Please don't feed the animals!

"Please Don't Feed the Animals"

Now there is a sign that we've all seen many times and although it is usually seen at the Zoo it's quite applicable in the wild also and just as important if not more.  Last weekend we stumbled onto a small bear with a broken left front paw.  We had seen this same bear a  month earlier a couple miles from this location so in spite of the injury he seems to get around okay.  Sadly he isn't able to put any weight on that paw. We just felt good to see he is doing okay.

This particular evening we were heading home and decided to take a back road to see if we could locate a couple of bulls that we had been looking for.  As we drove by a small settlement of camps my wife spotted a small bear fairly close to the road but very close to a camp.  We stopped the Jeep and began taking pictures from a safe distance.  As we did this we observed why this bear was so close to the dwelling and actually at a couple times on his hind legs looking in the window. An inhabitant of the dwelling was continually throwing scraps of food out the door but yet was trying to chase it away as it got within inches of the screen door.  I just don't think it occurred to her that the bear isn't going to leave if you are feeding it.  The sad part is that this bear due to the stupidity of humans could try to tear his way into this camp or summer home and be declared a dangerous nuisance and could be trapped and transferred or even destroyed.  Now this is a pity!  So Whoda' Thunk feeding a wild animal could have such a tragic conclusion!

We realize it's very tempting to try to bait a bear or any other animal because it's so cool to watch them up close.  We definitely took advantage of the opportunity but as we observed this young bear it became so apparent to us that this could have a bad outcome.  Consider the fact that the only thing separating the bear from the food he knows is in there, is a thin screen.  Also consider the people stepping outside at night and cornering this bruin.  Hopefully the bear will run but it's still a scary thought and in the end the bear is made out to be the bad guy or bad bear in this case. Look at the pictures and reach your own conclusions.  Please forgive my temptation to add captions!

Broken left front paw.  He didn't stop at the stop sign.  He only Paw'sd and bearly looked both ways.

I'm a big mean bear!

Sometimes I just feel like dancing.

Excuse me but my car broke down and I was wondering if I could use your phone.

I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down!

 If you could spare a couple burgers I would not be opposed to grilling them myself!

 Maybe if I climb this tree I can see into the kitchen!

Perhaps we can work out a deal.  I'll finish stacking this firewood and you bake me a pie!  You know me, I'm not picky, any kind of fresh Beary Pie would be wonderful.