I hunted the delta years ago on the MS side and we had a few that would cross the river every now and then. A little eerie hearing them and seeing them while in a deer stand knowing the can be up in the tree quicker than you can. I was always told you shoot a black bear then you best have claw or teeth marks on you. Just saying you was threatened would be to easy to get away with killing one without cause. I understand the OP has made no threat to shooting the bear which is good, most the black bears I encountered would run at the sight or smell of a human. Knowing those are in there still makes that pre dawn walk in an evening walk out a little interesting to say the least! Some say we have a growing population of black panthers (actually I think there jaguars) here in Desoto & Marshall County. Seen a trail cam picture of one last year from Red Banks, also talked to several other locals that claimed to have seen them. I don't like big cats, they like to stalk and attack from behind,,,