Missouri Redneck Meets Bear on Trail, Decides to Chase Him

You can't see it right now, but I'm face-palming big time. It's the appropriate response after coming across video of a Missouri redneck meeting a bear on a trail and having a conversation with him.

I want to be clear that I do not mean redneck in a bad way. I have my own redneck tendencies and mean no disrespect using that word. However, there is a safe way to deal with bears you come across in the wild and then there are not safe ways. This is that 2nd one.

This guy's name is Enoch TwoEagles (no, I'm not joking). He met what he describes as a "large black bear" while hiking in the Missouri Ozarks. Watch what happens and you decide if you think this guy really should be at the top of the food chain.

Enoch TwoEagles - "What's up there, buddy?"

Bear - "(growl)"

Enoch TwoEagles - (louder) "What's up there, buddy?"

Bear - "(deeper growl)"

Enoch TwoEagles - "Hey, where you going?"

Bear - (I'm speculating here) "I'm a bear and could eat you if I wanted, but I don't like the taste of stupid".

Yes, I made up that last bear line, but this guy really was putting himself in great danger. If you check out the National Park Service bear safety guidelines, you won't find "chase them and talk to them" anywhere. Letting the bear know you're there in a calm voice and not surprising them is a great idea. Chasing them is most certainly not.

I have no doubt that Enoch is a really nice guy and probably someone I would really enjoy bowling with. But, chasing bears is not a healthy way to live.

Fortunately, Enoch was not harmed and the bear escaped safely into the woods. It could have ended much worse.