We've had multiple sightings of two very large ones on our road (NEPA). They've made quite a mess of our garbage on several occasions. My son took this picture on our property.

Wow, it is out there in broad daylight. We have had sitings near me, but I haven't seen any firsthand. Not far away from me, 5 miles or less, there was a bear caught in a barrel trap a couple summers ago. Also my neighbor saw one about 250 yards away last year. I would love to see one sorta close-up, but in a safe situation like out my house window, or car window, and I could drive away if it comes too close.

A few years ago a bear killed one of my dogs. It was horrible. I had thought bears were vegetarians, but a Game Commission agent set me straight on that. I asked him about setting a barrel trap, but he said I was attracting bears by feeding the birds. After that, I stopped feeding in early spring and begin again in mid-November.

Alisande, I am sorry about your dog. I love dogs, we have 5 dogs now. We have a fence for our dogs, I am not sure if any bears could get in the fence. The bears may have attacked a single dog, but 5 at one time may be too much for 1 bear. I would imagine if the bear was determined it could move the bars and get in, it is aluminum bars. I have read that they are afraid of people, but had seen a video clip showing a black bear pursuing a man. It was unrelenting, following the guy as he filmed and hollered at the bear. It was scary just to watch the bear keep coming. I am sorry for your loss of your dog. If you can afford it, get a tall fence, if you get another dog. Even if it takes a while to get all the panels you need. I would invest in a small caliber gun to wound or discourage a bear if I had seen any near my house. I hope all is well for you and your family/dogs in the future.

Well Alisande, we now have only 2 dogs, not due to bears but disease, but, I hope that you now haven't had any bears coming near those near and dear to you, be they man or beast.