A close encounter of the wild kind....

[GMichael]

I stopped by PA last night to see if our electric was hooked up yet. I walked around the corner of the house. My first thought was, "wow, one of my new neighbors must have a very large dog who got loose." Then he stood up on his hind legs. OK, it's not a dog. It's a 6+ foot, 300+ pound black bear that I am now nose to nose with. We both freeze and stand there looking at each other. He was only 2 or 3 feet away at the most. I hadn't panicked yet, but the crazy voices inside my head decided that this was a good time for a discussion.
First voice: (I don't think this guy gets it yet. Maybe he was still in friendly dog mode.) What a beautiful animal. Look at how clean and shiny his fur is. And he seems scared. Maybe I should talk to him and pet him.
Second voice: Are you freaking crazy!? Look at the size of those claws. How'sabout you get your @ss out of here and take me with you.
Third voice: Don't run. He'll chase you down.
Fourth voice: Don't look him in the eye. He'll think it's a challenge.
I wasn't able to look away. Maybe part of me thought that if this guy was going to rip me apart, I should watch. But I did manage to slowly take a half step back with my right foot. This is when the bear turned and ran into the woods. Seemed like a great idea to me, so I ran the other way. My car was about 10 or 15 feet away. I got back to it in what seemed like one giant leap. Got in the car and started it. Threw it in reverse and stomped on the gas. So now the wheels are spinning, but I'm not moving. Oh, the parking brake. Take it off. Flying down the driveway I noticed that the bear had circled around and was now in the road watching me. I put the car in drive and slowly pull back up the driveway. The bear runs into the woods across the street from me and keeps going till he's out of sight. After a few minutes I decide to go into the house. Get out of the car and walk around that same corner again. As I'm going up the stairs to the deck one of my voices starts talking again. I think it was voice number 2. He said, "Now you're out in the open. You're trapped. You better get in the house fast. What's that noise? Is that him? HURRY!" My hands were shaking as I tried to get the key in the door. I must have paced around in that empty house for 20 minutes going from window to window looking for another bear. Some girl walked past the house with her small dog on a leash. I stepped out the front door and told her about the bear. She didn't seem concerned at all and kept walking. She must have thought, "Another stupid New Yorker who's never seen a bear."

WHAT HAVE I DONE?

[Bernd]

Don't say you didn't like my House warming present.:hand:

Peace

Bernd:16:

[GMichael]

Don't say you didn't like my House warming present.:hand:

Peace

Bernd:16:

Oh I loved it. A little adrenaline never hurt anyone.:out:

Thanks,:ciappa:

[ForeverAutumn]

Where the hell was your camera man?! You show us a gazillion pictures of the new house in all its stages, but no bear pictures? :frown2:

You should talk to some of your new neighbours to see whether that's a common occurance. I don't think that bears typically attack humans unless they feel threatened or there's something wrong with them. You should probably notify the local authorities anyway, just to let them know that there's a bear in the vicinity so that they can check it out and make sure that everyone stays safe.

I remember, several years ago, when my cousin lived in B.C. just 10 minutes away from a very large provincial park. They were woken up one morning by their dogs who were barking like crazy. When they got up to investigate, they found a Mama bear and Baby up in their tree. They called the RCMP who came, along with Park Rangers, to tranquilize the bears and take them back into the park. Your bear may just have wandered off from somewhere and may need help getting back home.

Oh yeah...HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KaiWinters]

"Some" bears are becoming more accustomed to the presence of humans for several reasons...dwindling habitat and easy pickings...mmmm love those Boston Market leftovers don't you BooBoo.
Acting calm rather than aggressive or manic and backing away slowly is the prescribed way to handle the situation you found yourself in but these are "wild" animals and they seldom read the same books or watch the same shows on DiscoveryHD or Animal Planet so it is a coin toss.

Basically you did the right thing and also got lucky.
You should have called the Police to report the animal.
No one should want a bear hanging around their "hood". It is a wild animal...third time I have said that...and should be in its' element not ours...that is very dangerous for all.

[noddin0ff]

I hear that they never forget a face...

[bobsticks]

Whenever camping I use Big Black Mariah off of Tom Waits' Big Time album. It seems to be very effective bear repellent...

[GMichael]

Where the hell was your camera man?! You show us a gazillion pictures of the new house in all its stages, but no bear pictures? :frown2:

You should talk to some of your new neighbours to see whether that's a common occurance. I don't think that bears typically attack humans unless they feel threatened or there's something wrong with them. You should probably notify the local authorities anyway, just to let them know that there's a bear in the vicinity so that they can check it out and make sure that everyone stays safe.

