Well the Bear did initially attack from behind, (for one or both of the two reasons you've given), -was then startled off, -before the Hunter then accidentally further wounded himself. (the Wisdom or Non-Wisdom of his going after the Bear, -being another though connected matter. Nevertheless, he may well have *Not* done so out of Pure Spite, etc.)

You may or may not have some point, -in asking why a Bear may do as I suggested it might. You may well know more about Bears than I. Your West Canadian Rockies have Plenty Larger and More Bears than we!, -though PA is far from a Bear Poor State as well! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> (Every year we have up to several Blacks, wandering down into our Pittsburgh Suburbs!) Thanks for giving such Input.

Were I in the Situation though, -I wouldn't want to Risk or Trust, -in the Bear's possible Neutrality or "Kindness"! While not immeadiately going after it out of Revenge, Pride, or Spitefulness, etc, -as did this Hunter possibly have, -I would at least maintain a Good Watch, as I soon set about extricating myself from the general area.

I think that I have read about / heard about in films etc, -of Bears being known to come back for Further Investigation / Change of Mind. This is where I was coming from. "Perceived Threat" and "Easy Meal" can figure into this as well. This need not be an Either / Or situation.

And if the Bear possibly would come back, -it wouldn't be out of the same sort of Pure Human Pride, Spite, and Revenge, -as the Hunter *Possibly* had! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]aardwolfe[/email]