Cali Man Finds 500-Pound Black Bear Living Under His Home 🐻

As we continue to slowly inch back towards the weekend, let’s all take a minute to grab a coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get into what this beautiful Tuesday has to offer.

Here's what's worth reading about so far this week:

IT’S INCREDIBLE HE FIT IN THERE
THE MOMENT A CALIFORNIA MAN REALIZED HIS NEW ROOMMATE WAS A 500-LB BLACK BEAR WHO DOESN’T PAY RENT

Kenneth Johnson knew something was off when the bricks under his house started looking like they’d lost a bar fight and continued to get worse as months passed. By the time he realized the damage was caused by a furry, uninvited tenant in the form of a full-grown black bear with the spatial awareness of a contortionist, it was too late.

The crawl-space crash pad belongs to Johnson’s modest home in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, an area still recovering from January’s devastating Eaton Fire. Following the smoldering remnants of the landscape, displaced wildlife has since been turning suburban backyards into Airbnb listings, but this particular guest took “staying a while” to a whole other level.

“It started in February,” Johnson, 63, told reporters while eyeing the side yard like it might explode. “Bricks pushed in, wood splintered. I thought, ‘No way a bear fits through that hole.’ Then I met the bear.”

👧 12-Year-Old Wyoming Girl Drops Massive 320-Inch Bull Elk with One Shot at 600 Yards. In the crisp fading light of a September day in Campbell County, Wyoming, 12-year-old Kaci Bulkley made hunting history with a jaw-dropping single shot that felled a massive bull elk from an astonishing 600 yards away. Using her custom-built 7mm Remington Magnum rifle—crafted by her father—the young sharpshooter targeted a trophy bull boasting a sprawling 320-inch antler rack, which she affectionately nicknamed "Brutus." The shot wasn't without its challenges; Kaci, feeling unsteady, relied on a makeshift rest from her dad's shoe under the gunstock for stability. The elk dropped after just 10 seconds and a mere five yards of movement, marking Kaci's first elk and showcasing her poise under pressure. Already a seasoned hunter with successes on coyotes, antelope, and a 184-inch mule deer buck, Kaci has a clear philosophy: "I only shoot boy animals," she says, adding, "I don’t see a reason to shoot anything smaller."

Her father, a skilled gunsmith, credits rigorous preparation, noting they practiced at 500 yards just before the hunt and only take long shots when conditions align with their "equipment and confidence." The family hunts on private land they've owned for about 50 years, which they steward for wildlife by adding water sources and allowing friends and family access. Kaci's prize will yield plenty of meat for the family, plus a full shoulder mount from a taxidermist, turning her epic harvest into a long-lasting trophy.

🎣 Alabama's Fishing Tournaments Reel In Cancellations Amid Liability Fears After Deadly Crash. Multiple fishing tournaments across Alabama have been abruptly canceled, with organizers citing mounting liability concerns triggered by a tragic April crash on Smith Lake that claimed the life of three anglers. The incident, involving a high-speed boat collision during a tournament, has left smaller event directors—many operating without robust insurance—wary of potential lawsuits, fearing they could be held accountable for participants' actions. High-profile events like the Black Friday Guntersville Open fell victim to the trend, with its directors announcing the pullout on social media amid a wave of similar decisions statewide. Compounding fears were comments from District Attorney Champ Crocker, who noted that tournament facilitators "owe a duty to promote safety" for all involved, as affirmed by a grand jury—prompting preemptive retreats even as one of the victim’s family pursues a lawsuit against Major League Fishing.

The ripple effects are hitting hard in tournament-dependent communities, where events fuel local economies through packed restaurants, gas stations, and bait shops. While the precise tally of canceled events remains unclear, the statewide chill reflects a broader caution among organizers, who are prioritizing risk avoidance over rods and reels. Johnson pointed to the DA's public statements as a key deterrent, beyond mere paperwork woes.

🏷️ Idaho is Doing Away with OTC Deer and Elk Tags for Nonresidents, Moving to Draw System. Idaho's Department of Fish and Wildlife is overhauling its nonresident big game tag sales for the 2026 season, eliminating over-the-counter (OTC) options for deer and elk and replacing them with a lottery draw to curb chaotic online queues and ensure fairer access. The move comes after years of frustration with the first-come, first-served system, which saw an estimated 80,000 nonresidents vying for just 28,000 tags last December—crashing servers and sparking complaints from out-of-state hunters who couldn't compete with those camping in line. Applications open December 5-15, 2025, with winners required to claim tags by January 20, 2026; unit-specific caps from prior years will carry over to manage hunter numbers and protect wildlife.

While the change levels the playing field for fly-in hunters who previously missed out, it's ruffling feathers among high-volume buyers who thrived under the old rush, potentially impacting the 60% of IDFG's revenue from nonresidents. A second-chance draw for leftovers runs February 5-15, 2026, but early birds are advised to scout units now, as the Gem State's vast public lands remain a draw despite the new hurdles.

😂 When you’re kind of a good Samaritan when it comes to chasing off bears. Apparently this dude stumbled across this big ol’ bear chomping down on something in the back of a Florida Man’s truck and took it upon himself to aggressively chase it away.

Apparently with a lot of explicit language, a bear will retreat…

Oh, and one more thing…