For you guys that turkey hunt areas with bears, have you ever had any close calls or reason for concern?
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Yep. Twice.
And the wife's uncle got into a REAL pickle, once.
Yes, but they always go their way, and I definitely go my way. Had one lip curl once, I slowly moved off always facing him. He eventually moved off. Even though I had a gun, it was a bit unnerving to say the least.....
A couple of years ago I was hunting with my buddy and we were heading toward some roosted birds. We stumbled on a big black bear, he ran up a tree. I kept going toward that tree because I was worried about getting set up before fly down. My buddy froze. As I was about 5 yards from the tree the bear started chomping...I kept toward him. He finally climbed down and ran away.
My friend said "what the hell are you doing". I said "I ain't worried about no damn bear. We have to get to our spot." He said "if that bear charged you, you'd be worried". I said "nope. I've got plenty of shells."
Long story short. They don't scare me. They just as scared as we are. Maybe I'm not too bright. But I know a lot of hunters who are scared of them. Im just not.
Quote from: deathfoot on February 06, 2023, 07:43:24 PM
A couple of years ago I was hunting with my buddy and we were heading toward some roosted birds. We stumbled on a big black bear, he ran up a tree. I kept going toward that tree because I was worried about getting set up before fly down. My buddy froze. As I was about 5 yards from the tree the bear started chomping...I kept toward him. He finally climbed down and ran away.
My friend said "what the hell are you doing". I said "I ain't worried about no damn bear. We have to get to our spot." He said "if that bear charged you, you'd be worried". I said "nope. I've got plenty of shells."
Long story short. They don't scare me. They just as scared as we are. Maybe I'm not too bright. But I know a lot of hunters who are scared of them. Im just not.
Its a bit different when you got one eyeballing you as he's coming up the trail at 35yds and your standing there with a knife and an arrow in your hand. I gave that one a little respect. Eventually he did move on, though I had my doubts for a few moments. I think it might have been the cuss words that turned him around!
I had one making a racket not too far ahead of me one morning. :help: But in the words of an illustrious OG member who once admonished us all with multiple "thumbs down" for considering protecting ourselves from a grizzly attack: "I would never shoot a bear....I don't care if that bear kills me. :z-dizzy: I have to try for that bird( turkey/30 pounder) —HPD
Quote from: Zobo on February 06, 2023, 08:22:17 PMBut in the words of an illustrious OG member who once admonished us all with multiple "thumbs down" for considering protecting ourselves from a grizzly attack: "I would never shoot a bear....I don't care if that bear kills me. :z-dizzy: I have to try for that bird( turkey/30 pounder) —HPD
I may have just peed a little !!!
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Came face to face with a monster bruin in Colorado a couple years ago, luckily he saw me when I saw him and he bailed, I think my jaw was on the ground but my gun was on it's way to my shoulder!
He was down in a steep valley either bedded there or eating some of the fresh green in there, it was literally 6-8 feet wide right there and nearly verticle on each side! How I didn't see that monster in that tight spot much earlier baffles me, I think I was looking at the ground for turkey sign?
I've never actually seen one while I was hunting. However I did come across a Huge pile of very fresh scatt (probably twice as big as a pile of horse manure) while trying to roost a bird for my buddy as I had already killed in that state. I didn't have a gun and it was getting dark. That one made me a little uneasy. It really kind of spooked me the next day after talking to a local rancher who said they were having terrible trouble with the grizzlies while hunting elk and mule deer in the mountains. They were having grizzlies more or less stalk them and multiple hunters had had kills taken by grizzlies before they could recover them.
Quote from: Yoder409 on February 06, 2023, 09:23:29 PM
Quote from: Zobo on February 06, 2023, 08:22:17 PMBut in the words of an illustrious OG member who once admonished us all with multiple "thumbs down" for considering protecting ourselves from a grizzly attack: "I would never shoot a bear....I don't care if that bear kills me. :z-dizzy: I have to try for that bird( turkey/30 pounder) —HPD
I may have just peed a little !!!
