Black Bears

[HorseGirl31]

Does anybody know anything about black bears? I have ducks and rabbits, and a 2mo. lamb soon to be outside. We had a black bear sighting 3 miles away from us, and it has me scared! Would one come after any of my animals? Thank you!

[snoozy]

Black bears are mainly vegetarian and generally people-shy. Don't worry. More likely to raid your fruit trees at night. Coyotes, eagles and raccoons are the ones who will go for your ducks and rabbits

[Fourthistles]

I don't know where you live, but around here black bears are opportunists. This are attracted by easy food: they will raid your garbage cans, dog food dishes, bird feeders, etc. first. They are more scavengers than predators. However, bears who become accustomed to humans get very aggressive and have been known to go through screendoors into kitchens looking for food.

[Bearfootfarm]

They normally aren't a problem if they haven't had a lot of contact with people.

[Danaus29]

When bear get ready to hibernate they eat a lot of protein. Anything they can catch is fair game. They also vary in their habits according to which part of the country they are in. In areas where there are also grizzly bears, the black is generally more people shy. In the east where there are no grizzly, there have been increasing reports of black bear attacking and killing people. I wouldn't panic over it but I would be cautious and watch your surroundings. Keep your place spotlessly cleaned of all food containers and refuse. Lock your garbage cans in a building until trash day. Make your animals less easy to get to. Hot wire helps as will firecrakers tossed at a bear you see approaching.

Black bear have a large home range. It has likely already checked you out.
http://www.americanbear.org/Habitat%...me%20Range.htm

[Just Cliff]

We had a bear siting a half mile from my farm the other day. I didn't know about it for for a few days after, I found myself looking over my shoulder a bit now while out working. I know they are usually nothing to worry about but, if it's a mama bear and a cub is nearby, I don't think I would fare so well.

[Old Vet]

Where I live there are many black bears. One sow raises her cubs on the hill across the road. They have been no problem here but my neighbors have had problem with them getting into the freezer and eating every thing in it. That is what is called a nuisance bear and the game and fish people dump them around here. They trap them elsewhere and bring them here to turn loose. They don't last long before they find a home in somebody freezer. If you called the game warden here and complained abut the bears you will not find anybody that cares at all.

[Micahn]

Around here black bears (Ocala NF. Florida) Will kill and eat anything that they can it seems. The people next door lost 35 chickens last year but they did not take any of their goats even the young ones. I am told the people down the street lost some animals including a dog to them in the last year.
We personally do not have any animals right now as we have not lived here long and do not want them yet.
But when we do get a dog it will be one that can hold it's own with a black bear or any of the large cats around here (Bobcats as well as panthers) as well as the coyotes.
The thing here is they do not always hibernate so we can have them year round.
The wife seen one next door coming out of a tree a few days ago. The guy down the street a few houses said he had a mom with cubs in his yard the other day.

Anyway I would not trust them not to harm your animals. Like others said they will take it where they can find it if given a chance. A electric fence seems to keep them out good I am told.

[dezingg]

I heard from a rancher who had trouble with bears eating his pigs' food. Didn't bother the pigs any.
Bears in your area might behave differently.

[ronbre]

generally no..they are pretty harmless unless of course you are a bird feeder or compost bin..we have black bears in our woods

[Lyra]

Right now is the time when the mothers are pushing out the sons so you should see more juvenile smaller males wandering around. Here in PA, black bears are mainly shy and vegetarian. I would suggest keeping an eye on the animals, kids, and any garbage containers that you leave out. I don't know if you have ever seen one, but they are powerful and really fast.

[Timberline]

Last June a bear got into my barn, tore out a center divider and killed and ate 4 goat kids. He then went and tore up a chicken coop and some beehives not far from here. The Division of Wildlife placed a trap at the beehives and caught the bear. He was destroyed. This was the 3rd offense for this bear, he was out of chances.

We've lived here for over 20 years and see bears every year. Last year was the first time we've had any problems. It was an old male that was in bad condition. He was desperate for food.

Generally they cause no problem, but when they do, it usually a BIG problem.
Good luck and be careful.

[Honorine]

In my part of PA we have grizzly sized black bears, 700-800 lb bears have been harvested here since the 80's. Our problem is that they stopped the bear hunt over in New Jersey about three years ago, so now they trap and drop all their problem bears over here. Such a bear, young one, was killing stock all around my area, climbed a 6 foot kennel panel, dropped on my rabbits and had himself a snack. Didn't have chickens at the time. When said bear was shot in the hunting season here he had two tags, one from NJ and one from PA. He was easy to id because of the tags and because so many had seen him up close in daylight, he had no fear of humans. Thats what I fear most, the young stupid bears that are really hungry.