I remember, several years ago, when my cousin lived in B.C. just 10 minutes away from a very large provincial park. They were woken up one morning by their dogs who were barking like crazy. When they got up to investigate, they found a Mama bear and Baby up in their tree. They called the RCMP who came, along with Park Rangers, to tranquilize the bears and take them back into the park. Your bear may just have wandered off from somewhere and may need help getting back home.

Oh yeah...HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, didn't think of the camera at the time. I could take pics of the brown spot on my shorts if you like. :blush2:

Everyone in this town has bear shaped mailboxes, statues, welcome mats etc. They even have special days to celebrate. (Bear day?) I get the feeling that this is common. The lady I talked to didn't seem to care.

It's good to be alive!

[GMichael]

"Some" bears are becoming more accustomed to the presence of humans for several reasons...dwindling habitat and easy pickings...mmmm love those Boston Market leftovers don't you BooBoo.
Acting calm rather than aggressive or manic and backing away slowly is the prescribed way to handle the situation you found yourself in but these are "wild" animals and they seldom read the same books or watch the same shows on DiscoveryHD or Animal Planet so it is a coin toss.

Basically you did the right thing and also got lucky.
You should have called the Police to report the animal.
No one should want a bear hanging around their "hood". It is a wild animal...third time I have said that...and should be in its' element not ours...that is very dangerous for all.

I did see another bear a few weeks ago, while I was driving. But it was several miles out of town. Thought I'd be safe(r) sense I'm right in town.

[GMichael]

I hear that they never forget a face...

That's fair. I'll never forget his either. :eek:

[GMichael]

Whenever camping I use Big Black Mariah off of Tom Waits' Big Time album. It seems to be very effective bear repellent...

I'll have to pick that up.

[noddin0ff]

I bet he circled around so he could get your license number too!

[GMichael]

Due to prompting from you guys, and people I work with, I called the local authorities about the bear. They asked if the bear was destroying anything or hurting anyone. I said no. "Then leave the bears alone. They have to survive too. Just make sure that you don't leave any garbage outside." "Where did you see him?" "Oh, yeah. There are plenty of bears over in that area. Just leave them alone."

Okay dokey pal. You've got a deal.

[L.J.]

:eek:...................Well I guess it's OK to laugh now :lol:

[ForeverAutumn]

Due to prompting from you guys, and people I work with, I called the local authorities about the bear. They asked if the bear was destroying anything or hurting anyone. I said no. "Then leave the bears alone. They have to survive too. Just make sure that you don't leave any garbage outside." "Where did you see him?" "Oh, yeah. There are plenty of bears over in that area. Just leave them alone."

Okay dokey pal. You've got a deal.

Welcome to the neighbourhood. Consider yourself initiated.

Now, I suggest that you go out and buy a very big and very mean dog.

[GMichael]

Welcome to the neighbourhood. Consider yourself initiated.

Now, I suggest that you go out and buy a very big and very mean dog.


I thought of that too. But the dog doesn't need to be either big or mean. I once had a toy fox terrier. He was about 10 pounds and the friendliest dog I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. But if another animal came around, watch out. He chased away many dogs that were 10 times his size.
Cute too.

[ForeverAutumn]

What a big dog thinks upon seeing a small yappy dog: "Not worth the effort. Think I'll go home and beg for a milkbone".

What a big bear thinks upon seeing a small yappy dog: "Mmmmmmm. An appetizer".

[GMichael]

Ouch! You'd have Boo Boo eat my dog?:hand:

[Kam]

there's an article from a couple weeks ago about a cat that defended his home turf against a black bear and sent it running up a tree. there's a great pic of the cat staring up at the bear in the tree, and so far it hasnt been de-hoaxed, (i think?).
in any event... holy minkey! what a welcoming to the neighborhood! can tell mr. roger's to go suck it when you got bears greeting you around the corners!

Edit: here ya go!
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/06/060613-cat-bear.html

[GMichael]

That's not my cat. She'd run and hide behind me. She's a figgin p.ssy!

[JohnMichael]

I am just impressed that you numbered all the voices in your head. I will have to try it. Seriously I am glad your safe and your underwear unsoiled.

[GMichael]

I am just impressed that you numbered all the voices in your head. I will have to try it. Seriously I am glad your safe and your underwear unsoiled.

You must not have seen pos# 8 yet. But thanks. It's good to still be here.

