Quote:
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.
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Part of your post is correct, including their dietary preferences, however, you have the right of survival if attacked and killing them in self defense is not a chargeable offense. They are not known to be aggressive, however I wouldn't take that as a reason not to be armed. There are limited hunting permits each year for them in the Central BMU. They vary in size from around 300 lbs to max at 700 lbs. Personally, I wouldn't shoot one unless they charged. I would however notify authorities to let them know where the encounter took place and describe the encounter and let them decide the action to be taken.