Seen in Print

[Rufus T. Firefly]

And consider this, if a bear does kill you, the bear will be hunted down and eliminated. Your sacrifice will make the woods safe again for other hikers.

How comforting..........and only safe from that bear.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

...but would I have to bring my own food...

Good idea, the bears will love you.
Reference: https://youtu.be/fBnGe9HDGBI
Fast forward to 3:19 where the bear manages to hook the window, break the glass and get to the food.

...

Another nugget of wisdom, via filmed experience, from the Wayne. Thank you, once again! I don't carry food in my car, nor do I eat in it, other than bottles of Ensure (discarded once consumed), but the casual attitude of the people, esp. that woman in the shorts, was amazing to see. Even children pranced by. Wow.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

[MurphOnMillerAve]

...What happened to your attitude on not giving way to dogs? Dogs attack and kill humans far more often than bears.
Reference: http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statis ... 2016.php...

I remain adamant. I do not move, continuing to walk equipped with iron bar, wasp spray, pepper spray, and a very sharp army-issue knife, all in a shoulder-carried canvas bag. I am also still prepared to first be friendly and cheerful and calm in my tone of voice and overall posture if I elect to address one who comes nearby. If everything turns out sweet, fine, as it did last year when a pit-bull came upon me. If not, I am very happy to comply with the sprays and iron bar (a short, thick crowbar-type thing.) There's something about dogs and me, I just don't like them. It must be a genetic-memory thing from an original me of 10,000+ years ago, or something. I have tolerated many of them, even finding some very affectionate to me, but I am still only faking it and keeping an emotional distance.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

...I still say you are your own worst enemy. Now you are letting fear of bears stop you from enjoying a tranquil hike in the woods.
“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”--FDR

We'll see. I can be a mercurial fellow. The chapters in this forest story are not all written as yet. I remain tempted. All it takes is a 3-4 hr drive from here. My trusty metal baseball bat is already in the car - has been.

The "tranquil" part remains dubious. When does that happen?

[webenda]

I only carry a bible.
Palm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

I only carry a bible.
Palm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Excellent point. I carry such connection in my heart and do trust He will take care of me, too. However, He expects us to do our part to use our intelligence to help ourselves out, too. One can't expect to win the lottery if we don't at least buy a ticket. We have to do our part.

[robert.]

You have a better chance of winning power ball then being attacked by a bear in NJ. or NY.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

You have a better chance of winning power ball then being attacked by a bear in NJ. or NY.

Prove it.

[healey36]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yXocgwnR3U

I feel better...

Healey

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I only carry a bible.
Palm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

And you can shove the book into the bear's mouth causing it to choke to death, thereby proving the intrinsic value of the scriptures.

[Roy]

“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”--FDR

FDR wasn't talking about walking in a forrested kill zone.

[robert.]

Your more likely to be killed by a bear in the 5 boroughs of ny then the wild!!!! Go figure. Some idiots climbed into bear cages and got mauled.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_f ... th_America

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I prefer:

"I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Wonderful. Go stand on a rock and say that to the next bear charge. Wayne could go stand on another rock near you and read the Scripture aloud. See if any of it does a dambitogood. Let me know the results , when and if you are able . I'll pray for you both.