Not to sound paranoid or anything, :help:
but what do you do if you're in "your spot" and a bear wanders into view?
Do you remain quiet and try to hide your presence? What happens if he continues closer to you, unaware of your presence?
Again, not trying to sound paranoid or anything, and I'll probably never need to use this information, but I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it...
And I think the experienced woodsman from OG are the right people to ask.
I don't want to be in the woods, presented with this scenario, and do the wrong thing, thinking I am doing the right thing. :bike2:
:TrainWreck1:
If its a sow with cubs. Get outta there. A bear by its self probably isn't a threat.If you feel uncomfortable about it go the other way.
I have walked the ridge in the dark to my hunting spot and found every large rock flipped over. Didn't give me an easy feeling.
Quote from: new2turkey on February 16, 2011, 10:34:15 AM
but what do you do if you're in "your spot" and a bear wanders into view?
Then "My Spot" just became "His Spot".... :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Grin it down like davey crocket!
I wouldn't do anything, even if it is a sow with cubs. She will likely wind you before she gets close enough to worry about. Just keep your gun on her. She will run if shot with any turkey load. This would be a worst case though. If you are uncomfortable, stand up and move around, they will go away.
Running would be a bad choice.
i had one at 15yards last year. looked to weigh around 200#. they will not bother you unless they have cubs and see you as a threat. most of the time they are more scared of you than you of them
I usually stand up on my hind legs and growl. Sadly everytime I do this, I get mauled.
Quote from: MarkJM on February 16, 2011, 10:52:59 AM
I usually stand up on my hind legs and growl. Sadly everytime I do this, I get mauled.
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
My buddies grandpa told us once..If you see a bear in the woods. Watch him. If he takes a step, you take a step. If he takes two steps, you take two steps. Then, when you get face to face with him, reach into your pants and rub some poop in his eyes. Then you run like heck. When we asked about the poop, he says ''don't worry, it will be there''.
On a serious note, a bear will more than likely run away when he sees you. Unless they are threatened, or as Red said, with cubs. In either case, you don't want to be around to see what's about to happen. Back out the way you came in, and with as little commotion as possible. Mike
Quote from: MarkJM on February 16, 2011, 10:52:59 AM
I usually stand up on my hind legs and growl. Sadly everytime I do this, I get mauled.
Now that's funny, right there.. :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
First thing I would do is crap my pants! (http://www.texas4x4.org/images/smilies/new_silly.gif)
I would probably stay still and let it wander by if it hasn't seen me. If it has seen me then it probably isn't sure what I am yet so it may come closer to investigate, in that case I would probably get up and try to scare it off. If it's aggressive hopefully the blast from a 3.5" will scare it off. Not sure if that is correct or not but probably it's what i would do. A few years ago my buddy and I were hunting and we heard what sounded like a rabbit squeal. Well it ended up being a lost bear cub running around. Anyway we had some turkeys gobbling and we set up on them. After about 5 minutes we saw a bear about 40 yards away scratching its back on a tree with no cub in sight. Luckily she didn't know we were there and we slowly backed out. Looking back it probably would have been better to find some different turkeys than set up around a lost cub. Luckily we weren't too far from the house so I could go change my pants.
Slowly walk away, and don't run. Animals run into each other all the time, and usually the trouble starts when one moves at the other. I think animals react to running by chasing. If you get a follow, get out of the open into heavy woods. In the open you are toast being you are slow compared to a Bear. In heavy woods, you have a much better chance of ditching him, and he can't run you down as easily. If he seems persistent, its time to get loud. Grab a stick, smack brush, yell a LOT, and keep walking. I don't know if animals can sense fear, but now is the time tototally get pissed off. You now have become maybe not as easy prey as you seemed, but being you are still moving away you are not showing aggression. It's like a dog growling a warning to back off. Remember Black Bears are excellent climbers, so that route isn't recommended except in a very last resort.
This is turning into a very interesting post. :popcorn: :popcorn:
I would and have watched them. They are a cool animal and fun to hunt. When I am in the woods and see one, I just sit back and watch the show.
Glad we don't have bears around here. On the other hand, I would probably trade the rattlesnakes and water moccasins for a few bears.
