Living in Bear Country Archives

24Oct 2018 by LaVonne Ewing

Electrifying Solutions for Keeping Bears Out

Living in Bear Country, Playing in Bear Country

Ordinary fences won’t keep out bears. It’s easy for a bear to climb up and over to get to something it wants on the other side. Black bears are excellent diggers and can tunnel underneath as well. A properly constructed, installed, and maintained electric fence is one of the most fool-proof and powerful bear-deterrents available. Farm and ranch stores and most home improvement stores offer affordable and effective portable and permanent electric fencing. Bears and electricity just don’t mix. When a bear’s super-sensitive lips, nose or tongue come in contact with 6,000 volts, the bear has an experience it never wants to repeat. Getting shocked does no permanent damage, but it makes a permanent and lasting impression. And best of all it prevents the bear from getting a food reward.…

13Feb 2018 by LaVonne Ewing

One Bite Really Will Kill You

Living in Bear Country

If people food is readily available, it’s just a matter of time before a bear comes exploring. If the bear has a positive experience (getting a food reward) without any negative consequences (being yelled at and chased off), it will try for what its enterprising bear-brain thinks might be an even bigger and better reward. People tend to ignore these early stages of conflict, hoping the bear will eventually move on, or rationalizing that losing a bag of garbage or the occasional feeder full of bird seed isn’t so bad. But ignoring a bear’s activity encourages it not only to continue, but to escalate. The longer people wait to report conflicts and remove attractants, the more likely it is that some bears will push past the limits of tolerance and…

05May 2017 by LaVonne Ewing No Comments

10 Tips for Bear-Proofing Your Home Year-Round

Living in Bear Country

Black bears are always looking for food. Their super-sensitive noses can sniff out odors from up to five miles away. Things we humans don't consider food like smelly trash, pet food, birdseed and hot tub covers smell good to a bear. Chickens, beehives and ripening fruits and vegetables are also highly appealing. Once a bear learns that human places provide an endless supply of high-calorie foods, it will keep coming back for more. Bears determinedly searching for food can easily damage property or even injure someone. That's why thousands of black bears needlessly lose their lives each year. "When a bear learns to rely on people for food, its days are numbered. When we teach bears to avoid people places, we give them a much better chance of living a…

05May 2017 by LaVonne Ewing No Comments

How to Keep Your Vacation Home Safe When You’re Away

Living in Bear Country

If you live in bear country part time, it can be tough to remember to “think like a bear” every time you head back home. But bears don’t have second homes. Taking time to be bear smart and posting information for guests and renters can prevent problems and protect your home and property. Outside Your Vacation Cabin / Home • Odors of all types attract bears. Take all food, garbage, trash, empty bottles and cans, packaging and recyclables with you. Don’t leave insect repellents, citronella candles or other scented products outside. • Wash out garbage cans and recycling bins and store inside. • Thoroughly clean and disinfect your BBQ grill, picnic and deck tables. • Bring in all bird feeders and birdseed, and store in a bear-proof location. Clean up…