I was walking my dog this morning on Forest Service land in Montana’s Rocky Mountains. Dog and I met a grizzly bear. Everything turned out OK.
Dog and I are walking down a dirt road when I see the bear. It was about175 feet away in the middle of the road. It was looking at us. A grizzly. It had a hump in its upper back Dog had not detected it yet and did not put up a harangue.
I don’t have pictures. I was too busy preparing to do battle. I drew the dog close. And pulled the bear spray canister out of my coat. My eye was still on the bear.
So I turn around and started WALKING (not running) away from the bear with dog in hand
(we look like a bigger opponent when together.)
My torso was turned when walking away so I could watch the bear. Bear took a few steps towards us. Then bear stopped and went up on its hind legs to get a better look.
Dog and I kept walking away. After about 10 seconds, the bear went down in all 4s and bolted in the other direction…away from us.
I watched my back all the way back to the truck! 🤠