I'd do what he usually does in the woods, then takes his picture and go on about my way.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/olesixbeards/DSC01724.jpg)
Usually like to come at them like a spidermonkey with guns a blazin!! :z-guntootsmiley: :z-guntootsmiley: :z-guntootsmiley:
Seriously I ran into 5 in one day last year up here in WI they see you they run away, besides odds are your carrying a shotgun he gets a little outta hand....... :fud:
I take a spider monkey on a leash to distract the bear until I fumble around and find my lethal shell (for the bear). We had two bears attack people here in WA (east side) last year and my intent is to not be number 3. I have run across bears in the wild and so far they have left me alone. But you can keep your snakes as I do not have enough shells with me to shoot them all!! North of here they use whistles to let the bears know someone is around and that seems to work but for me it is dead coyote or buck shot just in case and I hope I never have to use it.
CRAP YOUR PANTS??????
Quote from: moore on February 16, 2011, 11:55:39 AM
if your unarmed they say you should get in the fetal postion and act like your dead.
And then crap your pants and hope the smell scares him away! (http://www.texas4x4.org/images/smilies/fart.gif)
Quote from: bird on February 16, 2011, 11:57:12 AM
Quote from: moore on February 16, 2011, 11:55:39 AM
if your unarmed they say you should get in the fetal postion and act like your dead.
And then crap your pants and hope the smell scares him away! (http://www.texas4x4.org/images/smilies/fart.gif)
:TooFunny:
My brother came across a bear while hiking one time. Ran away throwing the PB&J sandwhiches he had in his backpack on the ground. :TooFunny:
I would stroke out, after I craped my pants because we don't have enough bears in Alabama to worry about
Man I'm glad I live in Indiana!! I don't know how you guys go into the woods in the AM before the sun is up knowing there are bears around!
Quote from: Shaw24 on February 16, 2011, 12:20:28 PM
Man I'm glad I live in Indiana!! I don't know how you guys go into the woods in the AM before the sun is up knowing there are bears around!
I use to feel very comfortable walking in and out the woods here in Iowa while bow hunting years ago. I always figured the worst thing I would ever run into in the dark here in Iowa would be a coon that couldn't get out of my way fast enough. Until one night as I was walking up a CRP hill back to my truck I got an uneasy feeling about something, so I turned around and there I see a cougar about 6 feet long dark grey in color and a 3 foot long tail sneaking down the grassy hillside right into the trees from which I just left. I was wondering why I hadn't seen any deer all evening long and that pretty much answered my question right there. I wonder how long he had been sitting up there on the hillside in the grass watching me with my bow in my hand.
On a more serious note, I have been charged by a bear before. I was about 11 years old out in the woods by myself. My heart raced so fast I didnt even know what to do. I just stood there and screamed like a little school girl. The sound of my peircing scream thankfully made the bear stop and turn the other way. he was about 10 yards away when he stopped for 3 seconds then ran. So I guess screaming like a school girl helps.
Quote from: MarkJM on February 16, 2011, 12:37:25 PM
So I guess screaming like a school girl helps.
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Quote from: MarkJM on February 16, 2011, 12:37:25 PM
On a more serious note, I have been charged by a bear before. I was about 11 years old out in the woods by myself. My heart raced so fast I didnt even know what to do. I just stood there and screamed like a little school girl. The sound of my peircing scream thankfully made the bear stop and turn the other way. he was about 10 yards away when he stopped for 3 seconds then ran. So I guess screaming like a school girl helps.
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
I just laughed out loud at work. Good thing I'm on lunch.
Quote from: sugarray on February 16, 2011, 12:39:58 PM
Quote from: MarkJM on February 16, 2011, 12:37:25 PM
On a more serious note, I have been charged by a bear before. I was about 11 years old out in the woods by myself. My heart raced so fast I didnt even know what to do. I just stood there and screamed like a little school girl. The sound of my peircing scream thankfully made the bear stop and turn the other way. he was about 10 yards away when he stopped for 3 seconds then ran. So I guess screaming like a school girl helps.
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
I just laughed out loud at work. Good thing I'm on lunch.
