Ever stumble on a bear den , we did today .

[richardg40]

We are having our 100 acres woodlot cut this winter and since they were done last friday we decided to walk the property line . The wood processor operator told me last week that he was making the road a little larger with his bucket loader and he picked up mother bear in his bucket from her den , paws swinging and growling . He dropped her gently and she took off running . She had 2 small cubs in her den and she came back for them but one of them was dead so she took the other one out of harms way . This wood processor has been doing this for 30 years and said he never experienced something like this before .

Today while walking the property line we found her new den ,with lots of trees scratched all around that area and bear poop and tracks / This den is just under some fallen trees . We didn't take pictures because we were afraid she would come after us .

 

[red oak]

Wow - that's pretty awesome! I'd love to see that....from a distance!

 

[pen]

Haven't come across one in person either.

That's too bad about the one little one that didn't make it.

pen

 

[DanCorcoran]

Bears rule...

 

[westkywood]

It never happened without pics... LOL. Now get in there and get some pictures for the forum.

 

[Shane N]

Our land used to be owned by a timber company. They left a few large slash piles. Pretty sure at least one of them has a black bear den. We catch pictures of black bears & cubs on our cams all the time too.

 

[Mrs. Krabappel]

I found a Carolina wren den in my woodpile today. Does that count?

 

[Adabiviak]

...he picked up mother bear in his bucket from her den , paws swinging and growling . He dropped her gently and she took off running.

Was she hibernating? Was he insane? I guess he's relatively safe in the loader, but still.

She had 2 small cubs in her den and she came back for them but one of them was dead so she took the other one out of harms way.

 

[richardg40]

She was hibernating . He didn't see her and didn't pick her up on purpose . He only noticed her in the bucket after it was way up in the air .

 

[gmule]

I occasionally see bears running across the road but I have not seen a den.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Don't take pictures- you are wise to leave her alone. She doesn't need the stress and too much interference will be nothing but bad. Good for you trying to do the right thing!

 

[Jags]

I am pretty sure that I would make a mental note to stay the heck away from that corner of the woods.

 

[rideau]

Had neighbors tell me they saw a bear at my gate. Two days later I find my bale of peat torn open. Then bear poop on my sister's road. Then my aunt, 60 acres away, calls to tell me a bear is looking in her kitchen window. But what really shook me was when I was walking to the gate with my Wheaten. I had looked down to check my lace because a sneaker felt loose; as I looked down, I heard a sound in front of me and to the right. I didn't have time to look to see what it was. My dog tensed for an instant, then turned and tore off for home. I figured "bear" and took off after him.

In a way, I'm glad it happened. He herds deer, chases turkeys, chases the raven (ha!). I'd been worried about what would happen if he met a bear. I now know I don't need to worry. He won't meet a bear. Smart dog.

 

[pen]

My dog tensed for an instant, then turned and tore off for home. I figured "bear" and took off after him.

Reminded me of this T:

(broken image removed)

pen