My uncle ran into a black bear last night. It killed his Labador and knocked all his trash cans over. So would you suggest kill the bear or is there a humane way to get it to vacate the premis and stay gone.

I'm farther out here in the sticks than he is. My minatures wouldn't make hardly a good bite for a bear.

About 4:a.m. I heard an awful racket It's quite possible that theres 2 bears around here. A big piece of my fence was torn down and some pretty big tracks (bear?).

I'm listening :o)

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), November 25, 2001

Answers

A bear rug would look so cute in the living room! heehee! Is it legal to shoot them? I think that if one were attacking my lab that I would shoot first and ask questions later. Just my opinion :~)!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), November 25, 2001.

Hi Kenneth, be careful. We had a local teacher who was hiking with her husband, killed in the Smoky Mtn. Park last year by a bear. I don't know of a humane way to get rid of the bear, other than calling the game warden or if you're around a park, call the ranger. I know some of the rangers have had to put down bears that wouldn't stay in the park and would wander into town, but I don't know if it's legal for a "civilian" to kill them. Once the bears get a "taste" of the garbage, they are extremely hard to get rid of them. The restaurants in Gatlinburg, have a continuous problem with this at their garbage dumps. Guess I'm not much help, but you could call the authorities and ask them, if nothing else.

-- Annie (mistletoe@kconline.com), November 25, 2001.

Geez, that is really too bad. I HATE the idea of killing bears, but I guess if it was bold and dangerous enough to kill my dog, I'd be inclined to kill it myself. Are you SURE it was a bear that killed the dog?

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), November 25, 2001.

I sure would hate to see the bear killed, and would only use this as a last alternative. I too think you better call the Dept. of Wildlife before you take any action.

-- clove (clovis97@Yahoo.com), November 25, 2001.

Yes my uncle saw the bear.

The park ranger came out just a few minutes ago. He set several traps. He said they have one bear that has been running up and down the pipe line. It has gotten a strong taste of garbage and has killed 4 dogs so far. Right now it hasn't harmed any humans but it looks like their going to have to hunt it down. The ranger did say it was dangerous.

Boy do I feel safe in this thin walled mobile home.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), November 25, 2001.

sounds like you need bigger dogs, or better,, 2 dogs should keep a bear at bay

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), November 25, 2001.

Oh Kenneth, if the critter has a can opener I would keep an eye on him! But seriously....I would be scared to death! Do you have a gun in case it was trying to get in? Hubby says that they can get in if they want to!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), November 25, 2001.

Just asked my hubby what he would do about your bear. He said that he would GRIN it to death. See, I am not the only smart aleck in the family. Remember Davy Crockett? Maybe that was before toothbrushes?

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), November 25, 2001.

hey, i read about this "deterent" for bears: put a few containers of honey out around your land's boarders, with lots of cayenne mixed in. the bears eat it, but burn the hell out of their mouths, and don't go back to the area. i read it in a book (which I HIGHLY recommend) called SIMPLE SKILLS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING. I don't know if it works, but it is an interesting idea. I am going to try their suggestions for cougars when I get the energy...

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.net), November 25, 2001.

the honey with cayenne pepper wont work in the fall,, when bear will eat ANYTHING to gain weight fro winter. Best deterant around here,, is a couple GOOD dogs

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), November 25, 2001.

Hi all, Well if you want my two cents worth, I'd have to say that if you live in Bear country, then you have to be prepared for any situation that might occur. We live where there are Wolves and people always complain that the "Wolves ate my Dog." Well, to me, if you live where these Animals live, then you have to protect YOUR Animals and if they get eaten because you left them on a chain (which to me is just like baiting them) or let them wonder in the woods away from you, it's the same as you letting your kids get out of sight in a Mall and a stranger grabbing them. Think about it. I mean They were here first and we are pushing Them out of Their territory because the world is so overpopulated. We need to respect Their space and realize that we are the ones that should be more careful to keep from bothering Them! Humans are the problem here, not the Animals. I have more respect for Them than I do most humans. I absolutely love all Animals and they are fascinating to watch. I feel honored to live among the wild ones here. That's why it would be so hard for us to leave which is something we have been contemplating. Anyway, this is just my thoughts. Thanks for listening, Deb P.S.Hope I didn't offend anyone.

-- Deb Borgia (borgia@northernnet.com), November 25, 2001.