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: Yeah same here. This site is gonna get me fired
Quote from: MarkJM on February 16, 2011, 12:37:25 PM
On a more serious note, I have been charged by a bear before. I was about 11 years old out in the woods by myself. My heart raced so fast I didnt even know what to do. I just stood there and screamed like a little school girl. The sound of my peircing scream thankfully made the bear stop and turn the other way. he was about 10 yards away when he stopped for 3 seconds then ran. So I guess screaming like a school girl helps.
Thank you for the laugh MarkJM.. I literally laughed out loud for a good minute.
And thank you to all who ahve posted... Seems like everyone is either A...
Going to act agressive and scare the bear...
B...
Back out slowly and quietly...
Or c...
Crap their pants. :TooFunny:
I live in Maine, and we have a decent amount of bears. Not as bad as New Hampshire though.
heard Jim Shockey say once that the reason he always wore black while bear hunting is so he looked like a bigger bear.
Quote from: MarkJM on February 16, 2011, 12:37:25 PM
On a more serious note, I have been charged by a bear before. I was about 11 years old out in the woods by myself. My heart raced so fast I didnt even know what to do. I just stood there and screamed like a little school girl. The sound of my peircing scream thankfully made the bear stop and turn the other way. he was about 10 yards away when he stopped for 3 seconds then ran. So I guess screaming like a school girl helps.
;D Yep, you handled it correctly. Good move :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
(http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab208/bigwayne17/2010%20deer%20season/PICT0198.jpg)
I probably get 200-300 pictures like this every deer season. Eastern NC is full of bear. And some big ones....
Quote from: bigwayne17 on February 16, 2011, 01:19:24 PM
(http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab208/bigwayne17/2010%20deer%20season/PICT0198.jpg)
I probably get 200-300 pictures like this every deer season. Eastern NC is full of bear. And some big ones....
:o :o :o :o
I'm just hoping I don't walk into something like that in the woods....
i plead the 5th
Quote from: bird on February 16, 2011, 12:34:41 PM
Quote from: Shaw24 on February 16, 2011, 12:20:28 PM
Man I'm glad I live in Indiana!! I don't know how you guys go into the woods in the AM before the sun is up knowing there are bears around!
I use to feel very comfortable walking in and out the woods here in Iowa while bow hunting years ago. I always figured the worst thing I would ever run into in the dark here in Iowa would be a coon that couldn't get out of my way fast enough. Until one night as I was walking up a CRP hill back to my truck I got an uneasy feeling about something, so I turned around and there I see a cougar about 6 feet long dark grey in color and a 3 foot long tail sneaking down the grassy hillside right into the trees from which I just left. I was wondering why I hadn't seen any deer all evening long and that pretty much answered my question right there. I wonder how long he had been sitting up there on the hillside in the grass watching me with my bow in my hand.
Dang man! That would give me the chills! I would probably be looking around and behind me so much I would be running into trees all the time :lol:
Scream bloody murder, run, then check my paints!!! I don't do bears!
I do not know how to put the link on, Last year I was hunting Turkeys and simpzenith was with me videoing the hunt, We had a bear come down the fence line and come right into our woods. He sat down about 10 feet from us, I was not worried as Shane was next to me and I had the shotgun, Shane went boo or something like that and the bear left.
Shane has it on video on his Turkey Hunt Public Land.
I have never been bothered by bears, they usually leave you alone, and if you are Turkey Hunting you have a shotgun with a few rounds just wait until you see the whites of their eyes and shoot.
Quote from: bird on February 16, 2011, 11:00:06 AM
First thing I would do is crap my pants! (http://www.texas4x4.org/images/smilies/new_silly.gif)
x2 :z-winnersmiley:
a** and elbows....
If you come to CO in Sept, I know one surefire way to avoid seeing bears.............buy an archery bear tag and you'll never see one. Its been working well for me.
This is some info I just found on the web... Stating that bear mace is significantly more effective than shooting at them with a gun....
"In fact, studies have shown that bear spray is better than a gun in deterring bear attacks. Bear spray caused bears to stop and straight out flee over 92% of the time, and this included examples of bears foraging an area for food and leaving the entire area. Guns only worked 67% of the time, meaning one third of the time the bullet wounds actually made the bears MORE aggressive."
Opinions? Haha sorry guys... But do you really want to shoot at a bear with a 33% chance of making it more aggressive?
