- Apr 13, 2010
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My neighbor called me this morning to inform me a 500 pound black bear was walking through his backyard right then towards my house and that he hoped my chickens were locked up. I ran out to the kitchen porch and then to the front porch but saw nothing. I put my wonder dog out on his run on the front porch and he started barking shortly afterwards. So did the other dogs in the neighborhood. Fortunately for me the bear crossed from my woods to my neighbor across the streets woods, and continued on his way. The cheeps never alerted. The dogs did their jobs. Hence the reason I keep clean coops/runs and a clean yard. Less incentive for the local bears to come by looking for food. He did get my neighbors garbage last week when he forgot to bring it in so I suspect he was just checking to see if that opportunity was there. He has the garbage days figured out and usually comes by on or around those days. Better garbage than my chickens. I do have the means to dispatch him if I have to (as nys law says I can) but I prefer not to unless necessary. We live in the woods and so have learned to live with what lives there in relative peace unless forced to take action. It works.