This weekend while fly-fishing in a remote wilderness area, I was startled when a large black bear stepped out of a laurel thicket and nonchalantly waked past me within 10-15 feet. He raised his head sniffed the wind and turned to stare directly at me. After a few sniffs, he turned away, bounded across the river and trotted along the shore, disappearing around a bend. Although this was a wonderful and thrilling experience, I’m experiencing quite a bit of apprehension and anxiety about venturing out alone anytime soon. I’m overreacting to every noise I hear, and imagining I’ll run head on into another bear around every turn in my path. I have spent most of my life in remote outdoor environments and have always enjoyed the solitude without the slightest hint of fear. Any suggestions how I might get over these feelings?

Dave

Walk noisily and carry a big gun.

Try not to look like a ham sandwich ! Actually black bears are rarely a problem. There's a lot of hysteria about black bears but when at nose to nose and they ignore you you get a different sense.

Bring along a buddy, and put a can of sardines in his pack. Walk ahead of him. Problem solved!

KG

Mete I suggest you read the book"Bear Attacks" before you go into the bush where black bears live.If you see a bear while you are in the bush unarmed you should be alert 99 bears out of 100 will avoid you and you will never see them.999 out of 1000 will not bother you the other ONE will kill you and eat you.The problem is you don't know which one it will be.

bear spray?pistol?fierce dog? or stay home.
once had a 350# black bear skid to a stop within 6 feet while trying to bugle in a elk for a bowhunter.there i stood with an elk bugle for defense,so i did what any one would do and threw it at him at the same time yelling and i quote"you better get the hell outta here"! the bear was gone as fast as he appeared.funny part of it all the hunter was a dear old friend of mine that has since passed on and was up in his years,he turns around and asks me who am i yelling at?thou the bear was only 10 ft from his position he hadn't seen it.
i told him what had happened and every noise was a bear from then on for him too.
easy to get worked up over such an encounter, that moment of realization that you are not the top of the food chain and are defenseless....
i recommend the bear spray,works on all animals
four legged and two

I'm not a big fan of bear spray, since most of the time in the high country I have a cross-wind blowing that would take cause the folks visiting the Calary Tower to get tearful eyes whenever I used it.

My choice would still be a double action revolver in a suitable caliber... but the Government of Canada does not agree...at least previous governments didn't and the current is running the show on a minority.

Frans

When baiting was still legal here in Washington we could actually start placing baits a month in advance of the spring season. I was packing about 75 pounds of meat scraps to one of my sites. I turned the last bend of the trail and there at 15 yards was a beautiful cinnamon bear. He looked at me, I looked at him. When I reached for the only gun I had, a Ruger Single-Six .22 LR the bear took off. After that I began carrying a short barrled 12 gauge pump. But I think the best cure for the nerves is to walk 3-4 miles to a deer stand or elk area in the dark-you know you have to be there before sunrise afterall. If that doesn't work come out of the woods at sunset with a boned out deer on your back. AFter a couple trips like that you'll be used to the "nerves".

Black bears kill a lot more people that the "brown ones".
Get a 4" S&W 44 Mag.
Learn how to shoot it, practice, load it with heavy cast bullets.

Be alert, see the bear before he sees you.

With the 44 and the knowledge how to use it you have a chance.
Without it you are food.

What would Life be, if you didn't have your bones rattled once in a while
Grizz

I'd make sure the pistol you select can handle the pressures from heavy hard cast bullets. I use to carry a shotgun with me but that got to cumbersome so I switched to a 4 5/8" New Super Blackhawk SS 44 mag and I run 320 grain Alaskan Backpacker HC bullets through it.

I have since, had a couple of more encounters, I now carry spray, but the bears have just run off when they realize I’m there. I assume that being in the water quiets my movements & lessens my overall scent. At least I have a good location to hunt bear this fall, as my sister wants a rug, but they’re very expensive.

Dave

Bear spray works very well............'specially if it contains lead.

I carry bear spray..that way both parties can walk away from the encounter. The bear should not be penalized for doing what comes natural...we're in their house and should play by their rules.

Most folks who think that if they need to, they can make a killing shot on something running at them at 35 mph at close range with a firearm are kidding themselves. Go to the range and give it a try...I've seen IPSC shooters humbled.

MG

Very well said MG! You'll be hearing from several J-Off's who frequent these pages who have the "problem". The need to shoot anything that doesn't shoot back. Fasten your seat belt they'll be playin' ya some banjo music soon.