Henry Raymond

Fairfax News => Current News & Events => Topic started by: Henry on September 21, 2013, 06:53:05 PM

Title: He's Back
Post by: Henry on September 21, 2013, 06:53:05 PM
These pictures were taken this afternoon at around 5:15 PM, the same time he was here yesterday.

Skip

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum2013/100_2349.jpg)

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum2013/100_2350.jpg)

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum2013/100_2351.jpg)

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum2013/100_2352s.jpg)

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum2013/100_2353s.jpg)

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum2013/100_2354s.jpg)

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum2013/100_2355s.jpg)

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum2013/100_2356.jpg)

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum2013/100_2357.jpg)

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum2013/100_2358.jpg)

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum2013/100_2359.jpg)
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: al brodeur on September 21, 2013, 07:43:17 PM
where in Fairfax is this?
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: rod anode on September 22, 2013, 03:26:46 AM
yes inquireing minds want to know?
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: Rev. Elizabeth on September 22, 2013, 05:56:19 AM
He is a handsome creature, indeed!
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: Judi on September 22, 2013, 11:57:10 AM
Quote from: al brodeur on September 21, 2013, 07:43:17 PM
where in Fairfax is this?

About 1/2 mile up on Shepardon Hollow Road from River Rd. entrance.
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: ohhman on September 22, 2013, 12:15:24 PM
I know someone who could take care of him if he becomes a problem; it would look good next to the one already on the wall!
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: cassyt on September 22, 2013, 01:12:14 PM
    Great pictures keep the doors close and pets in.He looks well fed.
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: rod anode on September 22, 2013, 03:53:28 PM
3plusk my thoughts exactly
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: KLL on September 22, 2013, 04:20:55 PM
He/She is making the rounds. Up the hill from Skip, bear took down 2 of our feeders 9/19 so we
emptied our other ones. That wasn't good enough as bear came back both Fri and Sat looking
for more. I'd say we have a nuisance bear in Fairfax!
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: Norton on September 22, 2013, 07:45:29 PM

Quote
Our squirrel baffle did not keep this guy from helping himself to an afternoon snack in our backyard

Quote
a rubbermaid container with a top on it, containing about 30 pounds of birdseed, was gone

Quote
bear took down 2 of our feeders


Isn't the cause of the problem obvious?  Is there any need to feed squirrels or birds this time of year?

There are folks volunteering to shoot it once it has been baited into the back yard.  Is that fair to the bear?  Or "sporting"?
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: Norton on September 22, 2013, 07:59:57 PM

This is from the Vermont Dept of Fish and Wildlife website:

People love to see the Eastern Black Bear in its natural surroundings. But when bears venture into human territory, problems can occur. Often, bears pay the price. Bears can get all the food they need from the forests, but they are opportunists. This means they eat whatever food they can find most easily. When a chance for easy food presents itself, bears take advantage of it. People often encourage bears to come out of the forest by providing food without realizing it. Once bears become used to these food sources and come into frequent human contact, people sometimes call them "nuisance bears." But, they are just being bears! Some of the most common sources of food provided by people that attract bears are: pet food, bird feeders, barbecue grills, garbage, household trash containers, open dumpsters, and campsites with accessible food and food wastes.

Here's what you can do to keep from attracting bears out of their forest habitat. Never feed bears, deliberately or accidentally. Feed your pets indoors. Feed birds from December to March only. Store trash in a secure place-trash cans alone are not enough! People need to remember that bears are wild animals. Everyone is better off when bears stay in their natural habitat-the forest. People love to see the Eastern Black Bear in its natural surroundings. But when bears venture into human territory, problems can occur. Often, bears pay the price. Bears can get all the food they need from the forests, but they are opportunists. This means they eat whatever food they can find most easily. When a chance for easy food presents itself, bears take advantage of it. People often encourage bears to come out of the forest by providing food without realizing it. Once bears become used to these food sources and come into frequent human contact, people sometimes call them "nuisance bears." But, they are just being bears! Some of the most common sources of food provided by people that attract bears are: pet food, bird feeders, barbecue grills, garbage, household trash containers, open dumpsters, and campsites with accessible food and food wastes.

Here's what you can do to keep from attracting bears out of their forest habitat. Never feed bears, deliberately or accidentally. Feed your pets indoors. Feed birds from December to March only. Store trash in a secure place-trash cans alone are not enough! People need to remember that bears are wild animals. Everyone is better off when bears stay in their natural habitat-the forest.


