LIVING WITH BEARS

I Hunting in Bear Country I Bears in Your Neighborhood I Bears at Your Campsite I Bears at Your Deer Feeder I
I Bears at Your Beehive I Bears at Your Crops or Livestock Pens I Bears and Roads I Bears and Garbage I
I Feeding Bears I Management of Nuisance Bear Behavior I Aversive Conditioning I Encounters with Bears I

The seasonal abundance of natural foods such as berries and acorns will not necessarily deter black bears from taking advantage of food options provided by humans. When you are using supplemental feeding as part of a deer management program, planting of food plots with cereal grains such as wheat, oats or ryegrass is the best alternative for avoiding conflicts with black bears. Using feeders in white-tailed deer management can potentially cause conflicts between black bears and humans.

Whole kernel corn is the most common type of grain for feeding white-tailed deer. Distributing corn or other grains in piles on the ground or in open feeders ("free feeding") is not only costly in terms of the amount needed, but also invites problems where black bears regularly occur. Free feeding provides a reliable food source, making conflicts unavoidable. Large amounts of corn left in an open environment are not usually consumed in time to prevent souring. The odor of sour grain is an excellent bear attractant because of their keen sense of smell. Switching bait types from preferred bear foods like corn to less attractive foods like soybeans or rice bran can also help reduce bear activity at bait sites. The distribution of grain in smaller amounts by "controlled feeding," via timed feeding mechanisms, is a more cost-effective means of providing supplemental feed for white-tailed deer.

When you are using direct feeding of corn and other grains, controlled feeding devices hung in the proper manner will eliminate many problems that occur when black bear and white-tailed deer are found in the same area. Many types of timed feeding mechanisms exist, varying from homemade rigs to more elaborate electrical devices available at many feed stores or hunting supply outlets. Whatever design is used, method of placement is the most critical factor in avoiding black bear confrontations. The agility and resourcefulness of black bears require that any type of feeding device be suspended out of their reach. It is recommended that the base of any hanging feeder be at least 8 feet above the ground; additionally, the top should be at least 4 feet from the attachment point. Feeder tops should be tightly sealed. To prevent climbing bears from pulling feeders to within their reach, small diameter cables should be used for suspension of the feeder.