Protecting my home from blackbears
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 7:48 am
We moved to the Catskills (Andes) about a year and a half ago. Because of the brutally cold winter, I fed birds (mostly Chickadees, Blue Jay and Finches) through birdfeeders. I have had hundreds of birds partaking in this winter treat. However, now that Spring is approaching and the snow is melting, I have large piles of bird seed on the ground, discarded by the birds and close to my home. As I know the black bear will be coming out of hibernation, I am now afraid of attracting them. Last Spring we had a very large black bear (probably 700 pounds) come within feet of my home several times throughout the spring looking for food, and birdseed was not available. Do I shovel up all of the seed and move it to the woods, throw it out or leave it alone? I want to do right by these magnificent creatures but also am very aware of the danger. (Last year it only took one time for our trash cans to be emptied and dragged into the woods to learn about not leaving them out overnight for pick-up) Any other ideas for controlling the bear in my area is appreciated.