Black Bears

[sona]

Have you considered an electric fence, at least around the garden? Make sure to turn it off before you or mama go to tend it

That's a good idea! I will pass that along. They like the garden the most it seems.

 

[sona]

Seems like it would be worth researching TWRA guidelines, as “run you into the house and take a swipe at your backside” seems awfully narrow. From what I see around here, bears that become way too comfortable around humans and are fearless generally get transported up into the mountains. That peering through the kitchen window would generally do the trick. Maybe especially tell them that it’s a mother bear + cub(s).

I completely understand about your garden. I have had the same issue with cucumber and bean beetles, although at least they are a lot smaller and I can squish them between thumb and index finger, which has become a source of grim satisfaction this summer.

I will have the owner contact them. Maybe they can do something before someone gets swiped. So far it is just garden damage and a broken car window. Thanks.

 

[VolNExile]

I will have the owner contact them. Maybe they can do something before someone gets swiped. So far it is just garden damage and a broken car window. Thanks.

Broken car window! — economic damage.

 

[hoop235]

I will have the owner contact them. Maybe they can do something before someone gets swiped. So far it is just garden damage and a broken car window. Thanks.

A small 410 shotgun with birdshot does wonders to deter them from coming around and looking into windows and chicken coops.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

TN has a self defense against wild animals law but it is probably easier to prove self defense against a human. For instance, you have a duty to retreat from an animal (if you're out in the open and retreat is possible) and you have to be in fear for your own person (you can't take out a bear to defend someone else). TWRA has discretion in charging people under the wildlife laws. My guess is that they have a record of anyone who contacts them and asks about removing nuisance bears. If a bear winds up dead at one of those people's homes, it's probably gonna raise a red flag right out of the gate. Remember the old saying: It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

 

[GreveHaller]

Racist thread. All bears matter

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

holy crap. i do not want to die by bear.

 

[sona]

Free bear: basically housebroken and likes to stay clean. Must pick up!

 

[hndog609]

TN has a self defense against wild animals law but it is probably easier to prove self defense against a human. For instance, you have a duty to retreat from an animal (if you're out in the open and retreat is possible) and you have to be in fear for your own person (you can't take out a bear to defend someone else). TWRA has discretion in charging people under the wildlife laws.

I'm pretty sure defense of another person can't possibly be excluded from a lethal force claim if the threat is considered legitimate.

Bear shot in Sevierville after allegedly making aggressive advancements toward woman | WATE 6 On Your Side

The discretionary part with TWRA is true though so it might be harder to predict where they'd draw the line.

 

[walkenvol]

Free bear: basically housebroken and likes to stay clean. Must pick up!

I’d second the suggestion of bird shot in a higher gauged shotgun - same thing if you have a meth or crack head that won’t quit bothering you.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

I'm pretty sure defense of another person can't possibly be excluded from a lethal force claim if the threat is considered legitimate.

Bear shot in Sevierville after allegedly making aggressive advancements toward woman | WATE 6 On Your Side

The discretionary part with TWRA is true though so it might be harder to predict where they'd draw the line.

when I read the pertinent statutory provisions, here is what caught my eye with emphasis added:

Self defense against animals. Tenn. Code 70-4-134(b)

A person who is charged with taking, attempting to take, or harming a wild animal in violation of this title may assert the defense of self-defense if the wild animal taken, attempted to be taken, or harmed acted in a manner that caused:

(1) The person to have a reasonable belief that the animal's action placed the person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury;

(2) The person to believe the danger creating the threat of imminent death or serious bodily injury is real, or is honestly believed to be real at the time; and

(3) The belief of danger to be founded upon reasonable grounds.

Defense of a third person. Tenn. Code 39-11-612

A person is justified in threatening or using force against another to protect a third person, if:

(1) Under the circumstances as the person reasonably believes them to be, the person would be justified under 39-11-611 in threatening or using force to protect against the use or attempted use of unlawful force reasonably believed to be threatening the third person sought to be protected; and

(2) The person reasonably believes that the intervention is immediately necessary to protect the third person.

I would think that TWRA would not charge someone for a legitimate use of force to protect the life of another person when the people involved did not do anything to provoke the animal attack, but it looks like it would be their call. You could always hope to get some bear hater like @joevol33 on your jury.

 

[hndog609]

when I read the pertinent statutory provisions, here is what caught my eye with emphasis added:

Self defense against animals. Tenn. Code 70-4-134(b)


Defense of a third person. Tenn. Code 39-11-612



I would think that TWRA would not charge someone for a legitimate use of force to protect the life of another person when the people involved did not do anything to provoke the animal attack, but it looks like it would be their call. You could always hope to get some bear hater like @joevol33 on your jury.

Part of my defense lawyers selection process would be if anyone had watched The Revenant, The Edge or Grizzly.

 

[lukeneyland]

I’m going to be doing some Hiking out in the mountains after the TN game with my girl. Probably will be bringing a gun for the bears. I have no desire to harm an animal but I’ve heard some pretty scary stories from relatives about what a Bear can do

 

[lukeneyland]

I’d second the suggestion of bird shot in a higher gauged shotgun - same thing if you have a meth or crack head that won’t quit bothering you.

Wouldn’t that just piss the bear off and make him more determined to attack you? I don’t know a whole lot about this sort of thing aside from a rudimentary understanding of what is thought to be adequate for bears

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Best defense is to hike with someone you and your lady can both outrun.

 

[MAD]

Best defense is to hike with someone you and your lady can both outrun.

Lol

 

[walkenvol]

Wouldn’t that just piss the bear off and make him more determined to attack you? I don’t know a whole lot about this sort of thing aside from a rudimentary understanding of what is thought to be adequate for bears

Watch the season 8 of “Alone - Grizzly Mountain” on Netflix to see how they deal with bears. Loud noises were effective .

I would do my bird shot suggestion right outside the door then quickly get inside !

 

[walkenvol]

Best defense is to hike with someone you and your lady can both outrun.

Or based on the previous video, maybe a potbelly pig on a leash?

 

[lukeneyland]

Watch the season 8 of “Alone - Grizzly Mountain” on Netflix to see how they deal with bears. Loud noises were effective .

I would do my bird shot suggestion right outside the door then quickly get inside !

I’ve heard stories of them taking a quite a pounding from non lethal wounds and then preceding to kill or attack the person. Guess they are all tempered differently. If I’m ever forced to make that choice I won’t be taking any chances with that

 

[VolInNorthCack]

Watch the season 8 of “Alone - Grizzly Mountain” on Netflix to see how they deal with bears. Loud noises were effective .

I would do my bird shot suggestion right outside the door then quickly get inside !

Great show! I love Alone. This season was crazy. no way i would do that lol.

 

[MAD]

This bear doesn’t care if he was invited or not.

 

[MAD]

I have been to Gatlinburg tons of times, never seen a bear.

 

[VolInNorthCack]

I have been to Gatlinburg tons of times, never seen a bear.

That's a shame. That poor bear is probably going to get euthanized at some point because one person probably started it all for that bear. Someone gave it food and it started coming back and got more food. Now it sees downtown G-burg as a place for food. And that is going to get it killed. Sad.