Collier Teens Save Pet From Bear Attack (FReeper's dog and kid involved).

WINK TV via SOUNDOFF ^ | 10-13-03 | Tim Wetzel

[RatSlayer]

This isn't all that unusual.

Predators tend to move much more quietly than prey animals, so unless you're looking in the right direction, you probably won't notice them.

If you've spent a lot of time in the woods, you've probably walked right past bears and cougars without even knowing it.
They usually notice you first and just stay silent and motionless until you're gone or they quietly slink away before you get close.

I had my first close encounter with a bear just this year in the Flagstaff area. It was about 40 yds to my right and quartering away from me, but watching over its shoulder to make sure I didn't get any closer.

[RatSlayer]

"12 Gauge works fine for black bears."

Especially when loaded with slugs. Although buckshot would work fine, I'm not certain I would want to try anything lighter since they have such heavy fur.

[Celtic Conservative]

yes , the old barrett does push the definition of "portable" to the limit , perhaps I should've said "browning automatic rifle".

Slainte,

CC

[Chemnitz]

Shelties are incredibly loyal and brave. Mine is always protecting me, whether I need protection or not. When we walked past a house where two men were casually talking outside, she planted herself facing them until she thought the danger was past. If another dog walks by on the front sidewalk, she runs up, does some sniffing, and then snaps her jaws next to the face of the other dog. She has never hurt man or beast, but she can look fierce. If I come through the gate into our back yard (especially at night) I hear her growling, then barking. Next she flies around the corner with her tail fluffed out and her teeth bared. When she sees me she gets a stupid look on her face, "Oh it's you."

One night she came inside from the backyard to show her alarm and get me outside to see. It was a "I think Lassie is trying to tell us something" moment. I followed her outside. Without any training she froze into a pointing position to show me that a neighboring house had smoke coming from it (a fireplace lit).

I can picture attacking a bear. She has gotten outside and repeatedly attacked the tires of moving trucks.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

The best thing to do if you see a bear, is to slowly back away.

No, the best thing to do is blow it away with an extremely large calibre weapon.