Sometimes it’s a 4 Legged Varmint…

Carry your gun, it isn’t just two-legged varmints that go bump in the night.

The unidentified 30-year-old man was sleeping at 5 a.m. when the black bear attacked him at Ponderosa Campground in the Tonto National Forest just off Arizona 260 about 12 miles northeast of Payson.

The man’s fiance escaped from the tent with her child.  During her escape the bear left and wondered into another campsite.  This time Yogi chose poorly.

The bear went to a nearby campsite, where a camper shot the animal several times with a 9mm handgun, and the bear disappeared.

Certainly not ideal for a bear but I would take that over a sharp stick without a doubt.  Evidently within the area this is the third attack within a month.

This should serve as a strong reminder that we enjoy our place at the top of the food chain not because of strength or agility, but because of our tools.  Firearms are a tool that levels the playing field quite well, especially with regards to an animal that can quite easily kill you without trying.

Also, remember while in bear country use bear boxes or bear bags and remove all foods and things could attract bears.  Also a suggestion, when in bear country where bears might be more prevalent due to wild-fire, don’t use the garbage cans in an actual campsite.  Yogi is more than happy to knock them over to get at the soda bottle tossed inside.  Even if it’s relatively close to your tents.  I speak from experience on that later incident… Thankfully it was just a yearling and a solid “Ya bear Ya. We don’t want you here” scared him off and we didn’t see him again.

Be careful out there and the life you save could just very well be your own, so carry your damn guns!

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About TMM

TMM is the owner, editor, and principal author at The Minuteman, a competitive shooter, and staff member for Boomershoot. Even in his free time he’s merging his love and knowledge of computers and technology with his love of firearms. Many know his private name and information however due to the current political climate, many are distancing themselves due to the abandonment of Due Process.