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
I have to admit, I kinda miss that guy :TooFunny: :TrainWreck1: :TooFunny:
had a blackie follow me a few years back. Now in bear country I carry the LC.
Quote from: Zobo on February 06, 2023, 10:06:11 PM
Quote from: Yoder409 on February 06, 2023, 09:23:29 PM
Quote from: Zobo on February 06, 2023, 08:22:17 PMBut in the words of an illustrious OG member who once admonished us all with multiple "thumbs down" for considering protecting ourselves from a grizzly attack: "I would never shoot a bear....I don't care if that bear kills me. :z-dizzy: I have to try for that bird( turkey/30 pounder) —HPD
I may have just peed a little !!!
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
I have to admit, I kinda miss that guy :TooFunny: :TrainWreck1: :TooFunny:
He sure could spin a yarn. Kept us entertained!
I've encountered bears numerous times, I've never really worried about them. Had a very large black bear stick is head in my ground blind, one time while deer hunting.
I've had a couple but I see bears almost every day. I don't go in anywhere hunting using a flashlight. Course my gun is unloaded as I climb mountains. I was following a dried up creek up the mountain early one morning in the dark. . About halfway up I hear what sounds like air from a hot air balloon kinda close in front of me. I knew it was a bear blowing at me. Couldn't tell exactly where it was but obviously agitated. I started to look for a flashlight and shells. Pretty cool seeing glowing eyes not too far away. I was married though and remember your woman will kill you before a bear will. Im sure you're not worried about her. You should be. Anyhow to say I live in bear country is an understatement. Im right next to where the kid was eaten a couple years back in NJ. Last year multiple dogs were attacked and some killed, a few people attacked. I saw 11 one day Bowhunting. I've been mock charged twice not turkey hunting. Pretty sure your exposure might be less to em unless you live right close. Than I'll invite you along wearing a bacon scented bandana. I always feel safer when I'm the lesser target! Just kidding. Im still writing and besides sharks don't blow at ya. You go in the ocean? Don't worry bout the bears. The woman? Be afraid and hide your money and possessions
In the field no. They are thick where I hunt in eastern NC. They don't bother you unless you approach a mom with cubs. They pass along. Heck where I dear hunt my friend manages for them. He is a very reputable bear outfitter. I have left the stand with 6 bears at the feeders and they don't mind me at all. The most i worry about a bear is on the road in the dark.
Black bears are around and I've seen them at a distance but they don't want to have anything to do with me. Never been nervous around black bears. I've fished in grizzly country but never hunted. That's a little different and I'm always trying to be a little more aware of what's around me there. Also keep the bear spray and pistol handy
black bear encounters are pretty common where I'm at. had one start up a tree I was in one time and, walked up on two different ones in the dark before. the one in the tree now keeps me company in my man cave. the other two ran like a coyote.
Once in Pa. I treed 2 small cubs and I'm talking small. It happened at first lite when I was moving in on a group of birds. MaMa then stood tall trying to suck me through her nose. Luckily the wind was in my favor, No telling what might have happened. Only 35/40 yards away I backed out on a slow moon walk watching her ready to raise. :jackson: Definitely on Ohh boy hair on my neck standing experience!
Quote from: TrackeySauresRex on February 07, 2023, 12:35:43 PM
Once in Pa. I treed 2 small cubs and I'm talking small. It happened at first lite when I was moving in on a group of birds. MaMa then stood tall trying to suck me through her nose. Luckily the wind was in my favor, No telling what might have happened. Only 35/40 yards away I backed out on a slow moon walk watching her ready to raise. :jackson: Definitely on Ohh boy hair on my neck standing experience!
Here's a good example of how circumstances matter in determining how dangerous black bears can be. Glad she couldn't smell you.
If you don't respect a bear your a fool.
I have been run over by a bear, had several blow at me, a couple charge. I haven't shot one in those circumstances YET, but it won't bother me when I do.
When I do, it will be because I felt danger was eminent. I have killed plenty of them point blank, when you get blood spatter on your face, or your semi locks up because it has hair lodged between barrel and slide you were close enough. This is hunting bear, completely different than just creeping through the woods and there one is eye balling you.
