Black Bear Bandit

[astone]

Does anyone else have a problem with bears? Where we live at is next to East Lynn Lake and here recently I've had a visitor who has a taste for chickens. The night he was here, he managed to take 1 of my laying hens,Helen, before we could make it out there. He disappeared, only to return with me having been on our porch for awhile, it's like he waited for me to go in. He came to my kit hen door where I have my Polish chickens (I am highly attached to these birds,,] and attempted to take all my babies. Any tips on how I can keep him away? I believe that all life is precious including bears,he's just doing what they do and I would really hate to have to put him down.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Do you have dogs? That would be the first step. My family lives in bear country and rarely do bears visit unless they are after the chicken feed but they have at least two big dogs at all times. The next thing to do is call DNR or equivalent to see about having the bear relocated or otherwise. Out here we have people that bear hunt and would be happy to get a call if I found one that close to my house. Just some ideas. Electric fencing is another option.

 

[astone]

I have a dog, if that's what you wanna call him. He's a bigger chicken than all the chickens combined. When the bear came back at 539 that morning I had untied the dog at 2 am. We spoke to the army Corp people at the lake and they suggested the DNR. We have installed an electric fence only to discover our box has come up missing (yay for locals). Ive tried spraying various perfumes around them. Hopefully he goes away. I'm sure my polish chickens are wondering why I've tied them to a grill and have them completely hidden. I will call DNR tomorrow and see what they say.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Keep us posted! I live in black bear country which is better than grizzly bear country I suppose lol

 

[McChooky]

Remove all garbage and don't grill outdoors until its moved on. They'll destroy a coop to get the chicken feed . An air horn or a warning shot might discourage one.You need to keep bear spray on you when you go out to the coop if you don't have an electric fence

 

[astone]

So I am still battling the bear. I got a kill permit from the DNR. I've put motion lights and new fencing and boards with nails it's probably dangerous walking around out here just cuz of my traps..but I have a BOBCAT coming right to my door grabbing my birds now. I can't win for losing. I've gone from 37 to 22 in my flock. Yesterday my game rooster I've had for 2 years Bert

 

[astone]

He was grabbed and I actually ran after the bobcat that had my chicken. I know not smart but at least the cat dropped him. He's battled a black bear and bobcat, if he can survive that then I'm sure as heck gonna fight for him when he is In trouble.. Bert has a broken left wing however and looks like he needs a good therapist today

 

[Vadard]

Sorry for your losses. My two cents:

Get your electric fence back up, and put a cellular-enabled trail camera on it to hopefully deter or catch the thief in action. Talk to local law enforcement. Honestly, I think the thief concerns me more than the critters. You need to deal with that urgently. Once you're on their radar, they'll be back... just like any other varmint.

Make sure the electric fence has enough juice to get through the bear's thick fur. Make sure the bottom wire is close enough to the ground (about 6") to keep out weasels and such (might as well). A good electric fence keeps chickens and predators alive. Good fences make good neighbors!