Black Bears

[CliffordK]

No bears around the neighborhood, as far as I know, although we do have some large cats including cougars, and bobcats, i think. And, of course, coyotes.

For the bears, just be careful with your trash, you don't want to train them to hang around your house.

I've seen, perhaps 3 bears on various camping trips (not counting driving in Yellowstone). Actually, all three were along the Illinois River in southern Oregon. Elsewhere, I've seen bear sign, but not bears.

One morning, I was say 6 miles from the trailhead, having pancakes for breakfast, and heard a bunch of rustling up on the trail. I thought it was too early for someone to have hiked in that far. Anyway, I finished breakfast, packed up my boat, and pushed off. The bear came down over the hillside, right across the middle of where my campsite was, and jumped in the river right in front of me, swam across the river, and headed up the other bank, essentially oblivious of my presence.

 

[sam5570]

I'm up in age and have spent alot of time in the woods, mountains, state and national parks but have never seen a bear in the wild. Yesterday, I was putting some stuff in my burn barrel, turned around and there was a 200 pound black bear looking at me. Both of us went the opposite direction. I live in a rather developed area, 36 hole golf course next door, housing development north and south, large dairy farm east. Makes me wonder where that bear came from?

mark

well don't know what part of virgina your in but here in southwest va we have them all around, had one laying in the neighbors yard a couple weeks ago. round about 1989 the game commission stocked the black bear here and ever sence they have created a problem for the farmers. a couple years ago they found about 13 that had been shot next to a farm close to us. june and july is there mating season so there on the prowl. I get at least one and some times as many as 4 on my trail cam every week. before they stocked them here I had never seen one here in all my years hunting these mountains.

 

[bullbreaker]

Here in sw/Fla we have a ton of bears . With humanoids so called progress and developement our wildlife is running out of places to live/hide.

Boone

Consider yourself fortunate you didn't end up like my friends X-wife

 

[Jstpssng]

This time of year they cross my property on the way to the blueberry fields out back. They don't bother, although I do keep my dog a little closer. The only time I worry is when a sow has cubs... but then I don't mess with a mother of ANY species.

 

[timster2]

Well my friend that lives a few miles away just sent this picture of a bear walking up his driveway tonight about 8:30 Another good reason to carry.

 

[Bird]

In our travels, we've actually seen bears in Canada, Alaska, and twice in Minnesota. Then when I was doing a gas leakage survey in Pennsylvania, the local newspaper ran a story about one being seen later in the evening in the same area I had worked that day, and another time when we had to cross a mountainous area and parked our vehicles in front of a country house, the homeowner told us to be careful because he's seen a bear there the day before.

 

[/pine]

lots of black bears around here...The ones you have to be extra careful around are those with cubs...

They are noble beasts...respect them...!

 

[deerseeker001]

i had 2 bears about month ago in my backyard,also the neighbor had seen 4 sighting they are looking for food.

 

[/pine]

Well my friend that lives a few miles away just sent this picture of a bear walking up his driveway tonight about 8:30 Another good reason to carry.
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Black Bears are hardly a reason "to carry" ...IMO...unless there is problematic one around or you get between one and their young they are no real danger...just respect them and enjoy the fact that you have seen a noble beast...

usually the squirrels will let you know when one is around (if you don't smell them first) awareness and intelligence trump firepower in most situations with (potentially harmful) casual wildlife..

 

[timster2]

Black Bears are hardly a reason "to carry" ...IMO...unless there is problematic one around or you get between one and their young they are no real danger...just respect them and enjoy the fact that you have seen a noble beast...

usually the squirrels will let you know when one is around (if you don't smell them first) awareness and intelligence trump firepower in most situations with (potentially harmful) casual wildlife..

True most of the time they will avoid you and go the other way. If you get between momma and the cubs that could be a problem. You can carry pepper spray as well or instead of a firearm. However, as I found out this week, there are other four legged animals that are far more dangerous than a black bear like a pack of pit bulls.