Respect the bear, or get bit.
Quote from: WV Flopper on February 07, 2023, 08:17:43 PM
If you don't respect a bear your a fool.
Respect the bear, or get bit.
Best advice so far.
They ain't always "more afraid of you than you are if them". I can assure you of that.
I see them pretty much every year in the spring. I just make a wide walk around them. They usually see me and move along. I saw a sow and a cub a couple of mornings the season before last. They kind of got used to seeing me. The only time I ever had one make me uncomfortable was when a 300 pounder climbed my tree one October when I was bow hunting. I was in a climber. That one was a little too close for my comfort.
Quote from: Yoder409 on February 07, 2023, 08:41:11 PM
Quote from: WV Flopper on February 07, 2023, 08:17:43 PM
If you don't respect a bear your a fool.
Respect the bear, or get bit.
Best advice so far.
They ain't always "more afraid of you than you are if them". I can assure you of that.
This is so very true. People make assumptions based on what they've heard or been told Actual experience is much different. As I stated the area around here is crawling w bears. Nothing to see a bunch a day. Google Highland Lakes, Vernon, West Milford NJ. The bear shows you see on tv about crazy populations, break ins, attacks on animals, etc are mostly filmed around here. At one point we were over 50 break ins of houses a year. You're under your truck changing the oil and you see paws walking up your driveway. When I did taxidermy you'd be amazed I bet 1/2 the local bear hides I tanned had bird shot in them from being shooed away. You have yo put your garbage out only when the truck is within hearing or you'll wake up to a garbage trail into the woods but even with the garbage trucks 3 houses away you ain't safe. They walk out amid the chaos of garbage men noise to lift a bag from your barrel. That being said, based on lots encounters, bears are a lot like people. Most you can mess with some you'll wish you hadn't. A little yippy dog trees one and the next kills a German Shepard just because it got near him. A college kid was eaten a few years back one town over just hiking. People get attacked going into their garage refrigerator not knowing a bear was there. A lady was attacked this summer trying to save her dog. Here's an interesting one, my buddy let's the neighbor put some cows in his fields. His other neighbor apparently went to get the mail. She saw a bear coming and did something to scare it off. If grabbed her, knocked her down and was mauling her. The cow neighbor driving down the road saw the bear on top of her. He drove up swerving near, honking his horn. He got the bear to leave. The bear only but up her buttocks and maybe her back it was but she needed to go to hospital and the bear wasn't at it long before the guy saw her. Google that as well cause somebody may think it can't be true. All bears are NOT afraid of you
Couple recent news article pics, to be clear I'm by no means saying be afraid. Just don't make assumptions they all run away. They don't
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I've seen several over the years, but this one was at 5 steps when I took this picture in the spring of 2020. I had phone in one hand videoing and 20 gauge (safety off) in the other. I don't usually get too worried with them, but with him not knowing what I was, he wouldn't leave for a brief time. He kept trying to step closer to me, but would halt when I would speak out to him. Pretty tense at the time.
I can see why you might have been a little concerned, awesome picture!
Quote from: El Pavo Grande on February 10, 2023, 11:31:33 PM
I've seen several over the years, but this one was at 5 steps when I took this picture in the spring of 2020. I had phone in one hand videoing and 20 gauge (safety off) in the other. I don't usually get too worried with them, but with him not knowing what I was, he wouldn't leave for a brief time. He kept trying to step closer to me, but would halt when I would speak out to him. Pretty tense at the time.
Did yah scratch him behind the ears?
I've never hunted in bear country very much. I was bow hunting in the Ocala National Forest one year, and happened upon a mother with 2 cubs. I was in full camo with the wind in my favor, and hoped they would wander off. Then the wind shifted carrying my scent to mama. She turned and looked directly at me. I stepped out into the trail, bow up. I started backing down the trail while facing her. Mama and the cubs followed. After a 100 yard retreat, I went around a corner and lost sight of the bears. At that moment I turned and sprinted all the way back to my truck. LOL!! That was pretty unnerving, so I went elsewhere for the day.
