PATTING A BEAR...

[Northern Dancer]

Can you believe it?
I actually got up close and managed to pat his head. He didn't grunt or puff or do anything but remained calm and serene. A magnificent creature and one that I selected as my "totem" character. So why was he so gentle and not afraid of me?
Because the taxidermist did a magnificent job of making him look real and alive. ​

I attended a show recently when a multitude of creatures were on display with a commentator who shared the unique qualities of several animals that are in our geographical region.

 

[Roybrew]

If that would've been a real bear, it was nice knowing you.

 

[ppine]

I had a contract in SE Alaska 40 years ago. I saw bears every day in the bush. At first it was very disconcerting and troublesome. Then I started to figure out how they think. The coastal brown bears never gave us a problem. Sometimes the black bears would follow us around.

 

[Northern Dancer]

Yep, the taxidermist did a marvelous job of capturing the spirit of this creature. The fade suggested that a pant of breath was coming from the nostrils. And with the right positioning, I was able to block out distractions.

I've had several bears come into camp. Looking back there were two occasions that I might have been in danger but was unaware of it at the time.

As I've shared with members on this site I took a bear course, learned how to use the spray correctly, and pay attention to my attention while I'm in bear country.

 

[ppine]

My dogs chase bears out of camp.
Working around bears is tricky. You must learn to avoid them.
I like bear spray but still carry firearms in bear country.