Bear Scare

We were just finishing up supper and getting ready to clear the table when there was a knock on the front door. We knew it wasn't a friend, as all our friends know that we use the side door. So, curious, we went to answer it.

Two men stood on the front porch, huffing and puffing as if they had just been chased by our mama bear. But she was nowhere to be seen. There was also no car in sight. From their sunburnt skin and American accents, they were obviously not locals. Why would a pair of retired white guys be knocking on our door 80km from the nearest town without a car at dinnertime?

"Is this where the police still live?" they puffed.

"No, Treaty 3 Police have their office about 2km away. Can we help?" I answered.

As it turned out they were fishermen who have a cabin up the lake. They were huffing and puffing because they had climbed the hill from the lake (that explains why we didn't hear a car pull up). They had a problem with a bear at their cabin and needed help.

They had come back to camp after fishing for the day to find a bear in the cabin. The bear was not the least bit concerned that the cabin occupants were not looking for company, and was reluctant to move along. The next day the bear was back again. Again it was unconcerned about the humans who seemed to think it was unwelcome. After two visits in two days, the fishermen were looking for a solution.

After several phone calls to various police (jurisdiction issues???) the men had a solution; the Treaty 3 officer that was coming up today to join the group for fishing would bring his gun. If the bear dropped in uninvited again, well, it would be dinner.

Refusing offers of a beverage, off they went down the hill to launch back to camp. Today LK and I are both wondering what happened to the bear.