East Texas black bear sightings bring back memories of close encounter in New Mexico high country

GOING WALKABOUT
  • The author’s dog nearly got into serious trouble in July 2004 when he followed his nose to a mature black bear in the New Mexico high country. The dog’s escape route led the angry bear straight back to its owner. Slug-Go is pictured here at 13, shortly before he died of of cancer in 2010. Photo by Matt Williams
    The author’s dog nearly got into serious trouble in July 2004 when he followed his nose to a mature black bear in the New Mexico high country. The dog’s escape route led the angry bear straight back to its owner. Slug-Go is pictured here at 13, shortly before he died of of cancer in 2010. Photo by Matt Williams
  • This juvenile black bear has been sighted more than a dozen times in four East Texas counties since July 15. One of the last sightings was August 25, when it showed up on a trail camera in Houston County. TPWD, Landowner Submitted Photo
    This juvenile black bear has been sighted more than a dozen times in four East Texas counties since July 15. One of the last sightings was August 25, when it showed up on a trail camera in Houston County. TPWD, Landowner Submitted Photo
    All of this recent chatter about black bear sightings in several East Texas counties took me down memory lane to one of the most spooky moments I have ever experienced in the wild.Some valuable lessons were learned that morning. At the top of the list: Never cut an unleashed dog loose in bear country. Ever. Oftentimes, the dog will bring the bear straight back to you.I’ve told t...

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