Actually, I meant to say black bear. I'm from New York City (Westchester). I hunt upstate, but since during any given year I generally only eat what I catch, kill or grow (I make exceptions), I usually travel a few places to stock up. I hunt Virginia (and surrounding areas) and other places, including places in Europe and Canada. But mainly I stay on the east coast of the US (NY and VA).
I have never visited Alaska. I have a good friend in Anchorage who swears by the place. He’s a military guy and says I would be right at home. He tells me that while the weather gets cold, Alaska is not everywhere the Sahara of Snow it is commonly made to be. Awhile back I took an elk out west and that was an amazing experience. Now I am interested in moose (as it ought to give enough meat to last awhile). That has to be an even greater experience. So Alaska is looking very good to me, as is Vermont and Maine. I will try to learn what I need to get started, so that I might get a shot at it next year.
The problem is, I don't much like bears. I was hiking the GW National Forest once, and walked up on a Black Bear. Mercy I had never seen one in the wild that close. Usually they are far off and even then it is awe-inspiring. This guy was close-- too close. And he just stopped and stared at me-- didn't run or anything. I slowly backed away, and he continued on his way as if I were nothing at all. After a change of underwear, I made a promise to pack a pistol whenever I’m in the woods-- just in case. I am not a bear hunter, have no interest in it at all. But I don’t want to be any bear’s lunch either. I can scarcely imagine the sensation of a close Grizzly encounter. Lawd, that has to be amazing. |
