When I moved to Vermont, I read up on everything one must do when they encounter a black bear.
Don’t panic. Don’t film it. Make yourself big, loud and intimidating to scare it away. Don’t run.
I read it and repeated it over and over in my head. I pictured it until it was ingrained in muscle memory. I was now a google certified wildlife expert.
So when I came across one today while walking the property, I was set. Or so I thought.
Because here is exactly how the scene played out.
Bear enters scene, moseying across the street in front of me.
I saw it.
Stared at it walking across the road thinking “Huh. That’s big.”
Realized what I was looking at and instantly got my camera out.
Realized when he looked at me that this is exactly one of those dumb ways to die and ran for my life.
Remembered everything I should have done instead once I got safely in the house.In case you don’t believe me, here’s video proof.
Now, this would be great if my story stopped there, but it didn’t. Because at that point, I remembered the cabin.
The Cabin that joins up with my property, who’s owners inhabit a handful of times during the summer. And it just so happens that the owner was there at that moment.
And the bear was coming straight toward him.
And I only had email to contact him by.
But, the universe was apparently giving us a hand because, going on to my deck and looking down the hill to his cabin, I saw that he was outside.
So clearly my best move was to yell at the top of my lungs in hopes that he will hear and take cover.
And that is what I did. I began yelling “BEAR!” multiple times. Throwing my voice as loud as it could possibly go. I have kids so it can get pretty loud.
And he heard!
Well, at least he heard that someone was yelling. He stared my way for a bit, his body reflecting total confusion at this crazy lady screaming at him from the top of the hill. And after awhile he turned and left.
I took that to mean he either heard and was taking cover, or he didn’t hear and had decided I had lost my ever loving mind. And I just hoped the bear went another way due to my frantic yelling.
That’s when I realized my neighbor was coming up the lane to my house.
Right, where that big old bear was.
Oh god! I’ve killed my neighbor!
Which put me in quite the predicament. Do I stay in the safety zone and leave a 70 year old man to fend for himself against a bear?
Or do I risk my own life to go to him and warn him.
Guilt won, and I took the personal risk. I hustled down the deck steps to meet him and warn him.
And that was when I realized we have very different thoughts when encountered by a bear. My thought was “I don’t want to die. Get me out of here.” And his thought was “Cool! I hope I see it!”
He did survive the moment and even got a chance to see the bear later on. But luckily he got his chance to see the bear and I was not there. But maybe a second encounter would be good for me and I’ll be able to better practice my survival skills.
Meh, I‘m okay waiting for a bit.