Florida man

[ladder13]

No, not the usual FM. This poor old guy died via black bear.


“Wildlife officials have identified the bear that killed Robert Markel.

Only one of the three black bears shot after Markel, of remote Jerome in Collier County, was mauled was responsible for the 89-year-old's death, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said.

A post-mortem exam of the bears found Markel's partial remains in the body of a 263-pound male. Tests confirmed that bear's DNA also was on Markel, in his home and on the body of a family dog.“


https://www.naplesnews.com/story/ne...nfirms-263-pound-male-mauled-man/83541537007/

 

[SMSgt]

A lot of bears in Florida. Surprised it doesn't happen more often.

 

[soFlaNative]

FWC reports 42 bear attacks since 2006. The last 15 and over half of the total involved dogs.
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/living/encounter/

 

[ladder13]

We drove through Big Cypress on the way to Naples from Ft Lauderdale in Feb. That is a vast natural area, who knows what’s in it.

 

[lihpster]

The last 15 and over half of the total involved dogs.

This. Bear goes after dog, owner goes after bear. I understand it, not sure I would do differently myself. I love dogs. But it is dangerous.
I've told a story here before about my father and Duke, the black lab. My dad was doing some late spring scouting for archery elk season and took the dog along to get him out and stretch his legs. He was slowly walking down a closed road with small meadows dotting both sides of the road. Duke was exploring everything within about 50 yards of him. If he got any further than that, dad would call him back with a low whistle.
As Duke was checking out one of the meadows, dad was looking for tracks and studying the ground, when he looked up and saw a black body go into the brush about 150 yards away. He was just about to give a loud whistle and maybe a "Come!" or 2, when he feels something brush his leg. It's Duke, looking up at him with that happy lab face and no idea they are not alone. Dad got ahold of his collar and walked him back to the truck. After he put him inside, he went back and checked. Sure enough, some pretty large bear tracks.
By the way, this was 40-50 years ago and the woods were a different place. He was unarmed. Didn't even have a gun in the truck. Doubtful he had anything bigger than an Uncle Henry on him. But I knew my father and how much he loved that dog. He absolutely would have gotten in the mix.

 

[sjmjax]

It’s Florida!
Sharks will get you in the ocean.
Alligators will get you in the river or lake.
Bears will get you on land.
Pythons will get you in the swamp.
Cougars will get you in the bars.

 

[Bullet Bob]

More people are killed each year by cattle than by bears and sharks, combined. But bovines don't get the press. As far as wild things, stinging insects top them all. Maybe we should be discussing tactical flyswatters.

 

[ladder13]

More people are killed each year by cattle than by bears and sharks, combined. But bovines don't get the press. As far as wild things, stinging insects top them all. Maybe we should be discussing tactical flyswatters.

Be my guest.

 

[steelslaver]

An average of about 100 people are killed by falling trees every year, Bears account for less than 2 per year. Yet, nobody talks about which size chain saw to carry in the woods

 

[Bugkiller99]

More people are killed each year by cattle than by bears and sharks, combined. But bovines don't get the press. As far as wild things, stinging insects top them all. Maybe we should be discussing tactical flyswatter

Did someone call me????

 

[wood714]

Last week a woman was killed by a gator while canoeing in Polk County Florida.

Killed By Gator

 

[chief38]

We routinely see bears, gators, coyotes, panthers, bobcats, all kinds of snakes (some venomous), but to be very honest I am unaware of any residents here being bothered by them. We have 5 big lakes and a dozen small ones stocked full of fish, turtles, plus plenty of rabbits, birds and other wildlife around here that serves as a Publix supermarket for the predators.

Not too long ago we had a 12 foot gator stroll right by the pickle ball courts mid-day. There were a slew of people there and he was just on his way from one big lake to another 300 yards away. He strolled slowly past everyone like he owned the place. There were videos and pictures posted so I know people were fairly close, but he never even turned around.

 

[steelslaver]

More people are killed each year by cattle than by bears and sharks, combined. But bovines don't get the press. As far as wild things, stinging insects top them all. Maybe we should be discussing tactical flyswatters.

Before someone brings up how any cattle there are, remember there are not that many buffalo and people still manage to get gored by them every year. In fact the goring season has already got off to a good start in Yellowstone. But, Bison like bears do get the press.

A Yellowstone National park visitor from Florida was gored by a bison — the first such violent encounter of 2025 — just weeks into the busy summer season.

 

[Greyman50]

Best “ tactical flyswatters” I’ve found.

 

[ladder13]

Not an everyday event in FL, first fatal attack via bear in its history. That is news.

 

[Nevada Ed]

My Pappy told me to watch out for the ones that get

tired of Picnik baskets !!

 

[Golphin]

"This. Bear goes after dog, owner goes after bear. I understand it, not sure I would do differently myself. I love dogs. But it is dangerous."

Same results but many times the dog goes after the bear and the owner goes to save the dog. First report ever in Florida of anyone being killed by a bear in Florida. It has been happening a lot more with all the development in Florida and will get worse before it gets better as the developers build on every square inch of Florida land. People walking their poodles early in the morning or late at night is when it happens a lot.

 

[Rule3]

How many thousands are killed in traffic accidents?

Fla ranks #3

https://wisevoter.com/state-rankings/fatal-car-accidents-by-state/#florida

 

[MOONDAWG]

Lots and lots of Black Bears in my neck of the woods along the Gulf of America coast.

For the past 6 decades + they've been as much a nuisance as stray dogs as they will ransack your garbage cans on trash pickup days.

Clapping your hands and loudly shouting “SCAT” is about all that’s needed to get them scurrying off.

They react the same to little yapping dogs as long as the pups keep a respectful distance.

 

[Rule3]

The "news" keeps repeating the same things from 5/5/25 I just wonder if the elderly man had died before the bear dragged him out into the woods? No real details.

 

[Sixgun100]

It’s Florida!
Sharks will get you in the ocean.
Alligators will get you in the river or lake.
Bears will get you on land.
Cougars will get you in the bars.

You left out the Burmese Pythons…….

 

[sjmjax]

Florida is almost as dangerous as Australia!
I’ll have to do a little edit!

I’m not sure what to say about the hurricanes, tourists & mosquitoes.

 

[turnerriver]

This is more like what I think of as a Florida man. I’ve canoed around big gators before, that poor woman
had very bad luck in the wrong place at the wrong time.
https://wsvn.com/news/local/miami-d...imself-at-walmart-startling-weekend-shoppers/Regards,

 

[MOONDAWG]

The "news" keeps repeating the same things from 5/5/25 I just wonder if the elderly man had died before the bear dragged him out into the woods? No real details.

At his age more than likely (and hopefully!
he was dead long before being dragged away.