Bear tried to break down the barn door - now what

[ChickPrincess]

I know when we visited Old Forge, NY campground in the Adirondacks, they chase away black bears with paintball guns. Campers routinely feed the bears, so they have really lost their fear of people and are rather comfortable in the campground. When spotted, camp employees come on golf carts with paintball guns. I guess they sting the bears, but are harmless and the paint is also harmless.
Gees! I'd be tempted to wait on the rooftop with a shotgun!

 

[Pele]

I'm sorry you're going through this, the damage to your property must be frustrating. Not to mention your poor chickens.

I'd recommend a motion-activated flood-light, and siren. Not only could it scare him off, but that way you'll also be alerted when that bear comes around. If shooting is your only option, you'd better be aware that he's around.

And I've seen a lot of posts that hot wire is effective against bears. That and nothing much else.

 

[locke2121]

Surround your property with heavy gauge electric wire. Set the bottom wire at about 12", the 2nd at around 24" and the top one at 36 inches. This will catch the bear in the legs, snout and provide a chest shot if he/she rears up and tries to climb over. As silly as it may sound...you need to train him/her to respect the fence. Get some chicken fat...since it likes it so much..and rub in on the lines before you turn on the juice. Bears chew on things to transfer taste and smell better. One good chew and it'll be running for the hills!

 

[Stephanie739]

I've called not only local animal control but also Mass. Wildlife. Their response - you have to do a better job of protecting your birds (d'oh - really?) They dissuade you from shooting them, unless it's a last resort. Local animal control told me to put up spike strips and bright lights. I can't very well put spike strips on the door and considering how persistent he was, I don't think a bright light is going to deter him either.

What's so frustrating is that I'm not tucked into the woods somewhere. I'm on a fairly busy secondary road and my property is bound on two sides by roads, on the third side by a cemetery and the fourth is a house. All open area. The coops are about 20' from my house and the barn is about 35' from the house. Not really what you would expect for bear habitat.

Why do they dissuade you from shooting? That is what you should do.

 

[cadams]

12ga rifled slug

 

[Mike Winters]

this why you SSS, government agencys will always go out of their way to protect a dangerous animal no matter the cost. well a human life but other then that they always think they are right

 

[akashia26]

might try a motion activated noise maker and lights. not sure where to buy them but it alternates several sounds like sirens, gunshots and dogs. sudden unexpected noise and lights spook most animals. especially flashing lights.

 

[Mattemma]

If it is coming back what if it decides to bust into your home,or it catches you in the yard without a weapon?I have seen a few bear attack photos,and if it were me I would really want to SSS. Do people eat bears? Can you hire someone to trap or kill it if you don't want too? Are they protected like hawks?


Shame on the gov. agencies.Maybe they ARE super busy,but you would expect them to do more than tell you to tolerate it.When a bear becomes a constant damaging pest I really thought they would come and get it.I guess we know who not to call.

Be wishes and keep a weapon handy at all times.

 

[akashia26]

ok my husband posted the other idea ( apparently he did not read through the post very well). Try a flash bang and pepper spray. Some really strong pepper spray. You may even be able to find things online that will go off like a trip wire but its tied to something that will spray the bear. you could also set up something like a box with a trigger plate in it that will spray him as well. similar to setting up a shot gun behind a door. a bucket tied up with a piece of raw chicken hanging from it where when he pulled on the bait it would turn the bucket over. but position it so that it will pour on top of his head. If the mix is right then you will know it. might want to wear gloves while fixing it. and test it out with some water first. I would definitely carry around some really strong spray when ever I was outside doing anything.

 

[Stonerowfarm]

These are all great suggestions. Much better than Mass. Wildlife gave me the other day. His suggestion was that I act like a "bigger bear" to scare him off. Seeing as I am all of 5'2" and not a big girl, I think this might just be a bit too dangerous for my liking. Somehow picturing myself waving around a broom and growling at the bear leaves me in fits of laughter - I can only imagine what a bear would think.

As far as pepper spray and leg hold traps - I live in Massachusetts. Leg holds are illegal and pepper spray can only be purchased with a "license to carry" permit. We have a loaded 30-30 ready to go but fortunately he has not come back to our chickens. Everyone is on lock-down at night and so far, with the newly reinforced door, the bear has moved on to our neighbors. I warned the girls to be careful. They weren't and left three pails of garbage out. So far the bear has torn up the garbage on one night, a few days later took down a cypress tree and again last night took down another cypress tree. I don't know if he is trying to climb the trees and he's too heavy or if he is pushing them down trying to get the nests. Either way, no more chicken losses.