Uh Oh..we got a bear!

[hinkjc]

DH has been complaining that the deer are eating all of our sweet corn. The other day he said it looked like something was pulling the entire cob off (almost like a person). Well, yesterday he did a walk up our creek line and found out who the culprit is that's pulling the cobs off like a human. It's a bear!

He found his prints in the mud at the creek and a big pile of bear poop full of corn. Go figure! We haven't had a bear problem in years here, but the corn patch is not far from our flight pens and chicken houses. Now I'm worried when the corn is all gone, he may come down to the coops for more food. DH is getting his bear hunting license this year and we're going to keep a close eye. These PA black bears can be a real problem if let to get out of hand.

Here's to hoping the corn keeps him happy for quite a while longer.

Jody

 

[Wildsky]

Would electric fencing keep him out?

Dunno what I would do if one came to visit us - I think I'd have heart failure....

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I would freak if I saw a bear...oh my! Bears in PA must be a big thing this year. My sister lives in PA and saw a bear and her cub for the first time eating blackberries at the end of her lane. She was just heading that way to pick them and changed her mind!

I hope they stay away from your chickens

 

[hinkjc]

You know we used to go up on the mountain picking wild blueberries, but I always worried that a bear with cubs would be around the corner of the next bush. I think I was more scared than to enjoy the nature hike and fresh blueberries. lol I really don't mind the bear, as long as they stay on the mountain and away from my house. This is getting a bit too close for comfort. DH said the tracks came in from the side of our property that is fenced. That means one thing..he's already been walking past the coops.

I am going to take a walk up there today to see just how close he is getting, but I have a bad feeling. I know they don't come looking for chicken dinner..they're attracted to the chicken feed more than anything. It's once they get in the coop for the feed that worries me - as we all know how the chickens will respond and the bear has no choice but to respond as well...nature's way, I suppose. I sure hope he can behave himself till hunting season.

Jody

 

[Katy]

You better bring those lavenders inside for awhile!!

Are you not allowed to shoot it if it's getting your chickens? Do you still have to wait till hunting season?

 

[hinkjc]

Not to worry, Katy. I have learned the hard way to always have a backup plan.

I am not certain if we can shoot..I think we can, but have to call our GC Monday to be certain. Under our permit for our wild turkeys we have to protect them, so I'm not sure how far that goes. I'd imagine if the bear rushed us (humans), it would be within our rights to shoot. I don't want it to come to that, but we are always prepared (at least I'd like to think so). I know with dogs, we are allowed to shoot and ask questions later, but they are not protected like bear are here.

Jody

 

[SpottedCrow]

I don't think "shooting" would be the first thing I would do if I saw a bear coming my way...but it would be something that sounds quite similar...

 

[spook]

No, I agree, unless you have a big gun, don't shoot at it. Electric fences are what they put around honey hives around here. Do not leave food smells around, BBQ grills need to be cleaned and keep a tight reign on your garbage! Also keep your hens in, although a bear can come through windows and doors, he is not as interested in the grain while fresh food is around.
Also, hang soap bars from your trees, Ivory is the best, sprinkle cyanne pepper around your garden, they can feel heat and its not fun. Don't use huge amounts, you don't want the bear to snuff a pant load of it! lol...maybe you do! lol. Sprinkle some cyanne pepper on your corn and he will loose his appatite for it. Also, don't put this on the ground for pets to get into, place Amonia in cans and hang around. The amonia is a horrible smell.
Good luck. I take it bears digest corn like the rest of us!!! (sorry, couldn't resist! Haha)

 

[Mrs MIA]

We think we had a bear try to get to our ducks... the electric fence had been popped off of it's posts in one spot and dragged towards the woods. The system just paid for itself! I hope it got a nasty shock!

Here, if you are protecting life or property, you can shoot a bear. And if you happen to have a permit, you can keep it towards your limit.

But you'd better be a good shot and have a big gun.

 

[hinkjc]

Good shot and big gun -

I am and have that. We hunt bear here, so know what it takes to take them down. I am already tasting the bear honey roll fresh out the smoker. yum. I am just really worried I am going to wake up to a a ripped open coop. You can't stop them from taking doors off a coop if they really want to get in.

spook - thanks for those tips. I had never heard of that before, but will definitely consider trying them.

Jody