FootNotes * * Newsletter of the Highlanders Chapter, Florida Trail Association May – June 2021 Volume 22, Issue 3 Mission of the Florida Trail Association The Florida Trail Association develops, maintains, protects and promotes a network of hiking trails throughout the state, including the unique Florida National Scenic Trail. Together with our partners we provide opportunities for the public to hike, engage in outdoor recreation, participate in environmental education and contribute to meaningful volunteer work. Highlanders Nature Notes – More Experiences With Florida Black Bears ground for a weekend church retreat. I decided to go exploring early on Saturday before everyone else woke up. It was about 6:15 AM when I left my cabin and began to walk a sandy forest service road border- ing our camp property line. The camp is surrounded by the Ocala National Forest on three sides. I was on the north side and made my way toward the west as quietly as I could walk on the soft, white, sugar sand. I was looking for Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) to see if they were still living where I’d seen them the previous year. I had told my wife, Nancy, and a few others the night before that I was going to look for Black Bears. I was being facetious, Florida Black Bear – Credit: https://www.nature.org as I knew my chances of seeing one were slim. I’ve only rarely seen them, or even their tracks and sign, in I’d like to revisit the topic of the Florida Black Bear the 28 years that I’ve lived in Lake County. But most (Ursus americanus floridanus). I wrote about this of the ones I’ve encountered have been at or near some time ago (Highlanders Newsletter March-April Deerhaven, so there was a chance I might get lucky. 2017 – Florida Black Bears). But I’ve had two very interesting experiences with Black Bears since then. As I came around a bend in the road about 125 yards One I talked about at a recent chapter meeting just be- from my starting point I saw what I thought might fore we heard a presentation from a state wildlife biol- have been a Florida Panther track (Puma concolor ogist who specializes in bears. The second most recent conyi). As I checked it more closely I heard a loud experience will be new to all who read this column. rustling in the bushes and trees ahead of me (about 25 feet away). At first I thought it was just a Nine-banded Back in May of 2019 I was at Deerhaven Camp- Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). They can make 1 quite a racket as they move through the vegetation. tory, probably sending me the message that I was an But then I heard loud, distinctive, individual, heavy unwelcome intruder in its daily routine. footsteps, and I knew then it couldn’t be an Armadillo. I thought I must have spooked a bear and that it was As I watched with my binoculars for a total of about moving away from me. Disappointment began to set 30 minutes, the bear eventually got too far away. It in until I realized it was coming closer to the road I was getting close to breakfast time, so I returned to was standing on. I bent down to try to catch a glimpse the campground with a great story to tell. I suspect of it but the bushes blocked my view. I was both that most of my fellow campers thought I was embel- thrilled and a little nervous as I waited for the bear to lishing the truth a bit. I would have felt the same, appear in front of me. hearing this story from some other person. It was my longest, close encounter with a wild Florida Black When it came out on all fours it turned immediately Bear (so far). away from me and proceeded to walk slowly up the road, never even glancing my way. I thought that it The Black Bear never looked in my direction the en- must be unaware of my presence (I had been walking tire time we were together on that road. Of course, I silently and I was dressed in earth-colored clothes, was very careful not to send it the message that I was greens and browns). But the bear specialist who heard after it, or threatening it in any way. I attempted to re- this story said there was no way it could have missed main calm and casual while it went about its business. my scent. He told me that Black Bears have a sense of Just as if we were two passersby on a street in town. smell seven times greater than a hound dog. It knew I We essentially were, except that we were in its town, was there. It was merely ignoring me, hoping I would not mine. go away. This was not my first close encounter with a wild It was a medium size adult bear maybe waist high Black Bear, only the longest. All my previous experi- on me (though I foolishly neglected to take a visual ences ended quickly as the bears all moved away into measurement based on the bushes it passed; I was just the woods once they detected my presence, some with too excited). It continued to walk away as I watched it a speedy gallop. This bear seemed to know I was not a without making a move myself (I didn’t want it to threat and, therefore, appeared nonchalant about the think I was following it: not a good idea with a large whole encounter. For my part, I was ecstatic! I doubt I wild animal). will ever have this opportunity again in my lifetime, even if I live for many more years. Black Bears are Eventually, it put about 100 yards between us and smart and tend to avoid people. This was a very rare turned into the forest. I thought that was it, and I had privilege in the wild, and I feel greatly blessed. seen all I was to see. But then, through my binoculars, I could see a bush waving back and forth at the road- Some may find that last statement to be peculiar. side. Then two front paws came up into view and be- Most people I encounter express their fear of Black gan to wave in time with the bush. The bear was Bears. Most would have been tempted to run quickly scratching its back on the bush just as I’d seen before away in the same circumstances (not advisable). Or in nature specials on TV (but never before in person!). they wouldn’t have placed themselves in those same circumstances to begin with. I understand their posi- The bear came back down on all fours and pro- tion, but believe it to be based more on ignorance than ceeded to continue up the road. When it was another facts. Most of what I’ve read or heard about Florida 100 yards distant I summoned up the courage to fol- Black Bears reinforces my own experiences to date. low its tracks in the sand to that bush and found a tiny They simply aren’t interested in people, nor will they bit of its hair left on a broken twig. I continued to harm a person without provocation. The main source watch as it scratched its back on another bush further of bear problems involves our human foods. That is on. I followed to that bush also, but found nothing. what draws them to people in most instances, and The bear specialist stated that it was marking its terri- causes the regrettable conflicts. 2 My second, more recent Black Bear encounter touches on this last point. It occurred in Cades Cove Campground inside the Great Smoky Mountains Na- tional Park. I’ll save that story for my next essay. Un- til then, enjoy our wild Florida! There’s little out there to be afraid of. –Mike Barnett Sources: Sibley, David Allen. The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. Tekiela, Stan. Mammals of Florida Field Guide. Cam- bridge, MN: Adventure Publications, Inc., 2010. Florida Black Bear - Credit: 10 Tampa Bay 3 Notes from the Chairperson Hello Hikers and Activity Supporters, Once again thank you all for the hard work in this COVID laced season! Our work season is slowing down as the temperatures rise. So, be mindful of your hydration and other hazards the summer months may bring. For all you people who are traveling this sum- mer - stay safe and look for trails wherever you end up. Get into some nature for a hike...and bring a friend or two! The Highlanders and the FTA recognized Bill and Ginger Leach for their years of awesome service (see attachment). Also, the Highlanders Board and the FTA in Gainesville have voted and accepted the new Chapter Operating Procedures (COP). The COP project's stated goal is to harmonize all the FTA chapters, 18 of them, within the umbrella FTA bylaws. There were a few new and minor tweaks in the Highlanders bylaws. The revised document is on file with our Chapter's Secretary (see attachment). Many of you know Jim Kerns. His affiliated organi- zation, Hiking Trails in America, has released a re- vised edition of his book Broken Promise. If you are Mike Tamburrino - Photo by The Villages Daily interested, you can visit hikingtrailsinamerica.org. Sun Note: Jim Kerns and Hiking Trails in America are not part of FTA.