Save a Bear, Remove Bird Feeders

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department wants you to take down your bird feeder to keep from tempting a hungry bear emerging from its winter nap.

In a news release, the department reports bears raiding feeders already.

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

Rooks says a bear attracted to a bird feeder will likely return and could become a nuisance bear that has to be destroyed.

"We care about these bears as much as anyone," Rooks said. "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."

The same thing can be said of leaving pet food, barbacue grills, garbage and other smelly things that attract bears.

"Never purposely leave food out for bears," Rooks said. "Feeding bears may seem kind, but it is almost a sure death sentence for the them. Help keep bears wild."

And if your conservation sense doesn't convince you to do the right thing to prevent a bear problem, Rooks also points out that Vermont law prohibits a person from killing a bear that has been attracted to a bird feeder and a person can be fined up to $1,000 for that.

To learn more about bears, check out the Black Bear fact sheet on the department's Web site at: www.vtfishandwildlife.com.