[JMintzer]

I'd be more concerned about being hit by someone in a golf cart or on a bike than of a bear...

Don't worry about it. You and your dog will be just fine...

[Bogie Shooter]

Paranoia, is not healthy.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Paranoia, is not healthy.

Paranoia, they destroy ya'...

-Ray Davies

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Caymus

Like this bear living in a hollow tree?

Bear finds home in tree of Connecticut backyard

we had so many bears in Ct., we had to learn to live with them

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by PugMom

we had so many bears in Ct., we had to learn to live with them

Even the occasional mountain lion.

[VApeople]

Be sure to look overhead while walking your dog because wild monkeys are becoming a problem. They were brought into Silver Springs when they used to film Tarzan movies there in the 1950's, and they have spread. When we were walking on a trail near there, we could hear them in the trees, and we have heard they are very aggressive.

I have even heard them while playing golf at Gray Fox golf course in The Villages.

[VApeople]

In the Daily Sun today there was an article about the problems they are having with a bear in Davenport, a town very close to Disney.

My wife's brother lives in Apopka and they had two bears in their yard.

A few months ago, we saw a really big bear down at Sawgrass in St. Catherine.

[LuvNH]

Well the OP should be really scared off by now!

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by LuvNH

Well the OP should be really scared off by now!

From what?

[Robbb]

Originally Posted by arbud

Have been a member of this forum for 2 years and am moving here with my wife and little dog in June 2023.
This has been discussed many times before I know. I might not make any friends here, just looking for informed answers. Not funny little comments that aren't funny.
Have spent plenty of time down here in village of Santo Domingo. Walked my dog in morning light on a leash. I actually clean up after her and take it home with me. I do take her out on a leash at night to do her business.
Now from what I have read over the last couple of years, because of human encroachment on wild lives environment, there is a chance of an encounter with bears especially.
I have read that you can not kill a gator or bear. Do not know about coyotes, foxes, or bobcats.
I am however getting prepared to protect what is near and dear to me.
A super powerful flashlight for going out at night so I get no surprises. With some aid just inside in case there is a bear that I have bothered and he wants to eat me or my dog.
In walking around the neighborhood with my wife and dog will have licensed concealed aid in case of an encounter with anything that wants to eat any of us.
Now I know I have left myself wide open to antigunners and make shift lawyers but guess what I am completely competent on the use of the things I am talking about and will protect all of us.
Would anyone like to talk me out of my paranoia.

June is prime bear season south of 44, I typically get a few almost every night when I go for an evening walk. Come to think of it, I haven't purchased meat since I moved down here.

[Taltarzac725]

I have only heard of coyotes taking Villagers' dogs. One of them was a favorite of mine--Jon Snow the dog.

There was a bear in a nearby Village but he or she was only interested in the trash that was out.

Most of the dog deaths I know of here in the Villages were caused by cars or golf carts hitting them.

Other dogs also might cause damage and sometimes the death of the dog.

Wasp spray has often been recommended for fending off wild life. But this gives me pause-- Ask a Wildlife Biologist:, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by arbud

Have been a member of this forum for 2 years and am moving here with my wife and little dog in June 2023.
This has been discussed many times before I know. I might not make any friends here, just looking for informed answers. Not funny little comments that aren't funny.
Have spent plenty of time down here in village of Santo Domingo. Walked my dog in morning light on a leash. I actually clean up after her and take it home with me. I do take her out on a leash at night to do her business.
Now from what I have read over the last couple of years, because of human encroachment on wild lives environment, there is a chance of an encounter with bears especially.
I have read that you can not kill a gator or bear. Do not know about coyotes, foxes, or bobcats.
I am however getting prepared to protect what is near and dear to me.
A super powerful flashlight for going out at night so I get no surprises. With some aid just inside in case there is a bear that I have bothered and he wants to eat me or my dog.
In walking around the neighborhood with my wife and dog will have licensed concealed aid in case of an encounter with anything that wants to eat any of us.
Now I know I have left myself wide open to antigunners and make shift lawyers but guess what I am completely competent on the use of the things I am talking about and will protect all of us.
Would anyone like to talk me out of my paranoia.

Your carry handgun has it's limitations. The Grizzly Bears that have moved into this area would laugh at it. When I go out with my pup, I always bring my 30-06 and a Bowie Knife.

[Arbud]

New Englander you actually walk outside with a rifle.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by arbud

New Englander you actually walk outside with a rifle.

I see your point. Can’t tell which posts are real a which are BS,
.

[Rotaryhook2]

I've lived in Santo Domingo for 9 years. In that time, I've seen 1 fox near the Savanah Center and heard what I thought were coyotes, but I never saw any. Most of the posts were for coyotes further south and up north near Chatham. I don't expect you to run into any bears or gators. Carry if it makes you feel safer. Doubt if you will ever need it. Air horn will do the job. Wishing you a safe trip.