In previous columns, this space has made mention of black bears, which have become part of our local ecosystem. Black bears are big and impose themselves on rural, agricultural and residential residents. Black bears have adapted to people and now spend more time in residential areas where they can easily find food like bird seed and trash.
This causes a bear to lose its fear of people and see them as a source of easily obtainable food. This behavior will easily lead to the bear becoming a threat to human safety and possibly needing to be euthanized.
All of us can do things to help keep bears wild by taking down bird feeders, protecting livestock with electric fencing, securing all other human-associated food sources and never intentionally feeding wildlife. These steps are effective when many people participate, so encourage your friends and neighbors to also make changes that benefit bears and people.
Recent conversations have made it clear that bears are everywhere and in several sections of the North Quabbin, bear sightings are a daily occurrence. Ultimately, bird feeders can harm bears. Feeders draw bears and other wildlife into residential areas and near people. Bears that find bird feeders in backyards will start to look for other food sources, like backyard chickens, goats and other small livestock. This causes bears to lose their fear of people through a process called habituation, which can lead to the bear being euthanized to ensure human health and safety. You should remove bird feeders at the first sign of bear activity and avoid leaving empty feeders out.
Biologists have noted evidence that bird feeders may prevent bears from denning. Most black bears enter a den between November and March when natural food becomes scarce. However, a bear may forego denning if there’s plentiful human-associated foods available. This could create more human-wildlife conflict as bears would be looking for food year-round.
A better way to attract local birds is to grow native plants, shrubs, and trees and adding a water feature like a birdbath to attract songbirds. These alternative actions may increase the diversity of birds you see and will prevent the unnatural feeding of bears and other wildlife.
Anyone with bees, chickens, goats, sheep and other livestock needs to take all measures to protect them from bears. Bears, like all animals, look for the easiest source of food. Electric fencing is required as standard coops or pens will not keep a bear out. We all must secure garbage, compost, and other attractants by storing them in closed containers in a garage, outbuilding or bear-resistant trash can caddy.
Put garbage by the roadside the morning of pickup, not overnight. You can use double bags or sprinkle garbage with ammonia to help reduce odors. Empty garbage cans still attract bears, so clean cans frequently and store cans inside. Do not put meat scraps, greasy, oily or sweet materials in your compost pile. These kinds of food attract bears and other animals. Clean your barbecues and grills after each use. Do not leave food scraps, grease containers or spilled grease in your yard.
Protect your pets. A dog could trigger a bear to be aggressive, so keep dogs leashed whenever they’re outside. If you come upon a bear while with your dog, keep your dog leashed, back away slowly, and leave the area. If you see a bear in your yard, discourage it with loud sounds. An air horn is good. Make as much noise as possible.
If you encounter a bear while hiking or camping, talk in a calm voice and slowly back away. Do not approach bears or intrude between a female bear and her cubs. Do not run. If a bear is sighted in town, leave the animal alone. In most situations, if left alone, the bear will return to the forest on its own. If a bear is in a populated area, contact the Environmental Police Radio Room at (800) 632-8075 or the nearest MassWildlife District Office to report the sighting. We all need to discourage bears from being around dwellings.
Last week’s mention of trading in the Silverado brought a number of comments from those who have experienced the same situation. There was a “hot lead” on a truck in White River Junction in Vermont, but that was determined to be a little to far on a ‘maybe.’ If a 3.5L late model with the right price does not show up, we will put a few bucks into the 2016 and keep rolling along.
Right now is the peak time for a lot of fishing activities, particularly trout fishing. Local lakes are loaded with beautiful rainbows, browns, brookies and a few tiger trout and the seasonal condition of hatching insects triggers feeding.
Streams and rivers are offering great fly fishing for the same reason. Striped bass fishing off the Massachusetts coast has been excellent. Largemouth bass are entering the spawn, and large females are entering shallow water. Smallmouth fishing at Quabbin has been excellent as well. My life on the pond starts this week so “Life is Good!”
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.