[toeser]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

The more natural resources removed for development, the fewer places local animals have to call "home." They have to go somewhere. If you take their back yard for your lanai and birdcage, don't expect them to have gone far.

Also - if it's a Florida Black Bear, reconsider walking your dog armed to protect against it. First of all - it lives on an 80% vegetarian diet. It's not all that interested in meat. Second, and more importantly, it is protected by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It is illegal to kill them.

If you come across a bear, either be completely still, or make a LOT of loud clanging obnoxious noise to scare it away. Take that big AR-15 of yours and bang it against the sidewalk, instead of shooting it. It'll get the bear to leave you alone, and it'll keep you out of jail.

Florida black bears may have an 80% vegetarian diet, but one viciously attacked a teenage girl near where I lived before moving to The Villages.