Log in Subscribe
Ramona's Ramblings

Oh, let me be your Teddy bear…no thank you

Ramona Jan
Posted 1/18/22

Life changed dramatically when I moved from city to country. It suddenly went from watching my back to regularly sighting eagles, hawks and egrets as well as slithering unidentifiable snakes; from …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in
Ramona's Ramblings

Oh, let me be your Teddy bear…no thank you

Posted

Life changed dramatically when I moved from city to country. It suddenly went from watching my back to regularly sighting eagles, hawks and egrets as well as slithering unidentifiable snakes; from hearing car alarms all night to midnight howling coyotes; from second-story men to one baby raccoon stealing my deli sandwich. I’ve stepped over a dead-playing opossum and woke a cross fox from napping in my driveway. In the woods, I’ve spotted bobcats and in my back yard once what appeared to be a mountain lion. But nothing flings me further from my city roots than a number of encounters with large black bears.

Encounter #1: Early AM-springtime. I hear a commotion out my back porch. I open the door wide to a very large black bear. I close the door, get a pan and spoon and then open it again. Bear is about three feet from me. I bang on the pan. Bear backs away and then sizes me up and confidently struts toward me. I go inside, lock all doors and hide while bear demolishes my trash.

Encounter #2: It’s summertime. I’m in my outbuilding; doors wide open; a delicious breeze wafting through. Suddenly, there’s a smell. Is it a dog, a cat? No, it’s a big black bear and he’s actually in the building and blocking my only exit. I throw my arms in the air to make myself appear bigger plus I attempt a growl because I heard this was a good idea, but the only thing that comes out is a cough. Bear looks at me quizzically. I quickly pick up an old noisy drill and fire it up. Bear crashes sideways through the door cracking the frame on the way out.

Encounter #3: I’m riding my bike on River Road. I see something out the corner of my eye. It’s a velvety tumbleweed. No! It’s a bear and I’m about to hit it with my bike. I slam on the brakes. They squeal. Bear stops right in front of me. I swerve to avoid it and just keep peddling like mad. I don’t look back.

Encounter #4: I’m walking up Tower Road. Exercising without eyeglasses. Terrible idea. Halfway, I see what looks like an oil tank dead center of the road. I wonder why someone would leave an oil tank there. The tank has what appears to be a tan nozzle. Because I’m a responsible person, I have a strong desire to check if the nozzle is tight. I get within fifteen feet of the tank and realize it’s a bear. I turn and run like hell. Later, I find out when encountering a bear, back away slowly while keeping an eye on it; NEVER run.

Encounter #5: I’m swimming in the river. A car stops and two people start pointing and stuttering. They’re trying to tell me something. Within arm’s length of me is a very large floating head; looks like a Labrador retriever but way bigger. The current keeps pushing us closer together as we both head to the shore. We exit the river and stand side by side. It’s a bear. It shakes like a dog spraying me with water, then climbs up the riverbank, and disappears into the woods. Although I don’t condone it, I reassure the people, “I am the one who swims with bears!”

The Catskills Mountain have the highest density of black bears in all of NYS; about 1,500 to 2,000. Bears have poor eyesight, but a keen sense of smell so if you can, stay downwind of them. They snap and jump when threatened and can climb trees and swim.

None of them want to be your teddy bear, so refrain from taking pictures and above all, don’t approach the cubs. Bears generally shy away from loud noises. I now carry a party noisemaker with me whenever I leave the house.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here