Bears - Wolves - Alligators

[Pete-IN]

While watching a TV program I saw some folks being chased by a brown bear and they hid under a pickup (yes, I know it is all fake). I live in northern Indiana on 10 acres of woods in a farming community. I got to thinking there is not many rural areas where a person could go for a walk in the woods or safely let a 2 yr old wander around the yard without the danger of 4 legged predators. Northern areas have bears. Southern areas have bears and alligators. Out west is mountain lions among other critters. In this area there are coyotes but I have never heard of them dragging a kid away. Is your area 4 legged predator free like where I live? Notice I said 4 legged, not 2 legged. Every area has their druggies and child molestors.

 

[Steve in VA]

While watching a TV program I saw some folks being chased by a brown bear and they hid under a pickup (yes, I know it is all fake). I live in northern Indiana on 10 acres of woods in a farming community. I got to thinking there is not many rural areas where a person could go for a walk in the woods or safely let a 2 yr old wander around the yard without the danger of 4 legged predators. Northern areas have bears. Southern areas have bears and alligators. Out west is mountain lions among other critters. In this area there are coyotes but I have never heard of them dragging a kid away. Is your area 4 legged predator free like where I live? Notice I said 4 legged, not 2 legged. Every area has their druggies and child molestors.

We have coyotes and bears. I've become much more religious about having the 1911 when I go out. In addition to a big bullet, the noise is impressive.

 

[Vito]

For the most pretty clear in this suburban neighborhood. Last house had quite a few. They never really bothered anyone that I know.

Vito

 

[rrlund]

Coyotes, bobcats the size of coyotes, black bears and cougars. For all the talk about them though, you never hear of anybody or any livestock being bothered by them. My son shot a deer and said he saw a bobcat drag it off. He has them on trail cam and pictures that he's taken of them with his phone and the size of them is pretty impressive.

 

[jdeere562]

Every area deals with some sort of critter.

 

[GChief]

We live on a swamp in SE Va. So bears and coyotes. And don't forget the Eagles and Osprey fishing in our pond Before that, 5 yrs ago, we lived in NE NC on the North River about 3 miles up from the Albemarle Sound surrounded by a state bear sanctuary. Our pups were always chasing bears away.

 

[Charlie M]

Maybe you should move to western NY - mostly have to worry about ticks and coyotes and hitting a deer with your car. LOL

 

[40Mule]

Bear a few hundred yards behind house three years ago.. Mid Michigan Coyote dragged a neighbor's dog away maybe ten years ago deer so arrogant they stand in raised beds while you yell.

 

[Fawteen]

10 feet from my living room bay window.

Moose are not to be screwed with either.

There have been reports of big cats, but I've never seen one.

 

[wh]

We have coyotes, bobcats, a few bears in area and ticks! Would rather deal with the critters than the ticks. At least you can see the critters. Was not out of norm in summer to find a tick on me. Never a problem. In 2011 got one and ever since if one sticks on me I wind up at urgent care. Take antibiotics for several days. Few years ago found a very small one between my fingers. Was stuck. Area around it very red. Went to urgent care. They got it and drew blood. Gave me some high dose anti biotic. Called a few days later and said I was positive for rocky mt spotted fever. Took antibiotics for long time. Never had any ill symptoms. I hate ticks!

 

[Richard G.]

While watching a TV program I saw some folks being chased by a brown bear and they hid under a pickup (yes, I know it is all fake). I live in northern Indiana on 10 acres of woods in a farming community. I got to thinking there is not many rural areas where a person could go for a walk in the woods or safely let a 2 yr old wander around the yard without the danger of 4 legged predators. Northern areas have bears. Southern areas have bears and alligators. Out west is mountain lions among other critters. In this area there are coyotes but I have never heard of them dragging a kid away. Is your area 4 legged predator free like where I live? Notice I said 4 legged, not 2 legged. Every area has their druggies and child molestors.

Here in NW SC, we have bear, coyotes, wild boar, bobcats, and black panthers.
DNR says we don't have black panthers and in the same paragraph, say But if you see one, don't shoot it.
I have several friends that have seen them and 2 policemen that saw one on two nights in a row.

 

[cjunrau]

coyotes, bear, and hogs. Never have issues with any, we shoot so many that they are scared of human sent.

 

[Gary Reif]

Mainly coyotes here in central Ks. Don't have to drive very far on any major road to find dead deer in the ditch. Some reports of Bobcats.

 

[buzzinduzzin]

we have a Ptitzker here in Illinois

 

[Teakettle]

MA/RI border here. Lots of coyotes and bobcats and a few black bears. Fishers as well. Likely a few lynxes too but the authorities insist they’re just big bobcats that people are seeing.

Interestingly the feral housecats go out in groups and chase the coyotes off their territory (I’ve seen this first hand more than once)

 

[Russ from MN]

We're seeing more bears on our game cameras this year, and fewer deer fawns, there may be a connection. I don't worry about the bears, but I do carry a handgun sometimes, if I'm not carrying a chainsaw!

 

[Ray,IN]

We have black bear in S. Indiana but they avoid human contact, and retreat into Crane Navel Weapons Support Center when spotted. Used to have a Bobcat population, but after they figured out it was much easier to catch a farmers young calf than deer the population has declined quite a bit, due to repercussions.

 

[da.bees]

In every case I've heard of where wild animals were ongoing attacking people, there was a common denominator to all events. I'll give you a chance to dwell on what the denominator always is. Over the years there were rare reports of bear and mountain lion around here that most folks considered fabricated or imagined. As doorbell,securty,trailcam and other cameras became more prevalent, so did bears and cats. Seldom a month goes by without pic of a bear or cat on social media.
Have you figured out what causes wild animals to attack people? Feeding them. Texas forbids visitors feeding wildlife (deer in particular) in state parks. Deer "attacks" went from common to near unheard of after law went into effect. It's an ongoing battle between park rangers and visitors in Yellowstone over feeding animals. Most common cause of death or injury results from being freight trained by bison.

 

[RedWhiteandBlueWoods]

Black Bears and coyotes around here, occasional wolf, mainly up north though. Ill hear the coyotes at night by the stables, across the road in the neighbors forest. My dad and his brother saw a Dogman chasing a deer at the farm in the early thousands while they were cutting firewood one evening. About 430-5 o'clock, gaining on it too.

 

[Steve in VA]

We live on a swamp in SE Va. So bears and coyotes. And don't forget the Eagles and Osprey fishing in our pond Before that, 5 yrs ago, we lived in NE NC on the North River about 3 miles up from the Albemarle Sound surrounded by a state bear sanctuary. Our pups were always chasing bears away.

Its that time of year when the yearling bears leave the national forests west of me and drift down your way. In a week or so the news will have "bear seen in Richmond suburbs".