Forum Discussion

DAVES04RV's avatar
DAVES04RV
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013

Bears in Topsail Hill State Park Florida

Just got back today from a 16 day vacation at Topsail Hill State Park Florida and had several reported ranger or camper reported bear sightings in and around the campground area or on the shuttle road to the beach during our stay. We had a large black bear stroll the campground late yesterday beginning from site 123 to behind our site 160 and behind other sites thru 168. You don't have to go to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to enjoy the wildlife now!
  • We were in Topsail the 2nd week of Sept and a bear just casually walked through the campground. We were walking our dog when we saw it. My wife was really freaked out.
  • They pass through here infrequently but five or six, seen each year. If one or two settle in the cove, I won't tell anyone but neighbors.
    Neighbor has cows and would be concerned with calves. So long as they don't come on the porches and bother Garfield, I'll leave them alone.
    Several years ago there was an article about a town in Pa that ha bears sleeping under porches and houses as an ordinary thing. those Folks must have been educated in the ways of bears. Like Humans they can go either way sometimes but so long as they respect/fear you you're safe.
    When they start popping those jaws better get away quick or raise that rifle.
    If they know of bad consequencies if they bother you then you're generally safe. My limits are probably more lenient than others should be. I'm not going out into the yard or woods with a bear without a weapon though.
  • Enjoying wildlife is great....however, some people need to know that if you see a bear in the wild, you are too close. For how surprisingly clumsy a bear may look they move a lot faster than most people realize.

    Did the CG set up a bear cage to safely remove the bear to a better environment for it.?

About Campground 101

Recommendations, reviews, and the inside scoop from fellow travelers.14,716 PostsLatest Activity: Oct 15, 2013