ALL the voices? Who said that 4 is all?:ihih:

[ericl]

wow crazy story GMichael! Glad you didn't get mauled! And yeah, next time make sure you get him to hang around for pictures..

[GMichael]

wow crazy story GMichael! Glad you didn't get mauled! And yeah, next time make sure you get him to hang around for pictures..

Thanks, and sure. Any pose you'd like to see?

Come on Boo Boo. Roll over. Play dead. Pull that small tree up and hold it over your head. Gooooooooooood Boo Boo.

[dean_martin]

wow...at first I thought you were quoting a story from Reader's Digest or something. Man, I'm glad you're still with us! It must be like a Twilight Zone episode for you when you're freakin' out and all the neighbors, cops, etc. are telling YOU not to disturb the little bear.

[PAT.P]

Just dont play any bear movie :ihih: Ever had bear meat ?Very good! When hunting season around your area? I be more worry wearing a fur coat at that time of the season.He's propably going to hibernate in your garage:16:

[ForeverAutumn]

So, you never said...was your electric hooked up?

[kexodusc]

HA HA HA HA...GM...the week I moved from Bangor to small suburban New Maryland, New Brunswick Canada, I had the EXACT same thing happen to me.

I was checking out the house we bought, trying to see if the contractors had finished installing the carpet, waiting for my then soon-to-be-wife to get back with some sweet KFC. Took a walk around the yard and out of the woods came a freakin bear....

Gotta admit - I froze like like a deer in the headlights - I'm pretty sure he didn't even look at me, but proceeded to the compost pile the neighbors had made on my property a hundred feet or so the other way - I think they just tossed a bunch of lobster scraps or something in it. I'm guessing from his perspective, I wasn't worth the effort, and denim probably doesn't taste too good.

No shame, GM...easy for these internet tough-guys-n-gals to tell you to grab your camera or just ignore it - they weren't in front of what could only be a rabid killing machine.

She comes around every fall, and the park rangers keep relocating her - there's a large playground with a few ball fields behind my house - too many kids for her.

Yup, confrontations with bears are scary when you're not the bear.

Now, let me tell ya about the time 2 months later when I got trampled by a moose...

[GMichael]

Dean, thanks.

I was kind of expecting that response from the locals. These people worship their bears. I've already picked up welcome matts that say to wipe your paws before you come in.

Pat P.,

Never had any bear meat. I bet I'll see it on a local menu though. At least that's better that eating at the Road Kill Cafe.

FA,

Nope, no electric yet. But on the funny side, when I called my dear sweet little misses about the bear, her first question was, "Is the electric hooked up?" I asked if she was listening to the words that were coming out of my mouth. She said, "Yeah, a bear, Is the electric on?" Women!

Kex,

Fun huh? Nothing like a little wild life to get the blood pumping.
Nice neighbors. Did you get them anything to thank them?
Denim is good roughage.
My bear (See how he's MY bear now?) seemed very nice. He was more scared then I was. I had a strong urge to try to make friends with him, but decided that I like living better. Yours keeps coming back huh? Not good.

Spill the moose story.

[kexodusc]

Spill the moose story.

Not much to tell...after the 2nd snowfall in November I was walking out to my little tool shed out back to grab the shovels....I saw the funny tracks in the snow and in my city-boy ignorance assumed it was a deer (later I was informed they would be 3 or 4 times the size of deer's track) I didn't notice this giant deer/small Cow in my yard. Followed out behind my shed, agian, corner of my property next to a not so dense few hundered yards of trees, and the former - compost heap of my former neighbor...Guess I woke her up cause she sprang-up like a jack rabbit...I was maybe 10 ft away, and tried running....you don't run so well in hiking boots in 6" of snow, so I wiped out belly first, and before I knew it got stepped on and the back of my calf and upper left back by a very grumpy female moose, which are appropriately named "cows" because they weigh 800-1000 lbs. That's deceptive though cause she runs way faster than I ever could.

Other than the two massive black and blue welts left behind, escaped unscathed...just felt like a large, bony-footed man stepped on me...

These things are quite common here, and are dangerous on the highways - a moose will completely implode the front end of a half-ton. The few cars I've seen either have the cabin tops torn off, or have a good 2 - 3 ft deep imprint across the hood and cabin. They suggest if collision is inevitable to hit the gas rather than the brakes, especially in cars. The idea being because they are taller than cars, you will hit take the legs out...you at least stand a chance if you can "trip" the mouse and sweep it over the car, but you are certainly dead if you just hit it and it falls on you. Don't know if it's true or not, don't want to find out.

