Surprised by Mamma Bear

Close Encounter with Mama Bear

Living next to a national forest, I’m always aware that wildlife—especially black bears—can show up anytime, especially in the spring when they’re hungry and looking for food.

At our place, bears usually come out of the woods from the same spot on the east side of our yard. They tend to follow the same paths year after year, especially if they’ve found food there before.

One morning around 6 a.m., I walked out to check on my garden, about 30 feet from our cabin. Like always, I glanced toward the woods as I wandered around. Our Jeep was parked between me and the forest that day, so I didn’t see anything at first. But once I walked past the Jeep and looked up—there she was. A mama bear. Standing just 50 feet away.

I froze and thought, “Oh crap.” I had no phone, no bear spray—nothing.

She started walking slowly, so I did too—heading calmly back toward the cabin. Every time she stopped and looked at me, I stopped. When she looked away and moved, I’d take a few more steps. We did this little dance three times.

Finally, I got within a few feet of the cabin. She looked right at me again, and I quickly slipped around the corner, onto the porch, and into the cabin. I grabbed my small .22 pistol—not to harm her, just to make some noise.

By the time I got back out, she was already running back into the woods. I fired a shot into the air, just to reinforce the message: this isn’t a good place to hang out.

I’d never want to hurt her or her cub, but we do share this land, and it’s important to set boundaries—for safety on both sides. I haven’t seen her since, and I’ve decided not to put out any bird food for the rest of the summer.

Video below of baby bear getting up on the table or click this link HERE, Baby Bear

Surprised by Momma Bear

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