Black bear - Vinnie & friends

Chapter 3 - Vinnie

Vinnie, the Black Bear appears in Chapter 3 of BRAVE FACE as a marauding youth, unable to stop his taste for chocolate and other delicious treats. A snippet from the Chapter, "He sat at the picnic table, fat black rump overhanging the seat. He had thought the cupboards would contain more sweets to his liking but his black velvet nose and elongated snout found something more appealing."

My husband had taken on a pay for use service of trapping and relocating black bear. Two year old black bear were the typical culprits of break and entry into many cottages both on islands and mainland. 

With over 16,000 islands on Lake of the Woods in Canada, bears simply swam from island to island in search of food. The northern woods provided blueberries and barbecues!

Escaping black bear - Vinnie?

---

There were numerous attempts to capture Vinnie. Several cabins had been broken into. The trap had been set, but Vinnie would miraculously choose break and enter to the metal cage with bread and sweet syrup.
Adapt at climbing, swimming and running 48-56 km per hour, the black bear is rarely seen as they are shy and prefer to avoid humans.
That does not mean they are not dangerous if threatened, hungry or over-habituated to people feeding them.
Vinnie moved on.