Hey look, man- I made a decision a long time ago not to get all fired up about what people write on forums like this. If you wanna start a fire, you'll be the only one gettin burnt.

Back to the topic. Sounds like I might have been a little over precaucious. I appreciate the input you guys gave to help me understand that a lot of what I've been hearing about were probably just tall tales.

Once I get a few years of hunting under my belt, hopefully I'll have the same casual attitude.

It doesn't hurt to be cautious. Even if a state has had only 10 bear attacks in 50 years. Try to tell those 10 people than bears don't attack.

NOBODY says they are casual about it, just not freaked out about it to the point of feeling the need to carry extra weight around, when you have more than enough firepower in yer hands to kill anything in the woods!
I am always aware of my surroundings, even here in town as there is more than one type of predator out there.
Yes bears and cats could attack but the circumstances have to be right, most likely a bear attack would be from a sow with cubs and the cat attack maybe from a sickly old cat or disoriented youngster that can't catch a deer!

A cat will also attack if you get near it's kill. A sow with cubs is very common.

I'm just saying to always be careful no matter what the numbers tell you. I'b be foolish to go into bear country with no protection. Hell, I stick bear spray in my pocket when I take my dog out at night, because bears have been spotted in town lately.

We used to see blackies come into the sub-divisions that were close to wooded areas in Colorado Springs when we lived there. They loved to go through people's trash cans.

I pretty well agree with the others, however I have been bluff charged which is not a pleasant experience.. Chances of an attack are slim but it has happened. Carry a can of bear spray, it's cheap peace of mind. Me? I would have a Mt. Lion and Bear tag and I'd be sitting in that tree. :-)

Not just in town, but across the street where I take my dog. It's pitch black when I take him out there. Common problem in the spring.

9 out of 10 blacks aren't looking for trouble. They don't come in that order, but they will avoid you for the most part. I hunt in grizz and black terrain, and there are cats everywhere. A 375 H&H is my companion, because you never know. I have seen lots of them, but never had a problem with any of them. If a bluff charge ever happens, I guarantee that I will have a new rug. Anything that outweighs me by 500 pounds isn't going to get the chance to get close enough to maul and chew my old bones. Just relax and keep your eyes open.

Countering dangerous game while hunting
 

This pretty much sums up my experience also.

I've hunted Colorado, Montana, Alaska, and Canada for almost 50 years. Every black bear and the 3 cougars that I've encountered have all been quick to run away when they realized that I saw them.

Years ago, the Forest Service Ranger in Big Timber, Montana asked me to dispose of a dead horse in the Absaroka Wilderness south of Big Timber. A grizzly had been feeding on the horse and charged several horseback riders on the nearby trail. When my helpers and I hiked to the dead horse, the griz was on it and when it saw us it ran away and was never seen again.

If you're really worried about encountering a bear or mountain lion, carry a can of pepper spray that is easily accessible and know how to use it.

Another time a Grizzly came into our hunting camp where my partners and I had the quarters of two elk and a moose hanging. He wouldn't leave until I bounced a rock off him.

Best Prevention
 

I've found the best prevention is paying for a tag, then they will do all they can to stay way the heck away from me. Call it insurance. :barmy: