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Zucchini Scares Off Attacking Bear In Montana

By
Real Estate Agent with Montana Homestead Brokers, Broker, CRS, GRI, SFR, RN

black bear"Woman Fends off bear attack with a zucchini" is the headline from my online link to the Billings Gazette.  And if you think that's a story, you should read some of the discussion comments, they're hysterical!

We've had a few more bear incidents this year, and as I've said before, bears usually get a bad wrap, but this particular bear met up with a Frenchtown Montana woman; a woman who had the great fortune to have a 12 inch zucchini within close reach.

Now I think a 12 inch zucchini is just about the right size for slicing for stir fry, so I'm surprised that this flying weapon (which connected with the bears head) was enough to scare off this 200 pound bear. 

I would of thought it would at least take one of those 18 inch ones, but then, maybe it would of been awkward to throw one so large.

This bear attacked this woman's 12 year old collie out in the yard, and when the woman of the house went out to see what was wrong, the bear charged her right on her front porch.

zucchiniSince it was late, after midnight, the woman was not wearing her holster with her 357 Smith and Wesson on her side, so she had to resort to the handy vegetable.

The bear did swat at her leg, but, according to one comment by "angst" in the Billings Gazette "I'm guessing she didn't need medical attention because by the time the police got there, she'd already stitched herself up with dental floss and fencing wire..."

I can remember stories of my Grandmother and her apple orchard just south of Lakeside Montana, apparently she didn't appreciate bears stealing her apples either.  I think she used her gun, never a vegetable!  Granny Get'cher Gun!

Posted by

The Quilting Realtor

Wanda Thomas

Many Dream Of Living In Montana

I'm One of the Lucky One's That Already Do!

Wanda Thomas

2wandathomas@gmail.com

Call or Text 406-698-8640 for help with all things Montana.

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Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

I used to grow zucchini when I lived in Los Angeles and if you left them alone, they would grow, and grow and grow.  I assumed you meant one of those - but a 12" one- wow, that's a story.  I hope her dog was okay.

Sep 23, 2010 07:36 AM
Mike Carlier
Lakeville, MN
More opinions than you want to hear about.

In Minnesota, you need special training and a license to carry zucchini.  During the season, that stuff is more prolific than crab grass.  It scares neighbors who turn off their lights and lock their doors in fear that you are trying to give them yet another dozen z's.

Sep 23, 2010 07:44 AM
Wanda Thomas
Montana Homestead Brokers, Broker, CRS, GRI, SFR, RN - Billings, MT
Billings Montana Real Estate

Margaret, I just happened to have a few of those zucchini's around and I attempted to throw one of the bigger ones, it's not easy!  I think the 12 inch one was an excellent selection, and it apparantly did the job.

Mike, how many people have smiled and said thank you when they were secretly thinking "I'll get you back next year!"

Sep 23, 2010 07:48 AM
Wanda Thomas
Montana Homestead Brokers, Broker, CRS, GRI, SFR, RN - Billings, MT
Billings Montana Real Estate

oh Mike, about that special training and license, does that need to be renewed annually?  Are there special classes for men, because I'm just guessing that this comes more naturally to women?

Sep 23, 2010 07:53 AM
Joe Homway
Exit Realty Premier - Springdale, AR

Thank goodness she has good aim, and the bear does not have a taste for zucchini she'd never get rid of it. I agree how'd the dog come out of it?

Sep 23, 2010 08:05 AM
Mike Carlier
Lakeville, MN
More opinions than you want to hear about.

I'll check and let you know.  The folks in St. Paul, when they got tired of trying to find another tax to levy, decided that it would be better to control the stuff than to make it illegal.  Just remember, if zucchini is outlawed, only outlaws will have zucchini. 

Sep 23, 2010 09:25 AM