I can only second what Kelly recommends below. Other postings have
suggested (1) noise aversion (it works for the first few times, and then
only when you are at home) and (2) removing feeders at night (again, works
for a short time, then the bears learn to come during the day, even at high
noon, even when you are sitting next to your bird feeder).

If you are in bear country (and increasingly the suburbs are all within
range) the only reliable solution is to suspend feeding during the months
when bears are active (March through November). One of our local bears was
checking out our deck just last evening, so they are still out and about
this year. By checking out, I mean he came up a few steps onto a raised
deck, within 10 feet of a glass slider, in full view of humans and a large
dog. There was no bird food present, but clearly this guy remembered that
he had found some there last spring. They are increasingly NOT afraid - a
situation which does not bode well for the bear.

Please help the bears. Do not feed when they are active.

Janet Ray
Preston, WA

-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly Cassidy [mailto:lostriver at completebbs.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2005 9:12 AM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Bears vs Feeders

If you have bears, it's really not a good idea to have bird feeders AT ALL.
Bad news for the bird feeders. Even worse for the bears, who learn that
people = food. Eventually, the bear will be shot.

Also, in bear country, no pet food or garbage left outside, and no compost
piles with anything except leaves and other yard debris.

Kelly Cassidy
Pullman, WA
mailto:lostriver at completebbs.com