Chow DOWN!

Our English friend Malcolm is a dry fellow, which is one reason we like him so much. His wife  Penny turned from her gardening in late June to see a big momma bear standings some 30 feet away. Here below is a note Malcolm posted, some of which is from a website about bear attacks. He has it on the fridge of their summer cottage where we ate last night and since our summer cottage is just a couple of coves away, I  can tell that it sure put a renewed fear of sleepwalking into THIS little camper!"Black Bears: for the first time in ten years, we’ve seen black bears on our property (as of June 2009).  Multiple sightings of one family, with two cubs, in our driveway, between the house and the tennis court, in the woods, up the street, etc.  So be alert if you’re outside.  You don’t want to find yourself close to the cubs, or come across the bears unexpectedly.  In general, if you’re walking outside, stay alert and make plenty of noise.  These bears are not large ones, and look like big hairy dogs from a distance, but should be left well alone.  They can run 30-40mph for short distances, and climb trees quicker than you.  You don’t want them paying attention to you.

"What to do if you come across a bear:

• If you see it and it is unaware of you, stay quiet and move away in the opposite direction.
• If it is already aware of you, speak calmly and move your arms (this helps them identify you as a human, because they have poor eyesight).  The bear will most likely move away from you.
• If not, walk away from it, keep on talking calmly.
• If the bear charges, it is usually a bluff charge first, just to see if you’ll back off.  Back off in a deliberate fashion.  Don’t run.  Avoid direct eye contact.  Pick up a stick.
• If it actually attacks you, fight ferociously. If you’re losing, curl up on the ground in fetal position, with hands covering the back of your neck, a vulnerable area. And, as the Americans say, enjoy!"