Bear problem

[Gordenia]

Do you believe that black bear will be a problem in wooded property in PA?

 

[sourland]

Probably depends upon your location. They are a problem here in central to north New Jersey. Any place north of rt 78 in Pa. has a sizeable bear population.

 

[imnukensc]

Probably best to call/contact your state game commission for bear info in your area.

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings and welcome to BYC! So glad you joined us. There's a wealth of info, knowledge and experience shared in the multitude of threads. Browse around and see what interesting stuff you can find. By all means post away when the desire strikes you, especially if you have questions (provide as much detail/info as possible and pictures truly help)... With all the great folks here, generally someone will respond in no time at all. Please make yourself at home!

If you have a bear population, then my guess is eventually, they will become an issue. There are many threads on here you can look at where bears have destroyed coops to get at the chickens inside. If you have big mean dogs, that can help, but a determined, hungry bear is, well, determined, and hungry.The only sure way (aside from shooting them) to keep a bear away from your coop is with electricity. You need hot wire and it needs to pack a punch. If there are actually bears around, folks often drape bacon strips over the hot wire or peanut butter, etc. Something to get the bear to touch the hot wire with nose or mouth and get zapped. Once they've gotten hit, they rarely challenge the hot wire again.

Oh, if you haven't done so already, PLEASE put at least your general location in your profile. It could be very important if/when you ask for or offer help or advice. You know, climate issues and such. Old folks like me will never remember from this thread. To add it, mouse hover over Account top right and a drop down will appear. Click on Personal Details and scan down. You'll see the spot for Location. Then go to the bottom and save changes. Thanks! Hope you enjoy the site!

 

[Chullicken]

Bears are interesting, I looked out my window the other day and one was about five feet away looking right back at me! Was a h*ly sh*t moment I will tell you. About twice a year I buy a large container of red pepper flakes and make a healthy ring around all my cages, walkways and points where there are breaks in the stone walls around my coop. The old-timers in my area use this around their apple trees to ward off bears. Bears constantly sniff the ground so in doing so get a little cough cough. Doesn't harm them, just an irritant. I have a large bear population where I live and I honestly thought I'd have issues, but I don't. Most people I know that raise bees and chickens have electric fences up with several strands running. When you're using a pasture energizer at such a short range it really amps up the wires. Again, doesn't cause them damage, more of an irritation. Bears are an opportunist and very misunderstood. A lot of the times areas have bear issues is because they are enabling wildlife. Feeding them, not having proper waste storage, leaving food out, BIRD FEEDERS etc. I often walk my dogs through my woods line and coop area so they can pee and just leave their scent on everything. Not sure if that works but I don't have any issues as of yet. (Knock on wood!) Live and let live is my philosophy so I try to take all reasonable precautions to avoid conflict with wildlife.

 

[PirateGirl]

Just because you have bears in PA doesn't mean bears will be a problem. However, each season, bears seem to establish a regular territory of sorts and if there is a bear that is in your neighborhood, has been seen on your property or by your neighbors, it will likely be back and can certainly be a problem.

 

[Chullicken]

All in all, I wouldn't worry yourself about it. It will just keep you up at night worrying about what-ifs. Just take some precautions and if you do get a problem, notify the local game warden first and foremost.

 

[PirateGirl]

You can't exactly bear-proof a chicken coop, they can break into cars after all, but you can certainly make things less tempting. Get rid of ALL outside attractants that you can. Keep your chicken feed, dog food, anything that smells like anything INSIDE your house. Keep your grill clean. Keep your trash inside until an hour before the trash collector comes. You get the picture. You want nothing tempting on your property to the best of your ability. You want your neighbor's house down the street to be an easier/more appealing target! Kinda kidding there, really what you want is ALL your neighbors to be on the same program of keeping bears away from your area. Good luck.

 

[Gordenia]

pepper flakes method should be repeated after rain?

 

[bald Rooster]

pepper flakes method should be repeated after rain?

Cant hurt!