Time to take 'em down?

[hilltopper]

I have a few bird feeders in a cherry tree. I really like that fruit tree and would prefer not to have a 400 pound bear camped out in it. So, do you think it's time to take down the feeders?

[boat_guy64]

It seems like the bears in Meredith come out like clock work on March 30. We always ask everyone to have them in by April 1 in our development but every year they seem to get hit by bears on March 30. I would assume that depending on weather, that could shift either way by a few days.

[BroadHopper]

I recall that the fish and game and national wildlife federation would prefer that people do not hang out bird feeders during the fall and winter months. It effect the migration of wild birds, if there is food supply they may not migrate.

This was a while ago, I have not heard anything since. Because of this my family do not hang out bird feeders in the fall and winter months. We will hang out the feeders during the summer, especially the hummingbird feeder.

If you have trouble with squirrels and 'coons, sprinkling cayenne pepper in the bird feed deter them. The birds cannot taste the pepper. I am not sure if this trick will deter the bears, but they usually tear down the feeder before they feed.

[upthesaukee]

I recall that the fish and game and national wildlife federation would prefer that people do not hang out bird feeders during the fall and winter months. It effect the migration of wild birds, if there is food supply they may not migrate.

This was a while ago, I have not heard anything since. Because of this my family do not hang out bird feeders in the fall and winter months. We will hang out the feeders during the summer, especially the hummingbird feeder.

If you have trouble with squirrels and 'coons, sprinkling cayenne pepper in the bird feed deter them. The birds cannot taste the pepper. I am not sure if this trick will deter the bears, but they usually tear down the feeder before they feed.
Several posts through Google say that feeding birds in the fall and winter does not stop migration. The birds innate urge to go is too strong.

NH F&G does recommend taking down feeders before bears get active in the spring. Last year, our Masonic Lodge had a Ladies night and invited a F&G rep to speak. The advice was to feed over the winter, but take them down before the bears come out....the catch phrase was "don't make a good bear a bad bear.

[BroadHopper]

F&G wants you to take down the bird feeders between April 1 and Dec 1. It makes sense as there were over 1,100 complaints involving bears last year.

http://www.wmur.com/news/nh-news/NH-officials-want-bird-feeders-down-by-April-1/-/9857858/19536470/-/151l6s1/-/index.html