My mothers adventures

[TimT]

Got an email from my mother this morning..

Its not the first time she has emailed me about wildlife problems at our rural Vermont Hacienda

Moose in the driveway... Bear beating up the BBQ...

My mom is 77, she can handle a gun... I have a few long guns in the house... she wont touch them

On May 3, 2012, at 7:45 AM, Anne wrote:


What a night! Although we have been repeatedly told not to use bird feeders this time of year, I put a small one filled with already shelled seed (totally squirrel-proof) on my upper deck! I assumed that way up there it would be safe from predators. After all, one would have to climb up the side of the house to get at it.

Around midnight I was fast asleep when I was awakened by a thumping noise which I ignored it for a while, but the noise kept up. Finally I dragged myself out of bed and turned on the front yard light. Maybe I could see what was going on outside. The night was absolutely dark - no moon, no stars. I stood right next to the sliding glass doors in my bedroom scanning the yard. Fortunately I didn't step out on the deck, because there he was! A huge black bear, and I mean huge! He was lying down on my upstairs deck trying to get the seed out of my squirrel-proof feeder. I grabbed a camera and tried to take a few pictures through the glass. No success! Too dark even with the flash.

After awhile, Mr. Bear decided he couldn't get any seed and abandoned his effort. He stood up! He was taller than I was! Then he climbed over the railing and down the side of the screen porch - only leaving small tear in the screen - and ambled off. By this time I was so keyed up, I couldn't sleep. I took an ambien and went back to bed!

This morning I checked the squirrel-proof feeder which was now lying on the deck along with the pole from which it had hung. The bear had not managed to get into the feeder. Shall the ad companies now say the feeder was also bear proof? I have taken it in and will not ignore wildlife advice any more!

Anne

The Bear climbed up to the deck on the left in this picture..

oopss pic will be attached when things are back to normal

[gduke2010]

And don't leave food or lunch boxes in a car. I've seen the distruction. They know what is in a lunch box and even if it's empty, they know people keep food in them and will destroy a car to get food.

[Bill Douglas]

Milk and cookies.

Squirrel proof feeders - no.

[aigel]

Spring - those guys haven't eaten for months!

It can be very dangerous if you get between the bear and food. Easily achieved in a house / birdfeeder situation. It looks like your mom learned her lesson, but I'd fill her in on that fact just in case.

I would advise against shooting such a bear, except in self defense. City bears are probably not very tasty. I see their poop sometimes here in the foothills of LA - baby diapers, yoghurt cups, plastic bags, amazing what they can pass through their systems ...

G