Where are you living, Deb? I saw two wolves today. Also one bull moose, two cow moose, about 40 willow ptarmigan and about 700 caribou. All on a 2 1/2 hr snowmobile loop from my home.

-- Audie (paxtours@alaska.net), November 25, 2001.

Hi Kenneth; I,m just over the mountains from you in east tn. To answer your question, I,d shoot it(and eat it, bear meat is great).

-- Bill VanFossan (van37725@yahoo.com), November 26, 2001.

If the bear is big enough to kill a lab, then it is probably big enough to kill your child, or grandchild, you decide.

Be aware that bears are actually very lazy and will come back to the same place over and over again for easy pickins. You decide.

Bears are distant cousins to raccoons (aren't they cute?), and will work in groups. I have seen as many as 17 raccoons in the same group making one of thier "feeding" (killing) raids. You decide.

As has been mentioned, bears are good to eat. The fat can be used in a number of ways as can the skin. This resource is renewable (bears reproduce, immagine that). You decide.

It needs to be understood, that bears and all other wild animals that require a hunting license, are being raised by the states as a cash crop. This is being done at the expense of the land owners, who are expected to provide range, feed, and deal with the damage (like dead livestock, pets and relatives), all so the state can reap a profit on the project. So if you ask the state agency or employee for information about your situation be assured that the response will be slanted. You decide.

Bears are very difficult to kill. They have a thick fur that acts like a bulletproof covering on them. A shotgun with a deer slug is what I would reccomend. I prefer a 12 ga. A '44 magnum might also do the job, (might not too). You decide.

-- Ed Copp (edcopp@yahoo.com), November 26, 2001.

Audie, I live in Northeastern MN. We used to see a lot of wolves around us but there are more people moving to our area and we have a new neighbor with a big mouth and barking dog and haven't seen any around since they moved in. I'm envious of you to see all those Wild Animals so close to you. Where abouts in Alaska? Thanks, Deb

-- Deb Borgia (borgia@northernnet.com), November 26, 2001.

There are only 2 things that can be done when it comes to bears....

You either shoot them or relocate them.

That is it!

Ok, there is one more thing that can be done, but, it takes a couple of years to raise them...that is to get yourself Livestock Guardian Dogs. More then 1! Two is better 3 is even better! Their barking will deter most trespassers and anything that challenges these dogs in alert mode won't survive.

Livestock Guardian Dogs are a kinder gentler way of dealing with predator problems and I haven't had to get up and get dressed in a hurry, grab the gun and trudge off at 3am in the cold to chase off any predators since I got my dogs. No more losses of hives to bears, no more losses of chickens and rabbits to raccoons, no more losses of livestock to mountain lions or coyotes. Best decision I have ever made! Best dogs I have ever had.

-- westbrook (westbrook_farms@yahoo.com), November 26, 2001.

KEN....FIRST I WOULD FOLLOW OFFICIAL CHANNELS.CONTACT YOUR FORESTRY / WILD LIFE DEPT. EXPLAIN THE SITUATION...GET THEM TO TRAP THE BEAR[S] AND SHIP IT/THEM AWAY.IF THEY DEEM IT DANGEROUS THEN THEY WILL SHOT IT.THEY GENERALLY MOVE THEM IN MY AREA TO A REMOTE AREA...THE HUMAINE WAY. SECONDLY,IF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DIDN`T DO ANYTHING.THEN IF I FEARED FOR MY LIFE OR THE FARM ANIMALS AND PETS I`D SHOOT IT. REMEMBER I`D RATHER BE JUDGED BY TWELVE THAN CARRIED BY SIX. THIRDLY,ANYTHING YOU DO TO SCARE THE BEAR IS JUST SHORT TERM. THEY WILL BE BACK.SO DON`T LEAVE ANY GARBAGE OUT SIDE ACCESSABLE TO THE BEAR.PUT IT IN AN OLD OIL TANK CONVERTED INTO A GARBAGE CONTAINER. PUT A LOCKING LID ON IT.THEN HE WILL SEARCH OUT AN EASIER MEAL.POUR SOME AMMONIA OVER GARBAGE AND INSIDE BAG/ON THE BAG.IF IT DOESN`T SMELL GOOD THEN HE MIGHT MOVE ON. FOURTHLY,YOU CAN GET THE PEPPER SPRAYS IN LARGE CONTAINERS. THEY WILL KNOCK A BEAR OUT.THEY COME IN A CONTAINERS LIKE SMALL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS[SP].GUIDES AND TRAPPERS CARRY THEM FOR PROTECTION.BUT THEY REQUIRE A LICENSE.IT HITS THEM WITH A MAJOR BLAST.

