Unable to ‘bear it’? Try this

Letter to the editor
Published: June 6, 2008

Editor:

Yes, Diane (Coleman), something can be done to stop black bears from damaging your property. We learned that years ago when the our first bear arrived.

I called the state game warden to trap him. He said, “Lady, that’s an Alpha Bear — if we took him away, two more bears would take his place.” He then advised me what you should do to prevent more damage at your house from visiting bears (and they will continue to visit!).

Take down your bird feeders on the first of April (when berries haven’t ripened yet, but bears are seeking food) and don’t keep bird seed in a can near your house or in a shed light enough to be damaged by a bear.

Even after the game warden’s warning, I once was awakened at 3 a.m. by the huge sound a young bear made ripping a board off our wooden house. We had attached metal trash cans filled with birdseed to the house with a strong metal chain — not strong enough for him!!

We now keep birdseed and corn in the garage and all feeders down during spring, summer and early fall.

Once a bear has found something at your house, he will return on his regular path. He’ll look around and then move on.

Our bear (or bears) have returned regularly each summer since the first one 12 years ago. He looks around, smashes down our flower garden a bit, walking through it and moves on.

One summer, I was dozing behind the flower garden and had a vague sense of something passing by. Awakening, I checked the garden and, sure enough, a new path told me a bear had passed by. He wasn’t interested in me!

Annie Rowe
Madison County