Black Bear Visit

[DRH]

This small black bear visited us just before 9 P.M. this evening. Although it looks in the picture like it was after the bird feeders, it was actually just passing through our yard and it climbed up the tree when I opened the door to snap the picture.

http://www.metrocast.net/~dhughes/Black_Bear_Small.jpg

[fatlazyless]

Same thing happened here while I was away down in Mass. My neighbor reported that a small black bear came down the wildlife trail here down the end of Meredith Neck from across the road, each of the last three nights. Apparently, it left its' busness card on the front lawn, one for each visit for a total of three.

Bear factoid - According to Clarks bear show in Lincoln, your average NH wild bear lives seven years, out in the woods and NH hills, while a Clark's show bear can live from 20-35 years what with the Clarks bear amenities and home-made meals. Of course, they are not your average bears, ahem!

[Rattlesnake Gal]

What a wonderful photo DRH! Were any of the neighborhood dogs going crazy?

[DRH]

Our dog was inside at the time of the bear's visit, but after coming through our yard it went over to our next door neighbors' house and tore their bird feeder off a tree. That neighbor's dog was outside and yes, he went nuts barking! I think it may have been his barking that scared the bear back into our yard, which is when I got the picture. It all happened very quickly ... the bear came through our yard, went to the neighbors' house, tore down their bird feeder and upset their dog, came back to our yard and went up the tree as I snapped the picture, all in the course of less than two minutes.

[Rick]

:confused: Let's see :confused: -
"Although it looks in the picture like it was after the bird feeders, it was actually just passing through our yard and it climbed up the tree when I opened the door to snap the picture"A picture is worth a thousand words.

How many birds come to the feeders at night? Unfortunately this young bear is learning a fatal habit which will probably end in his demise "A fed bear is a dead bear".

The NH Fish and Game Department has some great public information that should be reviewed at:http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Somethings_Bruin.htm

[DRH]

:confused: Let's see :confused: -
"Although it looks in the picture like it was after the bird feeders, it was actually just passing through our yard and it climbed up the tree when I opened the door to snap the picture"A picture is worth a thousand words.
Rick,

Although I think your post was probably well-intended, you certainly come on strong for a first-time Forum poster who apparently registered just to respond to my "Black Bear Visit" posting. And as a lawyer would probably say, you "assume facts not in evidence".

Your assertion that "A picture is worth a thousand words" is apparently intended to imply that I have misrepresented the reason for the young bear being on our tree. My description of the events that took place in our yard is entirely accurate ... the bear was scampering across the ground until the sound of the opening door spooked him and he climbed several feet up the tree, which is a bear's natural self-preservation instinct.

How many birds come to our feeders at night? Probably none. But during the cool days of fall many birds come to the feeders during the daytime. Numerous bird species are migrating now, and they stop by our feeders on their way south.

The NH Fish & Game web site link you provided is a good one. Perhaps you should review the information there again. The F&G folks suggest taking bird feeders down between April 1 and "late fall". I submit that mid-October is certainly not far from "late fall". Also, there is still plenty of natural forage available for bears now. In our ten years at the lake this is the first time we have seen a bear in our yard, so please don't insinuate that our feeding the migrating birds in mid-October is contributing to the demise of the bear population.

[Rick]

The post was well intended. I just found it interesting that the bear went to your neighbor's bird feeder but had no intention of eating at yours. The reason why F&G states "late fall" as the time to start putting the feeders back out is so the bears will have gone into their dens. Young bears that come to feeders begin to associate houses with food. This can never be a good habit. How difficult is it to bring the feeders in at night? Since the web site link is not read by the bears F&G has no choice but to try to educate the public. Sorry if I offended you or the bear. :)

[JDeere]

F&G asks that bird feeders in the lakes region no go out until December 1. Bears are very active right now as they prepare for winter. Thanks for the picture it was great. I enjoy the birds myself but will hold off until December 1. I will do that to protect the bears.



F&G will answer your questions and they will mail you additionally info if you ask for it.

[DRH]

Another problem is garbage that people leave outside for trash pickup. Unfortunately, some people just put their trash out in plastic bags and not in proper trash containers. We've seen numerous instances around town where trash bags have been ripped apart and the contents spread all over. It's hard to say if it's dogs, crows, or bears getting into the trash, but when the bags are ripped open overnight I assume it's probably bears that are attracted by the smell. Of course, a bear can probably easily open up even a well constructed trash container, so it's best not to put them out the night before pickup if possible!

We've also heard a report of a gas grill being ripped apart by bears attracted to the grease left on the grate.