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Quote from: RutnNStrutn on February 11, 2023, 05:02:11 PM
I've never hunted in bear country very much. I was bow hunting in the Ocala National Forest one year, and happened upon a mother with 2 cubs. I was in full camo with the wind in my favor, and hoped they would wander off. Then the wind shifted carrying my scent to mama. She turned and looked directly at me. I stepped out into the trail, bow up. I started backing down the trail while facing her. Mama and the cubs followed. After a 100 yard retreat, I went around a corner and lost sight of the bears. At that moment I turned and sprinted all the way back to my truck. LOL!! That was pretty unnerving, so I went elsewhere for the day.
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At what point did you change your underwear? Good heavens!
During my time bear hunting I have learned a couple things.
I think the most important to this discussion is this: A old sow bear can be meaner than any copperhead snake you'll run into. And, they are just as quick.
Bears don't have to be big and intimidating to be deadly. I guarantee this! It is a fact. Big bears are usually lazy, small bears, well they are fast and agile on a dime.
Keep this is mind. It only takes one bad bear, one time, to ruin your life. All I am saying is be careful around bears. A Lot are just nice big teddy bears, some are not. You won't be able to tell the difference until it's to late.
Two thumbs down!!!
Quote from: WV Flopper on February 11, 2023, 09:06:58 PM
During my time bear hunting I have learned a couple things.
I think the most important to this discussion is this: A old sow bear can be meaner than any copperhead snake you'll run into. And, they are just as quick.
Bears don't have to be big and intimidating to be deadly. I guarantee this! It is a fact. Big bears are usually lazy, small bears, well they are fast and agile on a dime.
Keep this is mind. It only takes one bad bear, one time, to ruin your life. All I am saying is be careful around bears. A Lot are just nice big teddy bears, some are not. You won't be able to tell the difference until it's to late.
Two thumbs down!!!
You better watch out, sensible information like that could very possibly get you a THIRD thumbs down!!!
Quote from: Paulmyr on February 11, 2023, 01:03:20 AM
Quote from: El Pavo Grande on February 10, 2023, 11:31:33 PM
I've seen several over the years, but this one was at 5 steps when I took this picture in the spring of 2020. I had phone in one hand videoing and 20 gauge (safety off) in the other. I don't usually get too worried with them, but with him not knowing what I was, he wouldn't leave for a brief time. He kept trying to step closer to me, but would halt when I would speak out to him. Pretty tense at the time.
Did yah scratch him behind the ears?
I was tucked under a cedar tree. I got my phone out and started videoing when I saw him at about 40-50 steps. I didn't expect him to turn directly to me. He was just walking and was at the log when I spoke out to stop him. He would have been at arms length. I briefly thought how awesome it would have been to reach out and touch him as he passed by (on video), but after thinking about it, realized what a stupid idea that would have been. I figure the odds weren't great enough in my favor of fight or flight for it to potentially go bad. He popped his jaw after I stopped him and he came around the pine still checking me out.
Wow! I'd say you were lucky, very lucky!
With you sitting on the ground and him that close there wasn't a choice between fight or flight, you weren't fleeing anywhere. It was going to be a fight if he had bad intentions.
Great photos and a memory you wont ever forget. Thanks for sharing the story and the photos.
Quote from: WV Flopper on February 11, 2023, 09:06:58 PM
During my time bear hunting I have learned a couple things.
I think the most important to this discussion is this: A old sow bear can be meaner than any copperhead snake you'll run into. And, they are just as quick.
Bears don't have to be big and intimidating to be deadly. I guarantee this! It is a fact. Big bears are usually lazy, small bears, well they are fast and agile on a dime.
Keep this is mind. It only takes one bad bear, one time, to ruin your life. All I am saying is be careful around bears. A Lot are just nice big teddy bears, some are not. You won't be able to tell the difference until it's to late.
Two thumbs down!!!
Great post !!!
I've had woods encounters with black bears that ranged from about 5 pounds to nearly 700 pounds. The ABSOLUTE WORST............was a bear that MAYBE tipped 125 pounds soaking wet. Meanest S.O.B. by far out of all of them.