Bears

[thyer]

Fishing at Ramapo lake one morning. I hike up to lake and proceed on the walking path across the dam. Distance between the path and the water isn't more than 20 feet. I stop by one spot along the shore and start setting up my float tube. I got startled by someone, something walking across the path back into the woods. It was a bear that must have been having a morning drink while I walked right by him and I never saw him.

[NickN]

Saw 3 on the Big Flatbook last night. They are all over the place up there.

[Dave B.]

Originally Posted by NickN

Saw 3 on the Big Flatbook last night. They are all over the place up there.

There'll be 1 less up there come early Dec if I can help it, they're tasty!

As for close encounters, after decades of spending an average of 30 weekends a year camping in the area there are just way too many to go into. Suffice it to say that within 10 to 20 feet on dozens of occasions likely counts as close, that's without mentioning the couple hundred other, more 'distant' encounters.

[bling306]

One time, at Monksville, I was with a group of people, hanging out on the island when my buddy suddenly told us to be quiet. Next thing I know, I'm hearing a faint grunting sound that was getting somewhat louder. We walked to the edge of the island to see a 400lb or so bear swimming from one side of the reservoir to the other. He took one look at us and kept on swimming.