Question for you North Zoners

[RCR]

Just curious, as I read more more about the bear population I have to wonder if you guys ever encounter them and what precautions you take for yourself and you dogs?  Mostly I hunt coastal in South Jersey so its not something I have been concerned with. 

[Jcol6268]

I’ve never run into a bear while waterfowl hunting. I can’t say I recall it ever being an issue for any of my buddies either. For the most part, the bears want nothing to do with you either. 

[Bucksnbows]

9 minutes ago, RCR said:

Just curious, as I read more more about the bear population I have to wonder if you guys ever encounter them and what precautions you take for yourself and you dogs?  Mostly I hunt coastal in South Jersey so its not something I have been concerned with. 

You're holding a shotgun in your hands, so you have nothing to worry about.  I never used a dog to waterfowl hunt, but I very often grouse and woodcock hunted in areas with ludicrous numbers of bears and I never had a problem.  They can be heard at times running out of the cover you and the dog are in and getting out of Dodge.  I wouldn't worry.

[electricstart]

I have seen many while hunting or just scouting. Never a problem. I go my way they go their way. If I had a dog I would leash him . 

[Jim_]

58 minutes ago, RCR said:

...  precautions you take for yourself and you dogs? ...

I have to keep my dog leashed, with a quick release collar. The collar removal is actually her release to retrieve the duck.

Ever since she got into a fight with a bear in my backyard, she has a strong bear prey drive. It's the only time she may ignore my control, and I lost her for a night in the woods when she took off after a bear while duck hunting. When hunting stocked pheasants on WMAs I keep a training collar on her. 

[CJ3a]

Bears hate dogs and dogs love to fight bears 

[Merkel]

I frequently encounter bears. Never had a problem. Had 2 climb up my stand on different properties. Just yelled and they ran off.

Here's one playing with a water bottle I dropped. Unable to upload the video (keep getting an error message)  but after I stopped recording it shook my ladder stand then climbed up. I yelled. It looked up, climbed down and ran off. LOL