I have a confession to make!

[Deadwood Dutch]

Black bears can be a problem on the trail under certain circumstances here in Pa., but you rarely ever hear of a bear attack by one. Most of the time they are raiding people's trash and cabins up in the mountains looking for something to eat. Bird feeders too. We have plenty of coyotes and bobcats. As far as Cougars, there have been some rumors of some sightings through the years, but to my knowledge, nothing ever confirmed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. I hope they stay to the West. But, other than being stupid enough to try to corner a bobcat, I would have no fear of them. They like furry little creatures to chew on. They are not large animals. But, over in New Jersey, a couple of years ago, a hiker was taking a picture of a 300 pound black bear, and it attacked him and killed him.

[Frank V]

Black bears can be a problem on the trail under certain circumstances here in Pa., but you rarely ever hear of a bear attack by one. Most of the time they are raiding people's trash and cabins up in the mountains looking for something to eat. Bird feeders too. We have plenty of coyotes and bobcats. As far as Cougars, there have been some rumors of some sightings through the years, but to my knowledge, nothing ever confirmed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. I hope they stay to the West. But, other than being stupid enough to try to corner a bobcat, I would have no fear of them. They like furry little creatures to chew on. They are not large animals. But, over in New Jersey, a couple of years ago, a hiker was taking a picture of a 300 pound black bear, and it attacked him and killed him.

Game commissions are reluctant to verify sightings. Years ago in Calif. people were complaining of mountain lions F&G ignored the complaints, then one killed & ate a woman on a hiking trail. I don't trust F&G data on the abense of animals.

[Deadwood Dutch]

Black bears can be a problem on the trail under certain circumstances here in Pa., but you rarely ever hear of a bear attack by one. Most of the time they are raiding people's trash and cabins up in the mountains looking for something to eat. Bird feeders too. We have plenty of coyotes and bobcats. As far as Cougars, there have been some rumors of some sightings through the years, but to my knowledge, nothing ever confirmed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. I hope they stay to the West. But, other than being stupid enough to try to corner a bobcat, I would have no fear of them. They like furry little creatures to chew on. They are not large animals. But, over in New Jersey, a couple of years ago, a hiker was taking a picture of a 300 pound black bear, and it attacked him and killed him.

Game commissions are reluctant to verify sightings. Years ago in Calif. people were complaining of mountain lions F&G ignored the complaints, then one killed & ate a woman on a hiking trail. I don't trust F&G data on the abense of animals.

I'll keep that in mind when I am walking to my deer stand in the early morning hours when it is still dark.

[daytime dave]

Great cofession squatch. I agree with you on all of your points in the original post.

My favorites start with four also.

[Frank V]

Something starting with a .4 on your hip is great comfort in the mountains.
A rifle in your hands starting with .4 is comforting too & is usually easier to shoot well!

[RanchRoper]

Actually Black Bears do attack people & can become predatory, eating people too.
They are not the cuddly huggy, touchy, kissy, feely, animals Disney & his ilk would lead us to believe.
I am very careful around black bears too!

Black bears are VERY unpredictable, and you are food as far as they are concerned. The Fish & Wildlife guys here say there are more black bear attacks than grizzlies by far. I've had a few close grizzly encounters horseback over the years and they seem pretty busy doing their own thing most of time. But I always give the black bears a very wide berth. The grizzlies too, but the black bears will watch you more closely I've found. In northern Alberta last summer a young woman was killed on the job by a black bear. Working at a construction site, it just came out of the bush and attacked. Her coworkers were hitting it with shovels and it kept mauling her. British Columbia reports several black bear attacks each year.

Be careful out there folks.

[Frank V]

Yes, Black Bears are VERY dangerous.

[RanchRoper]

I've seen lots of bears over the years while riding in the back country. Grizzlies and blacks. Generally I don't want to intrude on whatever they are doing, and that's probably the best advice I can give when in bear country. With luck, and some common horse sense, I'll never have to find out if my Henry is a bear stopper. The bears are just doing what they do, and I can always find another trail to take.

[Frank V]

RanchRoper that's the best policy, leave them alone & hope they do the same. Even if they don't you can always, truthfully, tell fish & game they persued you even when you took a different route.

[Frank V]

This thread is getting old, anyone see a black or Grizzly in the hills yet???
I haven't