I know a female with cub was living happily in the Malloryville area last summer, their diet well supplemented with bird seed.
I grew up in the Adirondaks with bears. I'm not unhappy to see them returning to this area. But some precautions are wise. I think I'd move the birdseed inside and be sure the birds are secure at night. DEC has some suggestions at NYSDEC
Very cool picture. I feel that our bear was bigger, though -- after all, he lives a cushy life on a country club golf course. No foraging in the wild for him! DZ
Yup, the birdseed has been moved. He ate all the suet. The chickens are behind bars, although I think this big boy's strong enough to take down the fence if he wanted to. Luckily, I think bears tend to be lazy and go for what's easiest.
I'm guessing it is hard to make him put each foot on a scale at the same time (and see the readings from that distance). I've heard of a bear up on Snyder Hill a few years back and I know of one that hung out at the last house before entering Shindagin Hollow (on the porch).
The DEC tells Paul that no one else has reported a bear in Dryden. So I guess he's ours. (PZ says he's probably a he.)
I know a female with cub was living happily in the Malloryville area last summer, their diet well supplemented with bird seed.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the Adirondaks with bears. I'm not unhappy to see them returning to this area. But some precautions are wise. I think I'd move the birdseed inside and be sure the birds are secure at night. DEC has some suggestions at NYSDEC
Very cool picture. I feel that our bear was bigger, though -- after all, he lives a cushy life on a country club golf course. No foraging in the wild for him!
ReplyDeleteDZ
Yup, the birdseed has been moved. He ate all the suet. The chickens are behind bars, although I think this big boy's strong enough to take down the fence if he wanted to. Luckily, I think bears tend to be lazy and go for what's easiest.
ReplyDeleteWe're estimating about 270 lbs. Hard to tell; they're so hairy.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing it is hard to make him put each foot on a scale at the same time (and see the readings from that distance). I've heard of a bear up on Snyder Hill a few years back and I know of one that hung out at the last house before entering Shindagin Hollow (on the porch).
ReplyDeleteMaybe the bear will compete with the deer.