News Bear attack in PA!

Hey PaJns--- keep your door shut when you let the dog out! Man, what a brave man and wife to chase that thing back out the door! Glad they're ok. One part of the article said there hasn't been a bear fatality in PA in over a hundred years--- I'm surprised at that. But then again, those are Black bears, not Browns or Grizzlies. Worst thing I have to worry about is a stray chipmunk wandering in through the hole in my screen door--- they can be nasty!

I've encountered Black bears once in the woods, and several times at campgrounds--- wouldn't want to meet a Momma with a cub to defend. Be careful out there! Best---- JoeW

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/1..._n_992016.html

[PaJNS]

We got Alligator's now too......http://www.cumberlink.com/news/state...cc4c03286.html

Ha! You're kidding me! When did PA become such a dangerous place to be! Of course, some of the squirrels in my backyard can be a little dangerous--- I had one that I was feeding peanuts to put a nasty scratch across my toe! I think, in my barefeet, he thought my toe looked like a peanut!

Few years ago, they ran an article here in WNY that said Pirahna had been found in Lake Erie-- but they later added that they thought some aquarium owner had just dumped it into the lake. Nevertheless, I don't swim in Lake Erie anymore.

I bumped into an old student of mine I hadn't seen in years- quite a hunter. He told me he had taken 30 Coyotes in WNY- like withing 15 miles of Buffalo, LAST year! I've seen a few, but where'd they come from! I guess people are having probs with disappearing cats, small dogs, chickens, geese, etc.

Say, this might be interesting--- anyone else have exotic imports swimming/walking/prowling around their backyards? Best---- JoeW

[toadfrog]

I have so much stuff sneaking around her trying to eat my chickens . It just would not surprise me no matter what I found unless it's a Yeti or Big Foot. If that is ever the case I'll give him the gun and we'll play catch me if you can . He won't because I can jump tall fences in a single bound screaming like an eagle as I go . I may be getting old but saving up that one more great get away left in me.

[dugger]

We got coyotes by the tons ,black bear and Big Bad Putty Tats ,mountain lions that can take down 300lb mulies and elk and rednecks galore, well a few anyway!! and rock sguirrels that will dig under your house and up thru your floor!!

[bass or bass?]

My mom sees a black bear on her deck behind the house occasionally.

[sharps4590]

We have yodel dogs in huge quantitites, a growing black bear population, more than a few mountain lions have been photographed and/or killed on the highways and sadly the wild hog population is growing. The most dangerous is when domestic dogs pack up. They're just stupid crazy mean. I carry some kind of handgun any time I'm in the woods or on the creeks. The most destructive is the stinkin' armadillos that have moved in during the last 10 years. In 53 years of squirrel hunting I've only been charged 2, maybe 3 times. Kinda makes one feel like Ruark or Hemmingway to take down a wounded, charging gray squirrel with death and revenge in his eyes.

LOL! Yep, I've been trying to tell people for years about the danger of tree rat attacks! That's why I always keep a plastic pel gun handy when we're in the back yard! If they smell peanuts on you, they will attack!

And feral dogs--- encountered them twice. Once when younger in PA- out fly fishing (yes PaJns- Pithole creek, downstream from Rattlesnake scoolhouse)- mile or so down the creek- heard all this barking. It kept getting closer and I didn't like the sound of it so I climbed a tree- not easy to do in waders and a fishing vest! Son of a gun- 10-12 dogs had trailed my scent down the creek. Hard to tell how many because they kept dashing in and out below the tree-- barking, growling, actually biting at each other! Big, small, but they all looked ratty. I actually don't think they ever saw me, and in a half hour, they disappeared down the creek. When I no longer heard them, I came down and bolted back up to my car!

Other time was small game hunting with a buddy. As we crossed a clearing-- heard several dogs barking. Then noticed the barking was circling us! Ah geez! So we stood back to back in the clearing, saw a couple dogs come out to the edge of the clearing then disappear again. OK, at least we were armed! Fired 3 or 4 shots into the air and that chased them off.

I still get the willies thinking about those incidents. .... but they're nothing like a pack of squirrels that smell peanuts! LOL!

Good thread- who else has something! Best----- JoeW

[dbarnett1]

We have "yotes" by the dozens, feral hogs that the Dept of conservation is beggin' folks to kill off and some big black kitties. I got a few lead pushers that keep them in check though.

[bass or bass?]

I carry at all times. Got a .44 magnum and a 9mm right here as I type this.