I was in the same area gold prospecting a few days earlier. Beautiful rugged country. I should have carried a handgun
I was in the same area gold prospecting a few days earlier. Beautiful rugged country. I should have carried a handgun
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Right?
I know the northern high country in Arizona is very different than Phoenix, but still I tend to think of scorpions, not bears. At least wild cats maybe.
I knew a guy who was stationed at Elmendorf. He said when they took hikes, they carried 44 magnums, to deal with the bears.
I would never go out in any wooded or wilderness area, without my Kimber 1911 .45 ACP, Colt Trooper MkIII .357mag and my Alexander Arms AR-50 Beowulf w/ 425gr FMJs.
For gold? Did you find any?
I did a bunch of prospecting all around the north east (not a great place for gold, and nope, didnt find much, but a little- well under and ounce) and was usually miles back in the woods on a river or stream. Was always conscious of surroundings, but with th3 sound of the river, it was not hard for an animal, bear, couger, or rabid fox or coyote or whatever to creep up.
Closest I got to a bear when out prospecting was back near my car parked next to a hill. I had to relieve myself before I took off, and walked to the hill to do so. All of a sudden I heard some huffing, and teeth clacking from the other side of the hill- so I moved back to the car as quick as I could. Figured it was most likely a bear I had spooked.
I took a tour of gold mine country in Oregon. The guides were miners. They were all carrying.
Bears have been very active in the Bradshaw Mountains this month.
So far an adult bear was located at the Prescott Valley Safeway on June 4, one sitting on a patio on Spruce Mountain, an adult spotted at Goldwater Lake this week, and a cub checking a patio yesterday. All caught on camera. Also unconfirmed sightings in the Eastridge and Prescott Country Club neighborhoods.
My friend spotted a bear near Embry Riddle University earlier this year.
In addition a group of four mountain lions were roaming the Prescott neighborhoods and killing pets so AZFG located and killed all of them.
Have friends we visit every year who live on a mountain in Prescott and he carries a 9mm when he and his wife go for walks. Said there’s lots of bear, mountain lion etc. sightings. On another Prescott thread, they posted a black bear outside the Prescott Valley Safeway. My wife and I were at that Safeway in March just ahead of an 8” snowstorm.