News To ME!

OldManP · Post by **OldManP** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:42 pm

Well I just moved into a new house and was just warned by my neighbors about a black bear in the area. I live in an area where I didn't really know black bears frequented. I knew there were very large reptiles of the toothy type in the area, but the folks said it used to come sleep under our back deck before we moved in!!. It used to eat the trash out of the cans around the neighborhood.

ANyone had to handle a black bear?

ANy clues other than a quality firearm or large bear trap? I have a couple of dogs and don't want to risk their safety.

Interesting news though, the first time i meet my next door neighbor!

As-Ol-Joe · Post by **As-Ol-Joe** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:55 pm

You can report it to Game & Fish, they may come out, capture it and transplant it or they may tell you how to handle it.

However a bear skin rug would be nice too.

Post by **rad14701** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 6:38 am

My father has had problems with black bears coming around where he lives, mainly because he is a beekeeper, or was until the bears trashed all of his live hives... The state wouldn't do a thing to help him, either by setting traps or darting and moving the bear(s)... And they tried to tell him he couldn't shoot the bear either - until I pointed out that "legally" a beekeeper can, in fact, shoot any bear causing damage which impacts his business...

My father tried electric fences, shock plates (read 110V electrocution traps), and many other experiments, to no avail... By the time I had him convinced that hot lead was the only cure he didn't have any colonies left and has reached an age where I'd rather he didn't wander off and do such strenuous work in the summer heat... I'm hoping that this year he will have given up on beekeeping and the bear will find somewhere else to hang out... Sixty-five years of beekeeping should be considered long enough and my father has plenty of other hobbies to keep him busy...

Back on topic, most people around here aren't even aware that we have bear in this area...

wineo · Post by **wineo** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:13 am

If fish and wildlife wont help,check around with some zoos.Someone may want to trap or tranqulize the bear,and relocate him.If you have to shoot him,make sure you have a powerful enough gun to take him out safely.A small caliber gun is just going to piss him off,and he could have you for a snack.A 44mag is the minimum for bear.I would use something bigger.

OldManP · Post by **OldManP** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:31 am

Thanks guys! I appreciate the info. I'll take it all into consideration

Butch50 · Post by **Butch50** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:33 am

An old hunting tale from the Applachias:

"One old bear used to tear up Grandads bee gums and rob em, so Grandad thought he'd just set a trap for that old bear. He got him a trough and about half a gallon of honey from a gum and about a quart of moonshine whisky. He mixed the two up and poured it into that trough.

He went out there the next morning and saw he had caught that old bear. There it was, drunk, laying flat on its back playing with its feet. Grandad shot em and got a good bear hide and a pile of meat."
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Jetzon · Post by **Jetzon** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:56 am

We get Black Bears come down out of the Mountains here quite a lot when were in droughts.
I wouldn't have Any bird food out "Bird feeders" or plant any Sunflowers.
Ive watched Black Bears push over my bird feeders to eat the seed a few times.
Don't try and scare'm off Especially if its Spring time, She could have Cubs and a Momma Bear Aint a Happy Bear.