Found this big guy while checking my trail cam!

[fortyshooter]

Just got back home from cutting grass down at my range and found this bear on my trail cam videos!
Video was at 11:00 AM last Sunday and I was also there around 12:30 PM making my son's .38 Special birthday card.
All I had with me was that S&W 66 with my 158 gr. hollow point +P .38 loads!
https://youtu.be/H9eEOr-nZoo

Be carrying my Ruger Alaskan with some hot 300 gr. .45 Colt loads from now on!

[ESquared]

Looks very full-grown and healthy to me! Also seems right at home, so "gearing up" to the Alaskan is definitely a good idea!

In that part of the country (or any part, I guess), wouldn't it be rare for there to be just one bear like that? Isn't there likely at least a family? Or are they mostly nomadic and maybe just passing through?

[BigAl52]

I think he might be looking for a Huckleberry

[North Country Gal]

Probably a male, since you see it alone (males take no part in raising cubs). Make no mistake, with black bears it is the males that are the most dangerous, by far. Research shows that over 90% of fatal black bear attacks on humans are by male black bears, not sows with cubs. Black bear sows are actually relatively docile, unless their cubs are threatened. (Grizzly sows with cubs are another matter, entirely. Always extremely dangerous.)

A black bear that continues to follow you is a danger sign. It's usually a male, sizing you up as something to eat. You need to get aggressive and change its mind. With grizzlies, you never get aggressive and try to fight back.

We live with black bears in our neighborhood and have had them right in the yard. Extremely rare to have a problem.

[fortyshooter]

It's a nice area to place a camera with a wide variety of critters passing thru. Had a coyote on my neighbor's cam who is the next property down the road. Just have to take a precaution while walking about.
That ol' Henry .44 Carbine might be getting some shoulder carry use!

[BrokenolMarine]

Nice catch... He is a big fella.

We have three cams spaced around the farm, and haven't caught a bear in the last two years, but when we first moved here, there were a large number in the area, including a large male with gray in his coat, and several sows with cubs.

Virginia has enough of a bear problem the fish and game sight has a FAQ section for dealing with them.

[Vaquero]

That would be a good option,
Me, I'd be totin the 444P, with some 320 gr cast
Just because.
Or maybe the BBS 41, with some 280 grainers.

RP

[markiver54]

I think he might be looking for a Huckleberry

That is a common sight up at our cabin. Have many pics on my trail cams taken at night and during the day. Thats why this " Huckleberry " always has the side arm, even when working around the property.
Have to be careful when going quickly up the mountain on the 4-wheeler as well. A startled bear will most of the time go the other way if it hears you coming, but approach too quickly and things could be different.
I, personally feel comfortable with my 357 filled up with HSM 180 gr cast bear loads. As always though, shot placement is critical with any load.
Problem is, shoot one out of season and you may have some slick talking to do if the Warden shows up as in proof of eminent danger.

[fortyshooter]

My neighbor down there always ask me why I carry those big boomer .45 and .44 revolvers...."You expecting a bear?"
Of course he owns a few M1 Garands and M-14's !

[JEBar]

My neighbor down there always ask me why I carry those big boomer .45 and .44 revolvers...."You expecting a bear?"

show them the video and simply say, could be .. .. back when I actively bear hunted in the mountains of western NC, I learned first hand just how effective a 44 Mag can be on large black bears .... penetration and the results from the shock to the internal organs was clearly evident .... can't speak from personal info on a 45 but can say without hesitation that a 44 Mag is an extremely capable round

[cooperhawk]

I think he might be looking for a Huckleberry

Problem is, shoot one out of season and you may have some slick talking to do if the Warden shows up as in proof of eminent danger.

The answer is just show the Warden your soiled undies.

[BrokenolMarine]

When we first moved in to our current home, it was brand new. In clearing the lot, they had pushed brush all around the edge of the cleared two acres. Sitting outside one evening at dusk, Tina heard a huffing sound. Looking around the perimeter, she spied a huge black bear with grey in his coat, scratching his back against the end of some deadfall, and moaning with the sheer pleasure of it.

A call back from the local game warden provided this:

The bears were here first, and have a route... You are on it.

No, they won't normally bother your dogs, and if they do, they usually just swat them away like a fly, but it's a swat from a seven foot tall flyswatter.

Take away temptations, they sill drop you from their route. Keep trash secure, no deer feeders, don't leave dog food out.

The fine in VA for shooting a bear out of season, or without a stamp in season? $10k. The evidence better fully support self defense if you go that route. All the tracks, claw marks, bites, video is always a plus. Dismemberment works in your favor.

[ESquared]

Talk about "burden of proof"!

[fortyshooter]

That is ridiculous IF an aggressive bear wanted to trample you.
Hopefully this bear was just moving on thru his territory!

[North Country Gal]

Marine hit the nail on the head when it comes to living with black bears. That's the way it is here in the north woods of Wisconsin, too. We get them right in our yard. Neighbors, too. I might add that feeding birds in any month other than the hard winter months is a no-no, too. Once a bear gets it in its head that your place is a food source, you have a serious problem. They can be very persistent.

I might also add that if you let your dogs run loose, you aren't doing them a favor. Black bears do not like dogs. Note, too, that if you try to break up a fight between your dog and a black bear for the sake of defending your dog, you put yourself in an extremely dangerous situation. Once the bear is in an attack mode, it attacks anything it can reach, including you. We've had a couple of cases where dog owners learned that the hard way.

[RanchRoper]

Game warden once told me that black bears are the most unpredictable & the ones they have the most issues with as far as human/bear interactions. I always give them a real wide berth out in the backcountry. I have seen lots of grizzlies and they are mostly doing their own stuff unless you bother them or intrude. But the blacks are always interested and checking you out. Even from a long distance.

[BrokenolMarine]

Miss Tina always took "Skinny," her Sable Shepherd with her to the mailbox . It was about two hundred and fifty yards down hill, and a winding gravel drive that crossed over a creek. One afternoon, Tina heard something splashing up the creek, and saw a small cub about 100 yards downstream but headed her way. She looked around for the dog, wanting to get back to the house quickly, before "mom" showed up.

She called the dog and heard a bark. Skinny was at the top of the drive two hundred yards away, calling HER. "A Bear Mom, come open this door!". If Tina needed her, Skinny would have flown back down that drive, but she wasn't stupid. "Hurry up mom... A bear." They both watched mama and baby cross the drive and head across the property, from the bay window.