I know I live close to a greenbelt, but still. We usually have a bear roam through the neighbourhood about every second or third year. I saw two of them in the wee hours on my way to work and my neighbours have seen several during daylight and evening hours. As far as I know there were eight or nine sightings so far this year, including a momma and two cubs.
Last evening, my wife was in the front yard reading on the swing, the kids were in the back yard in the pool and I am working downstairs,
when she comes in telling me we have a visitor. After ascertaining it was of the black furry kind and I still had two kids in the back yard with no means of escape, I unlocked the shotgun, loaded up and went outside. The kids came out from the back and made it back in the house safely and I went to the end of the driveway, yelling and screaming at it to go away, fully prepared to use lethal force if the bear forced the issue.
Working downstairs again tonight, about the same time. Momma and at least one cub, with everyone safe and accounted for, so I left the shotgun locked up. I'm curious to see what will happen tomorrow. That's 3 bears within 30m of the house in 24 hours.
I know something has to be done. I'm not sure what.
I do know that these bears are too habituated to humans and they need to be taught some healthy respect. My wife tried the car horn yesterday and the bear looked over and went right back to what he was doing. That doesn't work. I'd love to have access to bear bangers and rubber slugs or beanbag rounds as well as blessing to use them from law enforcement, but that won't happen anytime soon.
According to the news, 1/3 of the bear calls this year are from Sudbury. We MAY have a problem?
