23 Comments
User's avatar
Jeff's avatar

You should not lose subscribers for that. You’re living a life that was the way of life before the modern shit show took over. In your situation you gotta do what you gotta do. Mad respect.

Those unsubscribers are in the grocery store right now not giving a single thought to where their fucking steak came from.

Expand full comment
Amy Jay's avatar

True that, thank you!

Expand full comment
The Atavist's avatar

Good story and good decision to pop that one off. It's the ones that lurk around showing no fear that are the most likely to be predatory on humans, and often as not it may be a smallish one, though i don't doubt you already know this stuff. We had a huge black bear killed $1200 worth of meat chickens ate some, left others, and came back two nights later. It was pitch black and snowing, i could hear him trying to pull the shelters apart, i fired some shots into the air, then chased in his tracks in the truck and honked the horn at the bushline. I expected he would come back again, but my ol' bear guide neighbor said he won't come back and when i asked how he was so sure he said "he didn't get that big by being stupid." He was right, never came back.

Expand full comment
Don's avatar

Right on, Amy..problem solved, You really didn't have much choice..he wudda kept returning, and got the chickens..or one of you guys. Not sure how much target practice you do, but we ALL cud use a little more..helps the confidence. I had a Ruger Mini 14 223 semi-auto..was my favourite!! Keep sharing your experiences..we all look forward to your posts.

Expand full comment
Amy Jay's avatar

Thank you! I’m looking forward to more practice, with both firearms and my bow.

Expand full comment
Don's avatar

Me too!! Do you shoot with compound or trad bow? I've shot traditional for decades (just target..) and bought a compound a few years ago..love the smoothness of the release, and the fact that at full draw it was much easier to hold..but (maybe being old-school) I just seemed to shoot better with the trad!!??

..and don't let those earlier idiots responses bug you..a%$#^&es everywhere..you seem to be pretty strong willed so I'm pretty sure you've put it behind you already.

Expand full comment
Amy Jay's avatar

Trad! Thank you, water off a ducks back

Expand full comment
Gary Galica's avatar

Thanks for the share. 🤙 The bears are pretty hungry in the spring, and the adolescents can be pretty dumb. A persistent bear like that can wreck the chickens, rabbits and goats in a hurry. Short of an electric fence, there aren’t so many options. More than a few of the bears i’ve shot hunting have had birdshot in the fat layer on their butts - naughty bears. Good luck 🙏

Expand full comment
Vito Tuxedo's avatar

Well done, Amy.

All defense is moral. People who unsubscribe because you defended yourself are NOT the kind of people you need in your life. They are very confused about priorities. You, Amy, are not the least bit confused. And you just picked up another subscriber! - Vito 😎💟🙏

Expand full comment
Amy Jay's avatar

Thank you so much Vito!

Expand full comment
Mark Lefebvre's avatar

You did the right thing.

Expand full comment
Night Shift Writing's avatar

Sometimes you need to do what you need to do. I would have done the same as you. Stay safe out there.

Expand full comment
Explore Further's avatar

I ALWAYS wanted to try to make Bear Borscht. I figure there’s probably no tougher sounding soup, and I suspect it’s delicious.

Don’t worry about people abandoning ship. Most people don’t understand what real wilderness is like or have had similar encounters.

I am afraid of bears.

My last experience was a bit of a doozy. I didn’t have a gun with me but sure wish I had.

Expand full comment
Amy Jay's avatar

Bear borscht sounds amazing! Maybe even a bit decadent.

Expand full comment
Lou Hudson's avatar

Indeed. One VERY big rabbit.

Expand full comment
Connecting The Dots's avatar

Just like the old timers used to do it.

Bravo Amy!!

The self sufficiency, as a matter of daily fact, is always impressive and appreciated!

Expand full comment
Amy Jay's avatar

Thank you muchly!!

Expand full comment
Smokeyrosem's avatar

We had the same problem with bears on the farm. It was really sketchy when darkness settled over the barnyard, as you never quite knew if there would be a fur ball out there.

Let me know if you need more ammo for target practice. Be safe, spring is around the corner.

Expand full comment
Amy Jay's avatar

It’s amazing how well they disappear at night! And very creepy. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Farmer Fred Hoffman's avatar

I’m curious about the equipment needed to clean and dress a bear, single handed.

Expand full comment
Amy Jay's avatar

Once I fought it out of the thick bush, the tractor with forks on was a big help. From there a sharp knife and a steel saw were my only tools.

Expand full comment
AP's avatar

I’m sure you’ll have many more bear encounters in your life on this property. Better get a better shot or don’t bother shooting at all

Expand full comment
Amy Jay's avatar

Got it right in the heart with the second rifle

Expand full comment