Quote from: bird on February 16, 2011, 12:38:32 PM
Quote from: MarkJM on February 16, 2011, 12:37:25 PM
So I guess screaming like a school girl helps.
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
:TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Way better than one crapping one's pants!
Quote from: new2turkey on February 16, 2011, 04:00:47 PM
This is some info I just found on the web... Stating that bear mace is significantly more effective than shooting at them with a gun....
"In fact, studies have shown that bear spray is better than a gun in deterring bear attacks. Bear spray caused bears to stop and straight out flee over 92% of the time, and this included examples of bears foraging an area for food and leaving the entire area. Guns only worked 67% of the time, meaning one third of the time the bullet wounds actually made the bears MORE aggressive."
Opinions? Haha sorry guys... But do you really want to shoot at a bear with a 33% chance of making it more aggressive?
I read where a tour guide was walking with some folks and when asked what bear poop looked like, he said ''It is a large pile that has cloth and buttons in it and it smells like pepper''.. As in spray.. :icon_thumright:
Let it pass if far enough away..If there down wind most likely they will spook and run away.
About 5 years ago while turkey hunting in Susquehanna Co. Pa. Ware there's lots of turkey........ and Bears!
One morning I started my journey at dark thirty. I had a good half hour walk before it started to get light. As I made my way down the face of the mountain. The sky began to lighten. That is when I heard the first gobbles ;D. I new I had to hot foot it down towards the birds. I didn't want to get caught slipping through the woods as it got lighter. That's when it happened! right in front of me no more than 40 yards away I had treed two baby cubs. With the wind in face. The mother then stood up and tried to suck me through her nose as she eyeballed me :help: You talk about a puckerfactoring experience :o..I slowly eased my gun off my shoulder (just in case) as I began to moon walk it outta there. Keeping my eyes on her all the way out.
I was lucky that day! ;D
O-Yea... the turkeys got away too..
I run into bears every spring. For the most part they go the other way as soon as they get wind of you. Do not rely on them seeing you as they have very poor eyesight. I have walked into a sow and cubs on several occasions and they clear out pretty quickly. If they get to close for comfort, fire a shot into the ground, they will quickly move out.
I live in eastern Tenn. They are some bears here. From experience I'll tell ya what to do. They say not to climb a tree, but that's the best thing to do. Because when it climbs up after ya his face is the only thing in front of you. Perfect place to put 3.5 between his eyes, the good thing about that is if it don't work, pull your paints down an fell his eyes full of crap noway yo miss, it works every time.. Hope this HELPS...LOL...
If I lived in bear country. I would just take Jay with me. I know they won't catch me for sure. I'll make sure to throw a steak in his vest for him too. :TooFunny:
Lol thank you for all of the replies.
All you have to do is out run your hunting partner. You'll be home free. :TooFunny:
Quote from: Hognutz on February 16, 2011, 10:58:08 AM
My buddies grandpa told us once..If you see a bear in the woods. Watch him. If he takes a step, you take a step. If he takes two steps, you take two steps. Then, when you get face to face with him, reach into your pants and rub some poop in his eyes. Then you run like heck. When we asked about the poop, he says ''don't worry, it will be there''.
On a serious note, a bear will more than likely run away when he sees you. Unless they are threatened, or as Red said, with cubs. In either case, you don't want to be around to see what's about to happen. Back out the way you came in, and with as little commotion as possible. Mike
:agreed:
Quote from: Bonjour on February 16, 2011, 06:47:31 PM
If I lived in bear country. I would just take Jay with me. I know they won't catch me for sure. I'll make sure to throw a steak in his vest for him too. :TooFunny:
You could be in trouble Ryan if that hoverround has nitrous attached! :TooFunny:
Quote from: chatterbox on February 16, 2011, 07:46:04 PM
Quote from: Bonjour on February 16, 2011, 06:47:31 PM
If I lived in bear country. I would just take Jay with me. I know they won't catch me for sure. I'll make sure to throw a steak in his vest for him too. :TooFunny:
You could be in trouble Ryan if that hoverround has nitrous attached! :TooFunny:
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Shoot your buddy in the leg and run like the wind. :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
:smiley-char092:
:emoticon-cartoon-012:
:TooFunny: :TooFunny:
some friend! :TooFunny:
Quote from: new2turkey on February 16, 2011, 04:00:47 PM
This is some info I just found on the web... Stating that bear mace is significantly more effective than shooting at them with a gun....
