“ Living with Black Bears”
As I sit in my studio working on my
latest creation,
I raise my head and look outside and with a great delight, I often
see the local wildlife go by.
It was once upon a time that I would only see cars go by.
I will always be grateful for this change in my day and my
life.
“This is a personal choice,” my city friend says, as she
focuses on some of the smallest of our wildlife (the mosquitoes to be exact.)
I like to stay focused on the larger of our wild neighbors. I see some of the wildlife I raised and released as a
wildlife rehabilitator.
Hercules, the eastern cottontail goes by as does Bella the
deer and others I didn’t raise.
Although I do have a
bird feeder, I never feed the wildlife I have raised after I release them, but
they still come by.
One summer not too long ago, everyday around 4:00 in the
afternoon, a red fox passes by.
I always wonder if he carries a watch as he is always on time
(more than I can say for myself)
I would anticipate this visit, and it became the subject for
this wildlife artist’s work simply named “The Fox”.
Some has called me a tree hugger and that’s just fine with
me.
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| Tree Hug's |
Which brings me to… The
ultimate “tree hugger” Black Bears.
A bear’s life is not
so different from ours.
Raising families and finding food is at the top of their list
and sometimes while doing this, we meet.
In recent years their
numbers have been growing and they have become familiar sights, though not
always in the best of situations.
“I don’t live near bears” is your answer, but if you are
going to spend the last of the summer days in the county, or if you live in
Black Bear Country and maybe planted a nice garden and like to feed the birds,
Then I would like to share this with you.
When I first moved to this Black Bear community,
I had forgotten to put the birdseed away one day, it didn’t
take long for the local bear to climb up on the deck and help himself.
What surprised me was how quiet he was and if it wasn’t for
my dog Jessy barking I would have never known he was only a few feet away!
As a wildlife artist I enjoy seeing wildlife in the wild.
Live in peace and “bearing” with nature and you can be a tree
hugger too.
A few tips from a tree hugger for that Black Bear
"encounter”
Bear etiquette 101
#1
When
hiking outdoors in Bear country the first rule is bring a friend along.
It’s more
fun with a friend anyway.
Also
you can bring an air horn or carry a whistle with you.
Talk
or just be noisy, if you do come across a Black Bear, stand tall and make
yourself as big as possible, be loud and never turn your back on the bear.
You
can back away slowly and then leave the area and continue your hike somewhere
else.
A treed bear can be frightened so give it some space that
s/he can safely come down.
When hiking if you feel frightened by a bear it is
appropriate to yell, wave your arms, make noise.
Never turn your back on a bear, you can back up slowly and
leave the area.
If you must you can carry a can of pepper spray of the type
sold to mailmen for dogs. This is effective in chasing away a bear.
#2
A friend to the Black Bear is one that does not feed him. (He
can forage for wild food himself.) Bears don’t know that you like to feed
him and your neighbor does not.
This could make him a “Wanted Bear”.
This could make him a “Wanted Bear”.
#3
When
using bird feeders, you can either put enough seeds out in the daytime with a
catchall underneath to prevent any extra seeds from spilling onto the ground
that would attract bears.
Also, bird feeders can be replaced with shrubs and flowers
that provide food & shelter for the birds.
#4
Have
a secure garbage system: use bear resistant cans or
You
can put Ammonia in the garbage bags and the garbage cans.
Ammonia
in my outdoor cans has worked well in keeping all critters away from my garbage (including my sweet, garbage
picking dog.)
#5
Clean up your grill after every use or burn it hot for a few
minutes after using.
#6
You
compost? Happy days, good for you!
Cover
all compost, especially melons, with manure or soil. Avoid putting meat scraps
and grease in the compost.
#7
If you find a cub or feel the cub is abandoned
you can call your local D.E.C. office
(Department
of Environmental Conservation) they will know what to do.
But
stay clear just in case mom is around and you just can’t see her.
Never
get between a mother bear and her cub, if you come across a lone bear cub avoid
getting too close or handling it.
#8
Never offer the bear food or tease a bear and
keep the dog on a leash if you think there is a bear around.
#9
When
taking photos always keep a
respectable distance,
Use
a telephoto lens for your camera if you have.
#10
Remember
that these are still wild animals and they are just trying to make a living.
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| Black Bear |
Enjoy
