I live next to a state WMA, and walk there most days, with my dog, Spot. I keep a .357 on my hip. Yesterday, I saw Spot stiffen, and leap forward. I followed his line to the 200# (+/) black bear, which stood, then turned and ran down the mountain, out of my sight. Spot chased, as I called him back (smart/stupid dalmation). I didn't hear anything for almost a minute, but Spot came bounding back up the hill.
I took the safety strap off the pistol, when Spot took off. I wished I'd had a BIGGER gun with me! I prefer to even the odds against a bear! In more than five years of walking those hills, that's my first one! I've seen lots of bear shit, but that's the first time I saw a BIG black mass!
Spot's a good dog, but stupid sometimes, like the rest of us guys!!!
