My peek'aboo bear

Sourdough · #1 01/13/12, 07:01 AM

When I was Homesteading in the "Clearwater Country" about 74'ish I had no neighbors. Winter comes very early up there. One October when there was about 6" of snow I went for a long walk. The next morning as I went to the Outhouse, I discovered Grizzly tracks all around the cabin and the outhouse.

I decided to backtrack the Grizzly to see where it came from, and to my discomfort discovered it had intercepted my footprints from yesterday and followed them to the cabin.

So I decided to make a new loop of fresh me footprints and return to the cabin from a different direction. Yes, the next morning it was clear the Grizzly Bear had slept just outside my cabin door. And had followed every step I made the day before.

Me is not the brightest pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, but was clear I had a problem. And I had still not seen the bear. To make tings even more un-nerving at night the sky was clear and the northern lights would moan/hum/crackle/pop. Few people have ever experience this, but it is very disconcerting when one is alone in the middle of a vast wilderness.

The next night I had the feeling I was being watched, and I took my sawed off shotgun to bed that night out of pure fear. The cabin had 30# roofing felt for siding, which is black tar felt paper held in place with roofing nails. The next morning as I went to read the signs of what my elusive friend was up to. I was shocked to snowy paw prints on each side of two of the windows.

I had still not seen the bear, the next night I saw it looking in the window, it was standing on it's back feet with fore paws on each side of the window. It dropped down and I never saw any sign of that bear again after that. I realize this is a hard to believe event, but it is 100% true. And it gives me the willies to retell even after 36 years.

braggscowboy · #2 01/13/12, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sourdough

When I was Homesteading in the "Clearwater Country" about 74'ish I had no neighbors. Winter comes very early up there. One October when there was about 6" of snow I went for a long walk. The next morning as I went to the Outhouse, I discovered Grizzly tracks all around the cabin and the outhouse.

I decided to backtrack the Grizzly to see where it came from, and to my discomfort discovered it had intercepted my footprints from yesterday and followed them to the cabin.

So I decided to make a new loop of fresh me footprints and return to the cabin from a different direction. Yes, the next morning it was clear the Grizzly Bear had slept just outside my cabin door. And had followed every step I made the day before.

Me is not the brightest pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, but was clear I had a problem. And I had still not seen the bear. To make tings even more un-nerving at night the sky was clear and the northern lights would moan/hum/crackle/pop. Few people have ever experience this, but it is very disconcerting when one is alone in the middle of a vast wilderness.

The next night I had the feeling I was being watched, and I took my sawed off shotgun to bed that night out of pure fear. The cabin had 30# roofing felt for siding, which is black tar felt paper held in place with roofing nails. The next morning as I went to read the signs of what my elusive friend was up to. I was shocked to snowy paw prints on each side of two of the windows.

I had still not seen the bear, the next night I saw it looking in the window, it was standing on it's back feet with fore paws on each side of the window. It dropped down and I never saw any sign of that bear again after that. I realize this is a hard to believe event, but it is 100% true. And it gives me the willies to retell even after 36 years.

Could easily happen, all animals have their own personality. If he had the chance, he may have eaten you, or he was not hungry, buy only, like the wolves just curious. As you know an animal is not as likely to attack unless hungry, startled, or with young. But, then there are the ones for no apparent reason will attack and kill if they have the opportunity.

ninny · #3 01/13/12, 03:39 PM

He was storing you in his memory banks for when times got lean and he needed a meal.

.

braggscowboy · #4 01/13/12, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninny

He was storing you in his memory banks for when times got lean and he needed a meal.

.

Wanted to make sure he was staying. Had him in the bank, so to spek, get him anytime. Kinda like fishing or hunting, we know where to go when we get hungry or like going to moms to eat.

braggscowboy · #5 01/13/12, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninny

He was storing you in his memory banks for when times got lean and he needed a meal.

.

Wanted to make sure he was staying there. Had him in the bank, so to speak, get him anytime. Kinda like fishing or hunting, we know where to go when we get hungry or like going to moms to eat a good meal.

denaliguide · #6 01/15/12, 06:52 PM

a griz guide I knew, had is sawed-off 10 ga double, he slept as good as one could in that country. Slept in tents when I was out, rather than in the open, except when I didnt have one with me by accident. Two times I felt uneasy, both when I did NOT have a dog with me...my bad.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by braggscowboy

Wanted to make sure he was staying. Had him in the bank, so to spek, get him anytime. Kinda like fishing or hunting, we know where to go when we get hungry or like going to moms to eat.