Just knowing they are there would keep me from enjoying quite as much.
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Yeah. I’ll just have to go to jail for shooting a bear if he comes at me. But that’s not safe.
Don't think I'd worry about any kind of confrontation guys. Think about it, how many bears are in all the other places around the US/Canada and how many times have you ever heard of a bank fisherman getting mauled. Like never!!!! Bears will move into new areas as they get pushed out of their home turf with population growth. I shot a real nice one in NY that I believe got pushed out of PA as he got old. PA has a phenomenal bear program to grow that resource. The bears from FL will move N and the bears from TN will move S. It's not like we don't get occasional sightings in AL anyway. I remember a few years back were DNR had to go into town in Athens and get one out of tree in town.
tlefire LIKED above post
OMG.
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I'm no expert, but Black Bears are typically non aggressive. There "go to" survival tactic (even a mother with cubs) is to run away from you. Northern Arkansas has thousands of bears and extensive hunting and fishing with almost zero incidents. Most problems occur from feeding them or leaving food available where they are attracted to the same areas as humans. Your much more likely to be hit by a drunk driver (or texting) or a dummy in a powerboat that thinks everyone should watch out for them.
I think it could be a issue if you had a stringer of fish while bank fishing. But I have to say if you were to shot a bear in self defense I don't think you will have a jury in the us the will convict you . Unless you get a jury of snowflakes.