Wake-up call for me (bear)

[cebeu]

I live in the hills...we have wildlife...and as a resident in "their home" you appreciate that fact first and foremost but you manage around it. Me? If the sun is down my awareness is "up."

Working out of the home office today, the lady headed down the hill, just the opposite of our normal day so I had to "do the dogs" as a result. Leashes on, garage door opened, head down the drive a piece, dark, light in-hand, .357 in my APX, normal sounds, nothing unusual but the dogs (Beagle and Beagle/Golden mix) were a bit "on edge" as I reflect back on it, nothing too out of character. Wander around the property a bit, dogs finish their business and its time for breakfast. Head in, unleash, grab the bowls and back out to the garage I go to fill em' up. Open the door, take a few steps and something catches my eye…I look to my right and BAM...a friggin' huge black bear, I'm guessing he/she weighs at least 27,000 lbs at this point, is at my garage entrance just looking at me, quiet as all get out, beautiful animal but god damn...whatta ya' do?

I clamored the steel bowls together (noise), tossed them aside and placed a hand on my revolver instinctively, and slowly stepped back towards the door and inside…wheeeewwww! The dogs are looking at me with a “WTF is with all the noise and where’s the food” expression and I’m just standing there thinkin’…damn!

This beast has been causing some grief for two of the neighboring property’s this past year, I’ve found the scat all year long but…whoooaaaa…first time he/she has ventured near me.

After cleaning my shorts and looking out from a secure, internal vantage point I watch it amble down my drive a bit so I got up the nerve to grab my light and head-out to watch this great creature do its thing. Spent maybe 10-15 minutes together at a reasonable distance and then it waddled over to a neighboring drive and headed out of site into the tree-line. Never once thought to grab a camera (and it was dark) so no pics.

All-in-all…a very interesting wake-up for me and I’m almost positive I heard that bear mumble something to the effect of “what a dumbass…” as it stumbled away

Note to self; "may finally be time to consider that .44 Mag."

[TS12000]

Glad you handled the situation well and didn't get mauled. Wildlife is a trip man.

[ghettodub]

great story, and I know what you're talking about. I grew up in the hills, and my folks still live up there, and there are bears and mountain lions that frequent around their house. scares the shit out of me...

[rockhound]

had to replace my 2 car garage door last summer due to a bear.

we were out camping for the week, when we got home there was a three foot diameter hole in garage door. bear tore a hole in it to get to the trash can

ate the trash capped in driveway, thanks a lot

[BigBear]

Sorry I woke you up... I was just looking for my stuffed teddy human.... long night and I couldn't sleep.... hehe

[cebeu]

Sorry I woke you up... I was just looking for my stuffed teddy human.... long night and I couldn't sleep.... hehe

Ya' bastard, freaked me out...call first.

rockhound - yup...same thing with one of my neighbors this year. In a window, ransacked the freezer and left a steaming pile in the middle of the garage floor as a parting gift.

[Ah Pook]

This beast has been causing some grief for two of the neighboring property’s this past year, I’ve found the scat all year long but…whoooaaaa…first time he/she has ventured near me.

A 27,000lb bear must leave quite the scat pile.

Yes, wildlife can be fun.

[Bailey Guns]

Several times, like you said, I've noticed my dogs slightly on edge and ignored them or tried to get them to stop barking. After an encounter earlier this year with a sow and her two cubs, I'm finally starting to take them seriously.

It's just hard to imagine what they can actually smell and hear. But I know it's a lot more than I can. Well, I knew that before but I actually trust their judgment more than I once did. I try to really pay attention to their behavior now...especially when they try to tell me, "I wouldn't go out there if I was you."