Hunting bears with the use of bait is prohibited

Hunters may not use bait or a baited area to take bear.  A “baited area” is defined as an area where meat, carrion or any other substances capable of luring or attracting bear has been has been placed or deposited.

It is illegal to shoot a bear that is visiting a bird feeder.

It is illegal to feed bears.
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: ohhman on September 22, 2013, 09:01:20 PM
Sorry Norton, I disagree with you in that many of us chose to feed birds, thus giving us & the little children we care for something to watch, learn what they are & study their ways.  Yes, we have begun to invade wild animals territory as we continue to build home for people, but that will happen regardless if we feed the birds/squirrels.  Unfortunately, other critters will seek this food & I do not feel what Skip is doing is to bait them at all! I just offered if it becomes a problem, I know of a very responsible young man that can/will take care of the problem.  And just as an FYI, it IS bear season right now.  And also for the record, the one my son shot a few years back that is beautifully mounted, was NOT baited!
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: Norton on September 22, 2013, 10:00:37 PM

3plusk, I didn't mean to imply that your bear was baited.  I apologize if it sounded like that.

Yes, it's bear season.  And it's illegal to shoot bears at a bird feeder.  And if you look at the definition of "baited area" given above, I think it's clear that going up to Skip's back yard and killing the bear that has been attracted there by food is illegal, even if the food was placed there to attract birds.  If you think it's "responsible" kill wildlife illegally, I guess that's your opinion.

Leaving food out is the main reason for bears in people's yards, even if the intent is to feed other animals.  To me, it seems reasonable to follow the Fish & Wildlife advice I quoted to minimize the bear problem. 
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: KLL on September 23, 2013, 09:41:18 AM
Agreed, we try to be responsible and usually stop putting out bird food by October, so we were surprised to see a bear
this early. Hopefully others will put away bird food, etc. to discourage this bear, I'd hate for anything drastic happen to it.
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: mkr on September 24, 2013, 07:57:34 AM
Agreed KLL the bears are a bit early.  Dad has his bird feeder down as well now.
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: Thor on September 25, 2013, 06:34:05 AM
This seems to remind me of something else. Bear used to work to support himself. Then gets a taste of the freebie system. Bear begins to transition to part time work for himself and still taking advantage of the freebies. Ultimately, the bear decides that the freebies are much easier on his daily routine and gives up work, so that others can support him. NOW he is a problem to some folks, while others try to figure out what to do. We can't deny him his freebies, as he is now accustomed to them. But we cannot eliminate him either. Oh the moral dilemmas. What do we do with the parasitic bear, who is more than capable of fending for himself, but no longer wants to do that and just wants society to support him? Watch out, he soon may ask for some help with his lodging this winter.... may not be big enough, may not be warm enough, perhaps he would like to have assistance in relocating to a somewhat warmer climate. And who knows what bird feed will do to his system, we better give him free health care. And perhaps free legal advice so he can sue the people who put that unhealthy bird food out there in their yards, where he illegally gained access, but is now the victim.

I know I have seen this play out somewhere, but for the life of me, I cannot recall where. Oh well.
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: Rev. Elizabeth on September 25, 2013, 09:12:53 AM
Gotcha, Thor!  Now, let's just let the bear be the bear!! (lol)
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: 7F24 on September 25, 2013, 10:34:00 AM
The bear will continue to eat without the assistance of the feeders.  Why should he turn down an easy meal, he doesn't know the feeders aren't for him.
Title: Re: He's Back
Post by: Henry on September 27, 2013, 10:35:31 AM
I was telling some of my old retired IBM friends about Skip's bear and he sent me back the following note:  (Don't believe everything he says in it)

Be careful of that bear............ they are all over Greensboro also.  To the extent that the local mom/pop stores have flyers posted warning to be on the look out for them as they are getting really brave around homes.  A little trivia from one of the local hunters up here.  A bear will go back 21 days in a row to a place it has found food.  Not sure of the truth to it, but we don't want to test it at our house.  My feeders are in to the recommended Nov 30th date.  Last year, I took a lot of pictures as a bear knocked down nine bird feeders in my yard.  I would go out on the deck and make noise, the bear would run off in the woods with a bird feeder and be back in ten minutes for a refill.  It got to the point I would make all kinds of noise on the deck as he was knocking down a feeder and he actually would lay down on the lawn, eat the bird seed and look at me .....like get lost buddy, stop the noise, I am eating.  He would knock down a thistle feeder smell it and leave it alone.  Guess they don't like the thistle, so you may be OK with yours.   
 
Thanks, take care, Wayne