pete, alone deer-hunting near dusk with my 7 X 57 Mauser in my hands, I was 100 per cent positive that I was looking at a black bear. I confirmed it by looking through the scope. Yes, back on, moving head from side to side.

A younger man more impulsive than I am now, I can't say why I held fire. I watched it for at least a minute when the bear stood up, wearing a dark red and black mackinaw and dark brown Humphrey pants.

The bear was a berry-picker. I was that close to ruining my life.