CORDWOODGUY

-- CORDWOODGUY (cordwoodguy@n2teaching.com), November 26, 2001.

ummm guys (and girls) did I mention our property connects to the national forest? The bear (s) have 1000's of acres to roam on. Even some really fine caves to call home too.

My dogs are all minatures. We have over the past 10 years found that we get along better with our minn-pinns and chihuahua's.

Well the bear outfoxed the rangers trap and stole the food. (you have to admire the bears gumption.)

Last resort I'll shoot the bear. Hope it leaves us alone. The state will give us an exemption if we kill it to protect lives. (not necessarily livestock).

Thanks for all the suggestion's.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), November 26, 2001.

We live in Bear country and have chickens and a garden. The people around us have Bears come to their garbage piles pretty regularly but they never bother us cause I put an electric fence around the place. I read that beekeepers us them to protect their hives so I figured that with something as tempting as a hive of honey it must work. Anyway, it works for us and then we can all live in peace. Bears and us. I could not shoot a Bear unless it was attacking me. When they look into your eyes there is just something there. A lot more intelligence than most people have. Just another suggestion. Hope it helps. Steve

-- Steve (borgia@northernnet.com), November 26, 2001.

Bears are just large over-sized raccoons, so you have to remove or secure ALL food/food sources that might attract them, and I mean ALL sources.

Our German Shepard and our other three large mutts make good bear deterents, Stan is right, you also need BIGGER/FEROCIOUS dogs!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), November 26, 2001.

Wow Kenneth, living next to a Federal forest, it's going to be hard to keep the bears away. I have a friend that lives in Gatlinburg and the bears are constantly bothering her bird feeders. She hung them way high, but the bears just pulled the poles down! She gave up and said the birds are on their own as far as food now!!! She's also to the point that she's scared to go outside. One of the biggest problems we have around here, and you all might too, the tourists feed the bears in the park (a HUGE problem), the bears get used to it and want more, they come into town looking for the food, then you might as well hang it up trying to get them to stop. They're awful stubborn. I once took some friends to the Chimneys in the Park, and saw some goofus put food on top of his car so the bear would get close enough for him to take a picture of it! Needleass to say, he had a huge dent in his car and I've never seen anyone roll up their windows so fast! What really struck me though, was how fast the bears ran back up the hill. They were gone in a second. Didn't ever realize they were so quick. Good luck, I hope the bears find another place to dine.

-- Annie (mistletoe@kconline.com), November 26, 2001.

Around here they will live trap the bear and relocate it. Bear deterrent? Some dogs are good, but it's a lot easier to just reduce the attractions. Otherwise the dogs are just an obstacle to what the bear really wants. Burn or otherwise dispose of smelly garbage. Pick all the fruit on your trees and process it. If you have beehives, it will be really hard to protect them. I would not worry about the bear actually eating you. As far as I can tell, having lived in bear country (with grizzlies) for years, bears tend to be more of a scavenger. Sure they would eat something if it's available, like a dog on a chain or a goat in a pen, but as far exerting a lot of energy towards that end, they would rather have an easy meal, like deer guts or garbage or fruit trees- or beehives full of honey.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), November 26, 2001.

if you decide to shoot them, you may want to contact Bonnie she is the moderator for the bear & boar hunting forum at hunt chat. she is a real sweet lady she also is a pro guide in TN. she has some real good dogs (including a great leopard dog). the second half of the bear season is coming up so you should be okay.

-- Pops (pops762@hotmail.com), November 27, 2001.

I don't know how big the property is, but an electric fence (hot wire) around the perimiter or at least around the immediate lawn/home area is a good start. Thick hide or not, hair won't stop(to my current knowledge) electricity. Also some flood lights on a motion sensor for the outer areas & garbage or other possible feeding areas, while haveing a lower (not as bright so it won't keep you awake at night) level light(but on constant) for around the home area set on a timer (on at dusk off at dawn). Nothing is fool proof or guarenteed, but at least it might make the bears leary of comming around your place.

Good luck. I hope they catch the problem bear(s) soon & that no one gets hurt.

animalfarms

-- animalfarms (jawjlewis@netzero.net), November 28, 2001.