Thread: runin with a bear last night gun saved my butt.

Couple years ago down here in Tennessee, a lady saved her 3 year old daughter from a black bear (yeah, I know how friendly they are supposed to be- but it was chewing on the little girls arm) with one shot from a .38

A .38 ain't no laughing matter... and neither is a pissed off mama.

Originally Posted by nessmuck

Let me know how that shouting thing works for ya when your that close to a bear.

Actually, I have been within 20 yards of 6 different wild black bears. Didn't even have to shout, as the bears weren't interested in attacking me. And 4 of them were all larger than the one the OP dealt with. I will admit that I had to check my underwear for stains after 2 of the encounters. These bears were both over 450 pounds and I can't say I can remember ever being so in awe and intimidated by the sight of a wild animal. Firearms were not allowed to be carried in both those encounters and I wish I'd had one because if they had wanted to do some damage, I would have been toast. I sympathize with the OP, as there is nothing more intimidating in the wild than coming that close to a large bear of any kind. But I've learned to respect them as well, and I personally will never kill one unless I absolutely have to.

i have respect for the bears but i also have enough commen knowlage to know that if they fel there in danger there gonna fight back hard.

When I saw them backpacking it seemed to work....

Originally Posted by nessmuck

Let me know how that shouting thing works for ya when your that close to a bear.

Most people assume Black Bears are pretty harmless as far as staying clear of people goes but I think research has shown Black Bears can be very unpredictable and aggressive and can be more dangerous than a grizzly which is more retiring. Of course grizzly's are more dangerous if they get a hold of you but really if a 300 pound Black gets you as opposed to a 500 pound Grizzly well dead is dead. The black might have to hit you 2x to knock your head off while the grizzly just needs a single small one.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

... Of course grizzly's are more dangerous if they get a hold of you but really if a 300 pound Black gets you as opposed to a 500 pound Grizzly well dead is dead. The black might have to hit you 2x to knock your head off while the grizzly just needs a single small one.

I personally don't see as either bear would be that dangerous. I mean, have you actually ever seen a bear claw? Go to your local bakery and take a look at one. They generally have them in the case next to the cinnamon buns. Now tell me how a bear is gonna' hurt me with one of those? Hell, from where I stand, that bear better watch out for me! Bear claws ate tasty! If'n I get my hands on a bear, he's gonna have to get prosthetics after I'm done with him.

Originally Posted by joesixpack

I personally don't see as either bear would be that dangerous. I mean, have you actually ever seen a bear claw? Go to your local bakery and take a look at one. They generally have them in the case next to the cinnamon buns. Now tell me how a bear is gonna' hurt me with one of those? Hell, from where I stand, that bear better watch out for me! Bear claws ate tasty! If'n I get my hands on a bear, he's gonna have to get prosthetics after I'm done with him.

If I hit you with one a few days old your dead.

In case you're REALLY wondering about bear country and bears, this sign explains it all for you.

thats priceless wullie i love it.

Where I live In NY, we have quite a bit of encounters. When I first moved here fifteen years ago there were more I think. One time - while living in Albany - we had blackie come into the city. He was shot dead by the man. That bear was actually a "known" bear. He had been a nuisance bear that was originally tagged down in PA. He wa reported along the way over time as he came up the Hudson River. He even at one time, had crossed the river somewhere before entering the city at the eastern border of Rensselaer County. I would love to have seen him swimming across that river! If I recall, he was a real brute of a buggger. The second one that came into the city came into it before I left and moved to Renssealer County. That one was in my neighborhood so I was able to take ride by and check him out. The reason being is that he was treed and the prior one in the city, well, the tree-huggers raised quite a bit of stink with the kill, so instead, the powers that being opted to dart the second one. All-in-all, we get a lot of bears where I live now. Only when you run a couple of hounds as I do, they tend to avoid you. However, one time I was shaving and peeked out my bathroom window, and lo and behold, there was my cat Clyde sitting on the back deck and I must've spooked the coyote because he was close to snatching 'ol Clyde off the deck when he turned an booked it out of there. Clyde never even saw him, that lazy, loafing, disgrace to the mousing world that he is!