"In fact, studies have shown that bear spray is better than a gun in deterring bear attacks. Bear spray caused bears to stop and straight out flee over 92% of the time, and this included examples of bears foraging an area for food and leaving the entire area. Guns only worked 67% of the time, meaning one third of the time the bullet wounds actually made the bears MORE aggressive."
Opinions? Haha sorry guys... But do you really want to shoot at a bear with a 33% chance of making it more aggressive?
i gots lotta shells of all kinds
Quote from: bassmaster1228 on February 16, 2011, 10:06:26 PM
Quote from: new2turkey on February 16, 2011, 04:00:47 PM
This is some info I just found on the web... Stating that bear mace is significantly more effective than shooting at them with a gun....
"In fact, studies have shown that bear spray is better than a gun in deterring bear attacks. Bear spray caused bears to stop and straight out flee over 92% of the time, and this included examples of bears foraging an area for food and leaving the entire area. Guns only worked 67% of the time, meaning one third of the time the bullet wounds actually made the bears MORE aggressive."
Opinions? Haha sorry guys... But do you really want to shoot at a bear with a 33% chance of making it more aggressive?
i gots lotta shells of all kinds
you get 'em bassmaster!! :whip2:
there is bears in south alabama. and i am prepared
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/bassmaster1228/trai%20cams%202010-2011/SUNP0133.jpg)
Haha I'm hopin I don't have to deal with any bears this year, not overly concerned though.
It all depends on my mood......if I dont care about noise I will throw a water bottle or at least a stick at it and curse the animal. If I'm wanting to be quiet I will curse the thing in my mind and watch them. I bet I had at least 10 close encounters (less than 30 yards) on foot with bears this deer season.
10 encounters? :emoticon-cartoon-012:
Quote from: swamp_bird89 on February 17, 2011, 05:55:33 PM
It all depends on my mood......if I dont care about noise I will throw a water bottle or at least a stick at it and curse the animal. If I'm wanting to be quiet I will curse the thing in my mind and watch them. I bet I had at least 10 close encounters (less than 30 yards) on foot with bears this deer season.
note to self: dont hunt in fl
Quote from: bassmaster1228 on February 16, 2011, 10:06:26 PM
Quote from: new2turkey on February 16, 2011, 04:00:47 PM
This is some info I just found on the web... Stating that bear mace is significantly more effective than shooting at them with a gun....
"In fact, studies have shown that bear spray is better than a gun in deterring bear attacks. Bear spray caused bears to stop and straight out flee over 92% of the time, and this included examples of bears foraging an area for food and leaving the entire area. Guns only worked 67% of the time, meaning one third of the time the bullet wounds actually made the bears MORE aggressive."
Opinions? Haha sorry guys... But do you really want to shoot at a bear with a 33% chance of making it more aggressive?
i gots lotta shells of all kinds
:you_rock: :you_rock:
Quote from: antnye on February 16, 2011, 07:38:46 PM
All you have to do is out run your hunting partner. You'll be home free. :TooFunny:
Stinks for me. My hunting partner ran track in highschool and runs like a freaking deer!
Quote from: woodchip on February 17, 2011, 10:25:07 PM
Quote from: antnye on February 16, 2011, 07:38:46 PM
All you have to do is out run your hunting partner. You'll be home free. :TooFunny:
Stinks for me. My hunting partner ran track in highschool and runs like a freaking deer!
Trip him... Just pray he didn't do hurdles as well.. :TooFunny:
Quote from: new2turkey on February 16, 2011, 04:00:47 PM
This is some info I just found on the web... Stating that bear mace is significantly more effective than shooting at them with a gun....
"In fact, studies have shown that bear spray is better than a gun in deterring bear attacks. Bear spray caused bears to stop and straight out flee over 92% of the time, and this included examples of bears foraging an area for food and leaving the entire area. Guns only worked 67% of the time, meaning one third of the time the bullet wounds actually made the bears MORE aggressive."
