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Ian David

(69,059 posts)
Fri Apr 13, 2012, 11:16 AM Apr 2012

Vt. Governor Chased by 4 Bears in Backyard

Source: Associated Press (via ABC News)

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin says he was chased and nearly caught by four bears that were raiding his birdfeeders.

Shumlin says he was in bed in his rented Montpelier home late Wednesday night when he heard what turned out to be four bears in the backyard.

He says he looked out and saw the bears, including two cubs. He tried to chase the bears away, but they kept coming back.

<snip>

Shumlin tells the Valley News editorial board that Vermont "almost lost the governor." He says he was within "three feet of getting 'arrrh.'"

———

Information from: Lebanon Valley News, http://www.vnews.com

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/vt-governor-chased-bears-backyard-16131352#.T4hBY6tYsmQ






See also:

Texting Guy Walks Into Giant Bear
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002552390

36 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Vt. Governor Chased by 4 Bears in Backyard (Original Post) Ian David Apr 2012 OP
Shumlin is a smart guy but what was he thinking? flamingdem Apr 2012 #1
sad to say, the guy is a native. cali Apr 2012 #28
He should know better than to have Raven Apr 2012 #2
'arrrrgh...nom, nom, nom'. nt xchrom Apr 2012 #3
Rule # 1 let the bears do what they are doing. Botany Apr 2012 #4
Very good point. Ian David Apr 2012 #5
LOL Lefta Dissenter Apr 2012 #11
That is rich in humor Liberalynn Apr 2012 #21
An example of "stand your ground" that failed. McCamy Taylor Apr 2012 #6
lol Well not from the bears perspective. They stood their ground quite effectively. grantcart Apr 2012 #8
the same thing happened to another governor once Enrique Apr 2012 #7
Good grief - Palin's got CRABS! colorado_ufo Apr 2012 #15
Maybe, When the Moon is Just Right AndyTiedye Apr 2012 #33
Gee, everyone know that's what the cat's for... brooklynite Apr 2012 #9
So the Governor doesn't have a security detail? bluedigger Apr 2012 #10
It's Vermont. nt TheWraith Apr 2012 #17
well, he has a state police driver. Does that count. cali Apr 2012 #29
That's the second "oh, it's Vermont..." excuse I've received. bluedigger Apr 2012 #30
If you don't want bears in your yard, bvar22 Apr 2012 #12
Does that work on politicians too or just bears? 24601 Apr 2012 #35
Guess he'll be on Colbert soon!!! Roland99 Apr 2012 #13
My first thought! nt valerief Apr 2012 #19
LOL! n/t OneGrassRoot Apr 2012 #20
within "three feet of getting 'arrrh.'" IDemo Apr 2012 #14
He tried to chase the bears away liberal N proud Apr 2012 #16
great story!!! handmade34 Apr 2012 #18
Howard Dean would have screamed them away DisgustipatedinCA Apr 2012 #22
He should have let out a scream to scare them off Capt. Obvious Apr 2012 #23
Next Time, Just Throw The Ball Away and the Bears Won't Chase You Yavin4 Apr 2012 #24
Fortunately, Corey Booker saved him by strangling all four at one time. Sabriel Apr 2012 #25
Hand over the picnic basket and nobody has to get hurt! Behind the Aegis Apr 2012 #26
Hey Boo Boo Botany Apr 2012 #27
You can tell Shumlin is a Democrat in a new England state DFW Apr 2012 #31
If bears want your birdfeed just let it go 'cause man, it's gone. n/t PoliticAverse Apr 2012 #32
Sounds like Alaska Steerpike Apr 2012 #34
Why couldn't this have happened to Wisconsin's governor? jmowreader Apr 2012 #36

flamingdem

(39,303 posts)
1. Shumlin is a smart guy but what was he thinking?
Fri Apr 13, 2012, 11:19 AM
Apr 2012

You don't chase bears away like deer. I guess he's not a native?

Raven

(13,872 posts)
2. He should know better than to have
Fri Apr 13, 2012, 11:20 AM
Apr 2012

bird feeders out this time of years. The bears are awake from their winter sleeps and they're hungry. He should also know better than to confront bears with cubs. I guess he won't be doing that again! Glad he wasn't hurt.

Botany

(70,281 posts)
4. Rule # 1 let the bears do what they are doing.
Fri Apr 13, 2012, 11:21 AM
Apr 2012

If a bear is eating like him or her eat and if a mother is w/ her cubs
leave them alone. BTW their has been very few cases of unprovoked
attacks of a black bear on a human .... they tend to run away.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
29. well, he has a state police driver. Does that count.
Fri Apr 13, 2012, 02:26 PM
Apr 2012

This is Vermont. No governor's mansion and very few trappings of office.

bluedigger

(17,077 posts)
30. That's the second "oh, it's Vermont..." excuse I've received.
Fri Apr 13, 2012, 02:50 PM
Apr 2012

I grew up in Maine and know plenty of Vermonters. They are just as loonie as anyone else.

The Governor should at least get Fish & Wildlife on his speed dial. They have that in Vermont, don't they?

liberal N proud

(60,298 posts)
16. He tried to chase the bears away
Fri Apr 13, 2012, 12:52 PM
Apr 2012


You would think living in part of the country that is bear habitat one would know better.

Sabriel

(5,035 posts)
25. Fortunately, Corey Booker saved him by strangling all four at one time.
Fri Apr 13, 2012, 01:57 PM
Apr 2012

Just doing my best to help Corey unseat Chuck Norris from the Badass Meme throne.

DFW

(54,047 posts)
31. You can tell Shumlin is a Democrat in a new England state
Fri Apr 13, 2012, 03:16 PM
Apr 2012

A Republican in a southern state would have come out with both assault guns
blazing, missing the bears (though scaring them off), but fatally hitting three
members of families in neighboring houses.

After which, the cops would have patted him on the back for standing his ground,
made him coffee and gone home.

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