Anyone have any Black Bear Encounters in the Wild?

[Juls]

Has anyone ever come across a black bear in the wild, when you weren't specifically hunting for it, and what was that experience like? What were the circumstances and what happened?

I am writing an article and would like some stories to share, so if you don't want your experience published, please do not reply.

If you do share an experience, please sign it with your name, or PM me your name, so I can quote you.

Thanks,
Juls

[Rich S]

Funny you mention it. I used to go to a capm when I was young. They has place there called Big Rock and it was exactly that, a big rock. There were about 10 of us up there whne we heard a rustling and out comes a little black bear. We did not stick around to find out if its mother was with it.

Not much of an encounter but several of us were glad our mom's packed extra underwear.

[Hot Runr Guy]

What is the smallest caliber you trust to protect
yourself in the bear woods?

A 22 short should do it....think not...read on........

My personal favorite defense gun has
always been a Beretta Jetfire in 22 short. Over all the years I've been
hiking I never leave without it in my pocket. Of course we all know too
the first rule when hiking in the wilderness is to use the "Buddy
System." For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this it means you
NEVER hike alone. You bring a friend or companion, even an in-law, that
way if something happens there is someone to go get help. I remember
one time hiking with my brother-in-law in northern Alberta. Out of
nowhere came this huge brown bear and man was she mad. We must have been
near one of her cubs. Anyway, if I had not had my little Jetfire I'd
sure not be here today. Just one shot to my brother-in-law's knee cap
and I was able to escape by just walking at a brisk pace.

HRG

[Juls]

Okay, let me clarify this a little bit....

I am writing this article for kids, so I am not looking for any stories where the bear ends up dead or people get eaten...

Thanks,

Juls

[Juls]

Originally Posted by Rich S

Funny you mention it. I used to go to a capm when I was young. They has place there called Big Rock and it was exactly that, a big rock. There were about 10 of us up there whne we heard a rustling and out comes a little black bear. We did not stick around to find out if its mother was with it.

Not much of an encounter but several of us were glad our mom's packed extra underwear.

LOL...thanks Rich...

[karpbuster]

Why yes I have, New Mexico backpacking with my wife to the middle fork of the Gila river, we came up on a black bear on this big mesa. It stopped looked at us and took off. They can run fast. We waited a looooong time before we continued on. Also fishing Pine River in Manitoba, we came across a black bear and cub swimming from island to another. Gave it a wide berth.

[hommer23]

Juls, you can pm me if you want several stories about bear while hunting deer. I live in Michigan and we see bear every year while hunting. They go from cubs in the tree next to me to bear within arms length while walking with a light. Some of the best are just watching the eat apples on a bait pile.

[Buck Snort]

Yes, they don't like me very much. can we leave it at that? I've been close, too close to 4 that I can remember. It was a clincher each time.

I will say I've never had to shoot one or anything like that, but one of them I would have. I was walking home from my high school job at a bakery and that's all I'm saying about that.

I'll send you a PM when I get a chance.

[dewyg]

grew up in NW ontario. have lots of stories, been chased!!!!!!! Bluff charged at work last year trying to pick up garbage behind the long term care home that I run. You name it

[mdsn]

Have come in contact with black bears often. Last year we had 3 memorable encounters.
First was when my wife and I were running the dogs on the logging roads/trails on our property in Northern WI. We were on an ATV and the dogs were about 50 yards behind sniffing or rolling in something. All of a sudden my wife points to the left and there about 10 feet off the trail was a big male. He was a big boy. He just looked at us as I turned the ATV around to cut off the dogs before they came up to him. I got the dogs herded back to the cabin then came back in the truck and just watched him stroll along the trail turning over logs.
Second was just two nights later. Coming home from dinner we turned down the driveway and there were a cub and mother digging at an old stump. We watched them from about 15 feet (inside the truck) for about 5 minutes before they ambled down the driveway. Man, can those claws tear up a stump looking for grubs!
Third time was fishing on LOTW, came round an island and a small one was swimming across to another island. Watched him for a few minutes as he climbed out of the water, shook off and up the rock he went.
Lots of bears around...