My bear encounter

I've seen plenty of bears out on my ranch over thee last few years, but the encounter I had yesterday evening was by far the most exciting. It also taught me a lot about just how inquisitive bears can really be. for some background, I'm a real estate broker in La Veta Colorado. I sell ranches, homes and land in the Cuchara valley. I am also building my own log home in the mountains outside of town. I have a 5th. wheel trailer pulled up on the building site to stay in during construction.

This is my trailer during the excavation last year.

Back to the bear: I finished work yesterday and went back to my trailer and made some dinner. After eating I settled in to watch a little satellite TV. I was laid back in my recliner almost ready to doze off around 7:30pm... There was still plenty of daylight and I had both the front door and the screened door open and the TV was on pretty loud.

All of a sudden I saw a large muzzle sticking through the front door! I was sitting in the recliners laid back position looking at this huge muzzle and swallowing my Adams apple when he suddenly leaned in and I was looking face to face with a 250lb. bear! Now I see larger bears all the time, but when your in a laid back position 8 feet away from a 250lb. bear it looks huge!!!

After a second I recovered from the shock and yelled"Get OuttaHere". The bear immediately jumped off the front porch and was standing about twenty feet from the front door. I stood up and looked him straight in the eyes. He was a cinamon colored bruiser that didn't seem to be interested in making any more trouble so I yelled at him again"Get Out Of Here". He then turned and walked off behind the trailer.

Needless to say that bear scarred the "you know what" out of me.

I stood there laughing for a full five minutes! If he had been a little more aggressive I wouldn't have pushed it. I have never experienced an aggressive bear, but I have spoken with locals who have. It must be rare to see an aggressive bear here in southern Colorado. From what I have heard they don't normally challenge you unless they either have cubs or if you come upon them while their eating (they will fight for their food).   

I didn't think that a bear would come on into my trailer with me there and the TV on loud. I can't tell you how many times I have passed out on that recliner with the door open. Needless to say that won't be happening again. I'll at least close the screened door so he can let me know when he wants to visit. 

I would like to hear about your bear encounters too.

For more on my log home building project see the blog on my website @ http://www.LaVetaForSale.com.