[NotGolfer]

Living in fear will keep you captive. That said, I'd worry more about being hit by lightening as FL is the "lightening capital". Weather here is different than "up north" in that we get effects from the sea breezes. IF the sky looks black don't count on that it will rain. We've had rain in the front of our house and sun at the same time in the back. We've lived here 13 yrs. Haven't seen any bears except on tv. Saw a coyote once but not fox or panthers! Yes, keep your Poochie leashed as that's the law but it is in other states as well. Oh...the other thing I'd worry about is the traffic. Oh.my----people drive crazy here!!!

[airstreamingypsy]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

If you are truly concerned about stopping a charging bear you might consider preferably carrying a 44 Magnum, at least a .357 Magnum, revolver (to avoid the limp wrist syndrome). You typically will have four seconds to react and accurately fire a stopping shot. I knew a guy way back when who used a 44 Magnum revolver to stop a charging large black bear in his camp. Thing came 25 feet toward him after he hit it in the heart. Back when I used to hunt in NM I carried a .357 S&W Magnum revolver on my hip just in case. Thankfully I never had to use it for any reason.

8 Best Charge-Stopping Bear Cartridges | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Good idea, a .44 Magnum bullet should stop after it's gone through 3-4 houses.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

Good idea, a .44 Magnum bullet should stop after it's gone through 3-4 houses.

True words. For all the Dirty Harry wannabes.

Once you pull a trigger, you're responsible for EVERYTHING that bullet hits. More than that, if you are not on your property when you pull the trigger and you don't have a valid permit to carry, your legal worries are compounded. It is a felony in Florida to carry a gun without a valid permit-to-carry.

But even if you're carrying legally, Florida is a CONCEALED carry state. Unless you're Shaq O'Neill in an overcoat, concealing a .44 Magnum is problematic at best. You WILL attract attention, and not good attention.

[Joe C.]

Carry concealed all you want.
Down here, there's not much that will hurt you. Yeah, there are snakes and coyotes, but bears are not something to worry about. I like to carry, and I'm not paranoid .... but prepared. The Villages is nothing but one, big soft target.

[Regorp]

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.

Bears are rare, but be more concerned about gators, so keep your little one away from water.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

So do I understand this properly? If bear, alligator, coyote, fox or any other dangerous animal attacks my dog, I'm not allowed to shoot it?

That seems a bit absurd. Is there not such thing a a justifiable killing of one of these animals? If a large alligator is in the process of killing a human being, I can't shoot it?

[Lindaws]

Haven’t seen any wild creatures except geckos. Live N of 466A

[sallyg]

Really? Suggest you call the DNR or some other state/local agency for information if you don't want "funny little answers that aren't funny," instead of this site.

[ML Smith]

Good morning new soon to be neighbor. You can ease your worry and concern. I live south if 44 in relatively new areas. Have a dog that I walk couple of times during the day and once in the evening. So far I the only wildlife I have seen were some wild boar and even that was north of 44. See gators sunning them selves by water frequently. Can hear the occasional coyote at night but have never seen one on the neighborhood. Messy trash sometimes from crows, raccoons and opossums not not frequently.

There are a couple recommendation I would make for you.

1. Get a reflective vest to wear out walking at night.

2. Stay away from gators 🐊 especially during mating season.

3. Try very hard not to shoot anyone.

Enjoy your move and welcome to the neighborhood.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

Heck, I am more worried about getting hit with a golf BALL than attacked by a bear.

Then don't play with me! FORE!

[defrey12]

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.

Dude, I don’t know what they’ve been feeding you up north, but leave your gun at home…in a safe…where it belongs. Are there bears? Yes. Best course? Walk away. Be more worried about getting too close to the ponds with fluffy. Gators LOVE dog meat.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Laker14

Did you forget to bring your sarcasm meter?

Hey, that's MY line!

[JMintzer]

Personally, I'm more afraid of the COUGARS at City Fire!

[Battlebasset]

Always walk with a slow friend. Then you can say "I don't have to outrun the bear. I only have to outrun you".

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by 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...

That is certainly the truth; not that black bears are not a frequent Florida sight, but absolutely your chances of getting hit by golf carts and bikes is a much more significant possibility... as is being hit in your golf cart by a car that DELIBERATELY chooses to use BOTH the auto lane AND the golf cart lane. That is a daily occurrence I've observed on Belvidere. Some landscape people also believe it is perfectly acceptable to use both the auto lane AND the golf cart lane ... happens way too often ! Takes a heavy dose of arrogance to disregard lives of others ! ?