Vermont: Remove Bird Feeders To Avoid Tempting Bears

April 25, 2008 -- WATERBURY, VT - Vermont's black bears have emerged from their winter dens and are looking for springtime food sources. If you have been feeding birds, you can help prevent the bears from getting into trouble by removing your bird feeders now according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

Black bear: Photo by Jean-Guy Dallaire (CC)

"We are getting reports of bears getting into bird feeders," said Fish & Wildlife’s Col. Robert Rooks. "We are urging people to help by removing any food sources that may tempt the bears."

"We are asking people to stop feeding birds from April through late October," added Rooks. "Also, don't leave pet food outside, wash down your barbecues when done, and secure your garbage containers. And above all, never purposely leave food out for bears. Feeding bears may seem kind, but it is almost a sure death sentence for the them."

"Help keep bears wild," said Rooks. "We care about these bears as much as anyone. Having to destroy one that has become a threat to human safety is not a pleasant experience, and we know that moving them to another location doesn't change their behavior. They continue to seek food near people because they have learned that it works."

Rooks also points out that Vermont law prohibits a person from killing a bear that has been attracted to a bird feeder. The fine for doing so can be as high as $1,000.

Bears often eat seeds in the wild, so a birdfeeder chock full of high-energy seed is a concentrated source of what a bear considers natural food. And they are smart. Once they learn to raid birdfeeders, they will be back for more, often escalating their behavior to obtain food.

To learn about black bears, go to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) and look in the Library section for the Black Bear Factsheet.

Source: Vermont Agency of Natural Resources

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