[PatBC]

A large dog in the yard will help keep the bears away unless the bear is very sick or hungry. I do not know if children are present that certainly could have an impact. My experience with black bears is that they will flee if they hear you coming. At the same time bears can be quite destructive if you do not bear proof.

In general I agree about not wanting to shooting them however it may come to that point, to me any human life trumps any other lifeform. If you are careful it need likely not come to that.