Volverine (right) turns around when she spots Bullseye (left) as if saying “Nope!” Image: USDA Forest Service

Despite both species being bears, black bears ( Ursus americanus ) typically won’t go to areas that brown bears ( Ursus arctos ) frequent. For one, brown bears are bigger, at 600 to 900 pounds to the black bear’s average of 90 to 500 pounds .

Despite her large stature (and award-winning butt ), a mother bear in Tongass National Forest in southeastern Alaska named Volverine instantly turned around when she noticed a female brown bear named Bullseye standing right behind her. The U.S. Forest Service team at Tongass National Forest has awarded her the 2026 Nope Award for her quick turn away from Bullseye.

“It took a minute for Volverine to notice Bullseye the brown bear standing right behind her, but when she saw, she said, ‘Nope!’” the rangers write.

Bullseye is a five-year-old brown bear who is known for dark circles around her eyes, and dark brown fur mixed into her blonde coat.…