70 lbs bear-—
A large German Shepherd.
.
I live on the edge of the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas and see a Black Bear from time to time I will be more mindful now.
He was attacked by a bear and succumbed to his injuries, yes? If he died on the spot, this journalist could have written the same thing. Idiot..
At 72, one is not likely to survive an attack by any feral beast, two or four legged. A simple handgun can be a life extender.
Black on white crime.
It’s time for a lot of things to become afraid of firearms again.
Used Rocks? What the hell is that. That’s why I carry everyday, all day and with in arms reach while I sleep.
Had a big black bear walk up to the sliding glass door to my patio at noon a few weeks ago. That was a surprise! They sometimes show up at night but not during the day.
I love and respect wildlife, even predators.
BUT... I don’t want to live in the midst of them. Our forefathers conquered the land and, yes, that meant eliminating wildlife that were a real threat to humans.
Where I live (Southeast Alabama) we don’t have bears and I’d rather not have them. However, black bears have been expanding their range out of the Appalachians and have now conquered Northeastern Alabama from Huntsville to Fort Paine. We also have a remnant of Florida black bears in the Mobile river delta. I used to teach at Auburn University and a friend there who is a biologist told me bears should be down this way by 2040 or so.
I often see videos on youtube where people are filming the “cute” bears on the porch or patios eating from their bird feeders. They’re NOT cute. Would you let your child or pets out in your backyard if there were occasionally bears on your porch?
They need to be instilled with the fear of men. Get a big dog. Also, shoot if they threaten you, and the law should allow you—not some judge, cop or wildlife enforcer—decide if you’re threatened!
It’s them again Yogi
That’s a small bear... odd attack to say the least.
Another incident very recently near this attack, a bear harassed some campers overnight.
There are a lot of small lightweight handguns that would be very useful in teaching some bears a little bit of fear.
Since we can’t purchase artillery simulators - sheesh. Those would be effective, and fun!
I regularly walk our road in rural WV for exercise. Generally before sunrise.
Last week, work got in the way and I did my usual walk in the evening just before dark. Saw two black bear, probably juveniles, right next to the road. They bolted pretty quick - before I could get a pic.
We see a bear about once every 3 or so years and it’s usually a fleeting glance.
Thought about carrying my pistol on my morning walk as a result, but thought better of it. Now I’m not so sure. I hate to expose it to the weather and sweat for nothing. I guess the bears should be hibernated soon enough...
Also, if I don’t have time to get out my phone and get a pic, chances are I’m not going to be able to retrieve my pistol any faster.
“A 72-year-old man, Vernon Patton, was working on a gravel road with his tractor when a 70-pound juvenile male black bear attacked him. “
He may have never seen/heard the bear coming.