Taxation or Tumbrels
1 hour ago
Friday, May 13, 2016
Bird Feeders
Don't you just love new residents who move to the country for the first time? The other day I was explaining to someone what happened to their bird feeders.
“Nope, that damage to your feeder wasn't done by birds. You are actually feeding bears.”
Love the expression on their faces.
Bears will eat just about anything it seems. Bird seed is high in calories, a perfect food for a lean bear that just came out of hibernation.
Black bears aren't particularly dangerous, but you do need to know a few things about their habits. One important thing is that if they find a good food source, like a bird feeder, they will be back. Those folks are going to have to be extra careful not to leave food around for some time now. They should also put their garbage out just before the truck come by. No leaving it out overnight for bears to paw through the chicken wings and peanut butter jars.
They should also be careful not to accidentally bump into them in the dark when walking around their place. Use lights. Make noise. If they do come across a bear, they should give it some space. I for one am not about to fight a bear over some bird seed or garbage.
That bit about not coming between a mother bear and her cubs? Totally real. Don't do that.
Bird feeders are a really bad idea around here, especially this time of year.
-Sixbears
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So parents that let their kids camp in the yard near you are ???? Hmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteTeaching their kids valuable lessons about wildlife.
DeleteWas sitting by coop one day and one walked right in back of me. Didn't even hear it. Heck of lot more aware of 'em now!
ReplyDeleteThat must have come as a shock. Bet they won't catch you unawares again.
DeleteAnd with a name like yours, they better listen! lol
ReplyDeleteBears and I have a relationship of sorts.
DeleteLuckily I don't have bears around here. If I had a few more 4 legged critters and less 2 legged ones, I feel better!
ReplyDeleteRather deal with bears than some of your 2 legged critters.
DeleteYou made me laugh, Sixbears, even though it's a serious subject. "Totally real. Don't do that".
ReplyDeleteWe have a coyote around our company property who's openly watching the does and fawns. Fellow employees are going out to try to take photo! Jeez, folks - really?
Too many people only know wild critters through Disney. They don't quite get the "wild"part.
DeleteI was with my Uncle and Aunt years ago when my aunt got between a momma bear and her two cubs trying to get a picture of the cubs. The momma chased her off into the woods so my uncle grabbed a cub and it called mamma back. A lot later my aunt came slowly out of the woods. Yep, she sure did run the wrong direction.
ReplyDeleteThat could have turned out really really badly. They lucked out.
DeleteI have some qualms about the "planting blue berry bushes" program we have embarked on up here on the mountains. I know for sure it will attract bruins and wild hogs. Neither of whom I care to have hanging around my outbuildings at night or early morning. But my wife wants blue berries, so we will have to just be careful.
ReplyDeleteMuch rather deal with black bears than hogs. We don't have any around here. . . yet. My inlaws in TX are plagued with them. Nasty critters.
DeleteWe've a lot of wild berries around here. I've shared the same berry field with bruins. If they are fat and full they are much more mellow.
One year they did a number on my nut trees. In fact, it seems every critter but me get to eat them.
Oh here's one - if you leave the garage door open, they will take a bite out of the gallon of used motor oil. They don't like used motor oil evidently, but it's okay to let it run all over, everywhere, and walk around in it so it goes even farther. Don't ask me how I know that, but if you feel like shedding a little tear, I won't stop you.
ReplyDelete