[GMichael]

So she turned you into a moose matt huh? Not fun, but exciting I'm sure. How well did you sleep that night? I couldn't sleep much at all Tuesday night. Kept seeing Booboo's face in my dreams and waking up.

[Bernd]

I thought of that too. But the dog doesn't need to be either big or mean. I once had a toy fox terrier. He was about 10 pounds and the friendliest dog I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. But if another animal came around, watch out. He chased away many dogs that were 10 times his size.
Cute too.

It's time me thinks, for another fearless, fourlegged friend to keep the local wildlife at bay!

[GMichael]

It's time me thinks, for another fearless, fourlegged friend to keep the local wildlife at bay!

Aawww... How cute. What are they? How big do they get? What kind of personalities do they tend to have.

[Bernd]

Aawww... How cute. What are they? How big do they get? What kind of personalities do they tend to have.

Our latest litter. 17 days old.
Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds. Top weight between 10 and 11 lbs. Bold, fearless, loyal and very protective.
I use mine for tracking and holding wounded game at bay, and for driving out Foxes from underground burrows. Susan shows them.
A place in the country needs a dog.:yesnod:

Peace

Bernd:16:

[GMichael]

Our latest litter. 17 days old.
Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds. Top weight between 10 and 11 lbs. Bold, fearless, loyal and very protective.
I use mine for tracking and holding wounded game at bay, and for driving out Foxes from underground burrows. Susan shows them.
A place in the country needs a dog.:yesnod:

Peace

Bernd:16:

Too bad you're so far away.

After this, I agree. A dog would be nice. My lil' toy fox would have been between me and that bear making a lot of noise.

[Resident Loser]

...you may want to consider motion detectors for the outside lights once you are in...they say loud noises work...bear bells...pepper spray...you iz on their turf and no longer top o' the food chain...

Submitted for your approval:

http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/92q4/bearbells.html

http://www.backpacker.com/article/1,2646,1223,00.html

jimHJJ(...bear with me now...)

[ericl]

Thanks, and sure. Any pose you'd like to see?

Come on Boo Boo. Roll over. Play dead. Pull that small tree up and hold it over your head. Gooooooooooood Boo Boo.

i'd like to see him riding a tricycle wearing a fez, please.

thanks,
eric

[GMichael]

...you may want to consider motion detectors for the outside lights once you are in...they say loud noises work...bear bells...pepper spray...you iz on their turf and no longer top o' the food chain...

Submitted for your approval:

http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/92q4/bearbells.html

http://www.backpacker.com/article/1,2646,1223,00.html

jimHJJ(...bear with me now...)

We have those. But it was daylight. I'll be blowing my horn as I come home each day.

[ForeverAutumn]

...you at least stand a chance if you can "trip" the mouse and sweep it over the car, but you are certainly dead if you just hit it and it falls on you. Don't know if it's true or not, don't want to find out.


What kind of mice you raising out in NB?????

I spend a lot of time in Northern Ontario (I'm in Sudbury right now) and everyone up here has a story about hitting a moose or a friend or family member who hit a moose. I've seen pictures of cars that have hit moose and you wonder how anyone walked away alive. It's chilling.

I refuse to drive up here or go home after dark for that very reason. I'll stay an extra night if I have to and drive home in the morning.

[GMichael]

What kind of mice you raising out in NB?????

I spend a lot of time in Northern Ontario (I'm in Sudbury right now) and everyone up here has a story about hitting a moose or a friend or family member who hit a moose. I've seen pictures of cars that have hit moose and you wonder how anyone walked away alive. It's chilling.

I refuse to drive up here or go home after dark for that very reason. I'll stay an extra night if I have to and drive home in the morning.

When are you visiting? :ihih:

[GMichael]

i'd like to see him riding a tricycle wearing a fez, please.

thanks,
eric

OK.

Hey Booboo, you heard the man. Up on the trike. And put this on.

Uht oh, here come the locals. I may be in trouble. They told me to leave the bears alone.

[Resident Loser]

...I'll be blowing my horn as I come home each day.

...that make driving difficult?

jimHJJ(...jus' wunnerin'...)

[JohnMichael]

...that make driving difficult?

jimHJJ(...jus' wunnerin'...)



Not with the installed periscope for guidance.

[GMichael]

My troubles are over. Meet my new pet.

[JohnMichael]

My troubles are over. Meet my new pet.


Of course you might need a steam shovel to pooper scoop the yard.