There seems to be so many more animals in the woods these days.
I remember camping trips in Boy Scouts. The Scoutmaster didn’t bring any weapon. Our campfire kept any night critters away.
We never thought about encountering a bobcat, bear, hog or other dangerous animal. They just weren’t seen in the woods 45 years ago.
Their numbers have increased a lot. I’m much more alert on backpacking trips and have a handgun & bear spray with me.
That’s not how I remember it at all. 
I have gone hiking in various places where there were, at least potentially, bears, hogs, pumas, leopards, wolves, moose, jackals, snakes, jellyfish, sharks, you name it. Never thought about harming the wildlife - it’s their turf. Note that in places like U.S. National Parks weapons, including bear spray, are often prohibited, and even if you are allowed to transport firearms into the park (say in your car or where carrying guns is permitted) I guarantee it is 100% not allowed to shoot anything.
The reality is, most animals are instinctually afraid of humans, for good reason. Dangerous situations, like this whole bear thing, are mostly precipitated by conflicts with humans; in this case they were inadvertently feeding the bear, so of course it is going to get used to it and hang around. If it has developed into a problem, that is an unfortunate isolated incident, but it does not mean we should go back to a global policy of accelerating species’ extinction. Will be interesting to see how the public reacts now that wolves are coming back to Western Europe and other animals similarly regain some of their historical ranges.
Just take basic precautions in the woods: for instance, maybe avoid camping out in the man-eating tiger park (or going there at all without a ranger). As for bears, keep all your food in a bear-proof canister and leave it way the hell away from your camp at night. And go with a couple of friends.
I don’t mind seeing the feral hogs die. I’m immune to the cuteness of Bambi. Deer are dangerous. I’ve had a near death car vs deer accident. But this Bear I hate to see killed, really. I’ve had time to ponder my interaction with it. I may have over-reacted. My fear got the better of me.
I wish our F&G people had a better option than a kill permit. Alas, they didn’t offer one.
I’ll feel real guilt about it’s death. (:()
Seems like Fish & Game officers could have sedated and relocated the bear. But that’s more dangerous and difficult to accomplish than issuing a kill permit.
Bears aren’t an endangered species. It’s unfortunate that it got too close to a populated area. Bears are very unpredictable and dangerous.
I’d reluctantly do exactly the same thing. I wouldn’t share my property with a bear. My family comes first and has to be protected.
No Bears on the field cameras last night. Deer hunting is winding down this year so I have hope the woods surrounding our property and stateland abutting us will calm down. If Mr. Bear is asleep somewhere, when he wakes maybe he’ll walk on.
I can but hope.
Well, the traditional answer to what a bear does in the woods is “yes” but I’d bet you came pretty close to making “does Beck do that in the woods” being “yes” as well!!
Never seen a bear up close - or at a distance, either - but when we were in Glacier National Park 30+ years back we bought strings of bear bells (a leather thong with several large “jingle bells”). The idea being, that these would make noise as we walked and this would suggest to nearby wildlife that “anything making THAT much noise is perhaps something I’d better avoid, even if I have huge claws and fangs”. Or at least the sound would make it less likely that you’d surprise the bear by walking up on it suddenly.
While on one of our hikes, we caught a strong smell, and after a minute or two saw a large, rather fresh-looking pile of bear poo. On the trail - which suggests that the answer to “does a bear shit in the woods” is “well, on the trail actually”. We’d seen lots of signs around asking that people report bear sightings to rangers so they had an idea whether bears were frequenting hiking areas - so we stopped at the next ranger station
And evidently they do have a form specifically for bear scat (versus the bear itself). She had to use the regular form, not the scat form. And she said that her colleagues were very dismissive of the bear bell concept - but she said she always wears them and has never encountered a bear, while they have, so there you are - sample size of two (her and us). Oh, and she verified from our description that the droppings were most likely from a bear.
After all that long-windedness, maybe get some bear bells to wear while walking? There are contradictory studies, but they might make for a pleasant accompiment to your walk.
I have a couple clangy bells attached to a carabiner. I have it hooked on a belt loop. I put several jingly bells on an elastic and have been putting it on Betsy the Beagles neck.
We are an assault on the senses out walking.
Near to killed Travis Coates. Would have done so too, if Old Yeller hadn’t held them off.
I woke up early because cats were running up and down the stairs, screaming “breakfast time is nigh” Ugh.
As I only laid down at 4am, I wasn’t happy with this rude awakening.
Stumbled down. Fed the offending beasts.
Decided I needed a bottle of water. Oh, crap. I bought a case but they never got past the deck.
I went out on the deck to get the water.
I looked at tree line as I walked out. Uh-oh something’s moving. A big black shape. I froze. (In more than one way, chilly morn in the southland)
Just 2 days ago I shot another feral pig in that very spot. Bully shot from my deck. Only I’m not armed. What to do, beck, what to do?
I’m fairly certain it’s the bear. I know why he’s there. 2 pecan trees. The ground is littered with pecans.
I slip back in the house. And watch. Got my binoculars and look.
I never went after the gun. I never could have gotten a sure shot, anyway. He ambled on after, about a half hour.
I know where the trail cam is going.
Little close to the house. :eek:
Can the kids help you get the pecans up off the ground?
Sunny-girl, too much area.
We used to enjoy watching deer and squirrels compete for pecans.
Now it’s bear and feral hogs:smack:
Mr.Wrekker is gonna scrape them away with the tractor.
Goodness be on you fine lady, thine estates doth be a veritable buffet for all creatures indeed, both unwanted and for those that thy family desires to observe in their rightful surround as nature designed them.
ok yeah that was a little weird, but so what? It was fun to type
Tractor works.
Yup. Use it on the bears and the hogs.
Hey, Beck. Have you had a bad cough lately? Have you had any ursine visitors at your window offering you cough syrup?
Funny!
So here’s the update on Mr.Scary-bear:
Mr.Wrekker has been tracking him for days. He’s been on the game cameras 5 or 6 times. And visually sighted by me 3 times. Mr.Wrekker has seen him as well. The game warden is placing bait out for the Bear trying to entice him over to the State land.
We’re watching the dog kennel and our burn barrel closely. Mr.Wrekker has removed his deer feeders. He’s plowed under the scattered pecans under the trees. So we’re not attracting the Bear as best we can. I hope I appear as non-food when I’m out.
It’s been very cold the last 24 hours. I think the Bear is asleep somewhere. Crossed fingers.
ETA- Bear the cat is very interested when talk about Mr. Scary-bear. He thinks we’re talking about him. He hissed at Mr.Wrekker yesterday. He doesn’t like to be talked about in these terms. I guess. What a Cat!!
You need to have a talk with Mr. Wrekker about what to do with the bear carcass should the need to shoot it happen. In front of Bear The Cat. While sharpening a knife. Almost guarantee Mr. Bear the Cat Wrekker will be the perfect loving bed and foot warming loving snuggly friendly caring nuzzling purring angel EVAR!! for at least 2 days