stay away, but what is the proper response when you do encounter a black bear that is stalking you and being aggressive. I basically want to know what to do so I don't have to shoot one unless I have to.