My farm and house is directly adjacent to a national wildlife refuge recently named by biologists as home to the thickest concentration of black bear in the eastern United States. I have lived with bears on a day-to-day basis for a number of years now, and I encounter bears frequently. Judging from fresh sign as of today, there are at least five large boars in the immediate area right now, feeding nightly on milk-stage wheat.
Over the years, I've learned a lot from numerous up-close-and-personal interaction with bears. In my experience, there are two kinds of people who live among bears:
1. Those who do what they can to keep bears afraid of them.
2. Those who wish they had.
Why be part of the second group? There's no need to learn the hard way!
If you encounter bears that aren't afraid of you,
make them afraid of you.
I have dealt with aggressive bears before. You cannot tolerate such behavior; not for a moment. A bear that threatens humans in any way should be immediately eliminated, and bears that show no or little fear should be taught to fear.
You must decide what your "territory" is ... and you must defend that territory. For instance, I do not allow bears to be in my two-acre yard at all ... ever. If I catch them in the yard, I run them off immediately; it is a "zero-tolerance" policy.
However, on the rest of the farm, I tolerate them and respect them, s
o long as they show no aggression and seem to fear me. If they are bold or sassy, and I am able, I teach them that I am not to be trifled with ... right away.
Bears are as smart as any dog; and they have good memories. If you let them know that you are dangerous, they'll remember and give you a wide berth. If you let them push you around or act aggressive with you,
you're asking for it ... and you might get it.
It is possible to live among bears and get along fine, but don't be fooled by all the cable-TV show talk. While they're not ferocious, black bears can be dangerous, and they can't be trusted.
Treat them accordingly.
My "two-cents worth".
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