ags,

I have heard before that when fishing in grizzly bear country you don't have to be able to outrun a bear, you just have to be able to outrun your fishing partner.

Adam started this thread writing about black bears. We live with black bears all around us, and when we see one in the woods, or on the lawn, or on the porch, we stand up to them and speak loudly, and they retreat pretty quickly. It would not be wise to run from a black bear, because then she might confuse you with a prey animal.

I am several weight classes above that, but I have no doubt I would be pinned pretty quickly in a wrestling match with a 150 pound bear. People are pretty soft compared to wild animals. I don’t think I could handle a grown raccoon, even. Maybe a squirrel.