Hello all...I live in the mountains of Western
North Carolina and we have rattlers and copperheads but I have never had a
problem on the trails with either. However, for the last two years many of us
have had trouble with bears. The first incident, Renegade, who has done
everything except bolt did just that and it took about 1/4 mile before I could
stop him. After much fighting, dancing and prancing went back toward where we
had been and saw a black bear in the middle of the gravel road we had just been
on. Could not believe it, I never heard or saw a thing. The next incident was a
couple of months later and luckily we were on a long straight stretch of
dirt road and saw mom and cub come out of the woods and onto the road. We very
quickly and politely declined a meeting and went in the opposite direction.
Renegade and (me too) stayed aggitated and nervous the rest of the afternoon.
Not pleasant! Anyone else have that happen and what would you do say if the bear
was down wind and came out close to you. Obviously stay on your horse but would
they give chase? I know they can run fast esp. down hill. I've worried about it
alot so when Rene spooks now in the woods I listen cause it might be a bear
instead of a deer or turkey....Sharon Hinshaw
