Grin and Bear it

[953 nut 59,116]

 

 

It’s a ‘beary’ good day to celebrate National Black Bear Day on June 7 this year, which has been observed each year on the first Saturday in June for the sole pur-‘paws’ of teaching people about black bears and dispelling the myths surrounding them. This was the last pun, we promise. Just bear with us.

Bears inhabited practically every continent when humans first made their way to North America. The grizzlies actually thrived in all western states, from Mexico to the tip of Alaska. The smaller black bear, a relative to the grizzly, was living in places as far-ranging as the Atlantic and the Pacific in North America, and Mexico to the northern edge of the continent. Since the black bear was a valuable source of thick hides for clothing and shelter, rich meat, and sweet fat for the Native Americans, we can see why they valued it and passed on the stories of these bears through their oral folktales.

The black bear can be found in 41 of the 50 U.S. states, at an estimated number of 800,000.

According to black bear biologist Colleen Olfenbuttel, North Carolina has the largest black bears on the planet, probably because they have access to high protein crops and enjoy mild winters.

A day dedicated to the black bear is an amazing way to build awareness about this animal, its history, and how our actions impact it. The more we learn, the more we can help to conserve this gift from nature so future generations can enjoy it too.

 

 

[ebinmaine 71,743]

Beautiful animals, these.  

 

We've seen quite a few up here both at home and out in the wild.  

 

Around Maine a black bear is very docile. Not to be feared.  

 

 

My "Bear" nickname was originally because of snoring but my me size fits the bill too.  Less so, now....

[peter lena 9,184]

@ p53 @953 nut  fortunately  for us , the only black bears in the state areas are  well north of us , favor much  more open  areas , seen many bears out west , montana , utah , colorado , alaska , those are quite terrifying , realise they can run down a horse , kill it and eat entirely  in a few days . you quickly sense up your , zone of  space , and you just freeze. similar is  close contact to a  mountain lion , incredible stealty , movement , initially walked  around  ranch , till I was warned , to favor , truck , or  visibly  clean / clear intended  area, another one is being  in a truck and having the heard buffalo , very slowly walk around it , never  have eye contact with it in any way , no challenge , no sound , would quickly turn that  f 350 into a garbage can . just sayin , pete  

[953 nut 59,116]

We live in the woods, it is their home and we have invaded it. Western North Carolina has its share of wildlife and we do have an occasional bear visit. These pictures were taken from my wife's sewing room window.

[adsm08 2,933]

We get one around here now and again. A few years ago the local paper ran a story about them using security camera pictures of one getting into the trash two houses up from me.

[Darb1964 1,109]

The Berkshires of Massachusetts is literally over run with black bears. They have been breaking into garages, Barnes, and even homes for food. We had one break into our barn last fall and take one of my wife's goats. I see photos of bears in peoples yards every day on Facebook, many with multiple cubs. We put up electric fence and installed electronic motion activated dog barking devices, that has worked so far. The state starting this fall is opening the season from September until mid December, they started allowing the harvest of bears in the shotgun deer season several years ago but they still seem to be increasing. I thought that would knock them down but not that many get taken during that season. I think it's too late in the year, it opens the Monday after Thanksgiving. I've personally taken bear years ago, but they aren't my favorite for eating. I did add it to venison ground and it was good. I will take one this year if given the opportunity just to help keep the numbers down.

[Ed Kennell 41,275]

My sister loves to watch her birds and has many feeders.    My BIL has to put them out every morning and take them down every night.   Miss one night and the bears destroy them all.   

[HyperPete 787]

7 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

My sister loves to watch her birds and has many feeders.    My BIL has to put them out every morning and take them down every night.   Miss one night and the bears destroy them all.   

 

Barrs?  Thank goodness we don't have any barrs here!  Just those pesky 'coons!

[adsm08 2,933]

24 minutes ago, HyperPete said:

Just those pesky 'coons!

 

Them's good eatin, and good head wear.

[Beap52 1,330]

Apparently, bears are a problem on my model rail road as the warning below is predominantly posted.

[Treepep 656]

 

 

 

Locals tell me there are black bears and red wolves here.  I haven't put eyes on them so.. I don't know.  I have been scary close to black bears and black beavers in Minnesota when fishing and camping.  

[953 nut 59,116]

16 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

My sister loves to watch her birds and has many feeders.    My BIL has to put them out every morning and take them down every night.   Miss one night and the bears destroy them all.   

Out bears apparently never got the memo about being nocturnal, when they are in the area you will see then inn broad daylight. 

[ebinmaine 71,743]

9 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Out bears apparently never got the memo about being nocturnal, when they are in the area you will see then inn broad daylight. 

Same here

[Ed Kennell 41,275]

Most of our wild bear avoid people and their space unless there is food available.   Cat food, dog food, and bird food is all bear food and if it is available, the bears will find it and that is when they lose their fear of humans and become tame nuisance bears.    It is illegal to feed a wild bear here in Pa.

[HyperPete 787]

1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said:

 It is illegal to feed a wild bear here in Pa.