There are definitely bears in Alabama. Last summer a momma bear and cub crossed the road right in front of some good friends. This is in central Alabama. A telephone guy saw a black panther on down the dirt road I live on a couple of years ago. I’ve heard some strange screaming that really sets the dogs into a frenzy.
Interesting.
Do you mind naming a nearby town that I might recognize? I once lived in Calera and worked at a radio station in Clanton, which are considered central Alabama.
Bowhunter friend of mine in Alabama was camping down in the Tombigbee swamp...nailed a deer right around dusk, but it ran off into the woods...he went back to camp to get his lantern so he could track the injured deer. He found it about 100 yards away...and it was already somebody's dinner.
The panther did not appreciate being disturbed.
And he spent the night in his tent, wide-awake, with his rifle across his knees.
A bobcat catching a rabbit can result in some bloodcurdling screams...from the rabbit.