I've been getting reports of bear sightings within a few miles of us last week and last night, so now am wondering if some of the middle of the night barking sessions might be something more than a stray cat or coyote!
Last night's sighting revealed 4 strands of electric fencing surrounding a chicken coop and yard ripped out and bear scat full of corn left behind.
Thinking we need the Maremmas NOW!
Thinking maybe we need to cool it with the composting in the back yard for awhile.
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
6 comments:
Yowzers!
We have had them too. One guy by me heard a racket outside and looked out the door to see a bear trashing his garbage. Then the bear took an ice cream carton in both paws and proceeded to lick out the carton. I don't think they would actually hurt the horses but then again I guess it depends on what kind of bears they are. I had one cross the road in front of my car last week on the way to the farm. And up the road from me a guy hit one with his car. Really damaged the car but the bear rolled down the hill and got up and ran off.
Oh my gosh re: ice cream carton! And rolling down the hill too! We don't generally have more than fleeting sightings around here but it's sounding like they're staying around instead of just passing through.
Have you ever had one nearby while you were out with the herd? I'm curious how horses would react.
I've never seen them on the property at all. I do have more stories though. One guy had trash in his pickup truck bed and a bear and cub were picking through it so he sent his dog out to chase them. The mama bear took the cub into the trees then came back and swatted the dog upside the head and walked off. The hunters in our area had put a few recording cameras up in trees in the woods by us to check on deer. Well one camera caught a bear taking down another camera and proceeding to stomp it and destroy it. Guess they don't like to be spied on. I don't think they're dangerous to the horses but then again I don't want to get close enough to find out.
Wow - amazing stories! We see them when we go to the NC mountains, and I have friends who live in that part of our state who have them around a LOT, as you describe. I can't quite wrap my head around them moving in that way here, but I guess we will get used to it if/when it happens! I guess to a bear a herd of horses is a big scary thing. To me the horses are not scary and the bear is! :)
Matthew, start keeping an eye out for bear scat on the farm!
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