Opinions? Haha sorry guys... But do you really want to shoot at a bear with a 33% chance of making it more aggressive?
Now think about the kind of folks that are participating in a "study" like that...
The majority of folks that are willing to actually sit down and do a study like that are hippies and tree huggers out walking nature trails or bird watching---
Im skeptical of a man that tells me he's more confident stopping a bear with a spray can instead of a supped up scattergun.
If a bear comes at me, Im pouring the lead to him and hoping for the best cause my big isnt going to win a foot race....
Opinions? Haha sorry guys... But do you really want to shoot at a bear with a 33% chance of making it more aggressive?
[/quote]
1 shot 33%
2 shots then must be 66%
3 shots then he's 99% dead. My sbe2 only holds 3 3" shells so reload!
I would get outta there. He would never catch me cause he'd be slippin in my sh**
Since we are having fun now this is what I would do and did. Then show the new rug to his buddies so they know where they will end up. Fourth shot broke his neck don't want to talk about the other three but there is some credence to pi__ one off for sure.
[attachment deleted by admin]
Quote from: new2turkey on February 16, 2011, 04:00:47 PM
This is some info I just found on the web... Stating that bear mace is significantly more effective than shooting at them with a gun....
"In fact, studies have shown that bear spray is better than a gun in deterring bear attacks. Bear spray caused bears to stop and straight out flee over 92% of the time, and this included examples of bears foraging an area for food and leaving the entire area. Guns only worked 67% of the time, meaning one third of the time the bullet wounds actually made the bears MORE aggressive."
Opinions? Haha sorry guys... But do you really want to shoot at a bear with a 33% chance of making it more aggressive?
With my luck I would blast myself in the face with the spray :TrainWreck1: I have seen a few out hunting in my neck of the woods but they always took off when I let them know I was there.
I had one that I guess to be about 250#'s or so last year during Muzzleloader season lay down in my corn pile and have breakfast about 30 yards away from me. I wasn't nervous or worried at all until I took out my phone and snapped a picture. My phone makes a loud shutter sound when it takes a picture, like a real camera, and it seemed to echo through the entire woods. The bear instantely looked my direction and I thought "oh crap". But then continued to eat for another 10 minutes or so and never gave me anymore thought. First and only bear I've seen while hunting, but I'll probably carry my sidearm this year while bowhunting just incase. :z-guntootsmiley:
Here is the best advice I have seen.
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/timbrhuntr/bear20warning.jpg)
Last May me and my Springer Spaniel had a 500+ pounder cross our path about 25yds in front of us. He just stopped and looked at us. I froze in my tracks and my dog chased him like a lunatic. He came back in one piece (my dog) about 1 minute later. I havent seen one hunting yet, but I know it's going to happen soon. Seems like more bears are coming up from north Jersey every year. I saw five in person last year. 2 in the woods and 3 walking around my complex. I think I'll have to start carrying my .45 Colt with hardcast rounds..
Quote from: timbrhuntr on February 18, 2011, 04:00:44 PM
Here is the best advice I have seen.
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/timbrhuntr/bear20warning.jpg)
That's awesome! :TooFunny:
Quote from: Snoody Bastid on February 19, 2011, 01:09:30 AM
Last May me and my Springer Spaniel had a 500+ pounder cross our path about 25yds in front of us. He just stopped and looked at us. I froze in my tracks and my dog chased him like a lunatic. He came back in one piece (my dog) about 1 minute later. I havent seen one hunting yet, but I know it's going to happen soon. Seems like more bears are coming up from north Jersey every year. I saw five in person last year. 2 in the woods and 3 walking around my complex. I think I'll have to start carrying my .45 Colt with hardcast rounds..
This year I want to get a sidearm as well.
Three 3 yrs ago I had a very large cinnamon colored bore 8 yrds from me while turkey hunting in Colorado. He came in upwind and walked past at 8 yrds then caught my scent downwind and was gone. Whole encounter was probably less than a minute but felt quite a bit longer than that. I sat very still but did have the safety off in case I needed to make a very loud noise!!! Had no intention of shooting him. Don't think I could have gotten an accurate shot off with as fast as they run. I felt reasonably calm but not sure I would've felt the same if it had been a sow with cubs.