View Full Version : What to do!
bluesky
06-09-2009, 05:58 AM
I have 8 nana trees, one that has fruit on it. They are all outside in pots and quite heavy. Now also I have a 300-350 lb bear that has found them. Are they safe? Does anyone have ideas to deter the bear? He/she has been playing with the leaves...swiping at it. Went to take pics of it but it was only 4 ft in front of me with only a glass door between us, it was alittle unerving to say the least...the pic didnt turn out well. I love animals and includes bears...but I dont want to incourage it either! The pots are way to heavy for just me to try and move. But it is having a really playful time with them! He will be back again today....not sure what to do! Any suggestions? If anything I guess I could just bring in a pup incase he destroys my trees, then just start over but taht would be a shame.
lorax
06-09-2009, 06:54 AM
Good luck. I was never able to find a good way to deter bears in the garden when I was in Canada. He/she likely doesn't recognize the bananas as food, which is a good thing! If he/she did, you'd be set for life with a big ursine friend around fruiting time.
I'd bring in at least the pups as a precaution, and go talk to your local fish and wildlife office about their methods of bear deterral. They may even suggest that they come to your yard, tranquilize your bear, and move him/her further into the wild - bears and cities are not a good combination.
Here, when I'm growing bananas on the edges of bear habitat, I find that they eat the pups and leave the fruit alone. Then again, I have veggie-bears (Tremarctos ornatus; they mainly eat bamboo), nothing like the brown / black omnivorous monsters you're dealing with.
http://www.humanbearconflict.org/images/species-andean.jpg
bluesky
06-09-2009, 07:16 AM
How close were you when you took that picture? I have my camera ready, plus pans to bang together to try and scare him/her. But what really concerns me, he wasnt afraid or intimadated with 3 dogs barking (they were inside) he just kept walking around and around my nanas and other plants. He was no farther away than 4-5 feet with the glass door between us. Waiting to see before I call the game comission if it might be a she and have little ones around. I think they whould be old enough to be on their own but I dont want to take chances either.
lorax
06-09-2009, 07:23 AM
I was about 10' from the bear, but Andean spectacled bears are very peaceful critters. I don't have any fear of them.
justjoan
06-09-2009, 07:45 AM
That is scary! Time to notify the authorities, what is the population of your town, I would call the police first, too close to a home that bear was. We have had the problem here in a community just north of me, one came onto the high school grounds, and this is a heavily populated area. They would possibly call DNR to come and trap the bear. Good Luck
Bluesky , take it from me. A 350 lb black bear will not even think twice about a couple of large dogs hounding it if they have something on their mind so don't think dogs will help even slightly. If it's a female with cubs, bite the bullet and take your plants in until she stops coming around. Unless you can prove that it's been causing serious damage fish and game won't help you much. Are you in a rural area? If you are some of the farmers may be allowed to take it with a permit. Keep us posted. If you keep any food source including your trash containers inside it will go away soon enough.
bluesky
06-09-2009, 08:29 AM
Thank you for all the info. I live in a town that has...maybe 200 people, that about it! We dont even have a stop sign here lol
Neighbors have had their bird feeders and suet feeders out then my compost bin, that didnt help any.
The bear can have any of the rest of my fruiting plants and trees....just NOT the nanas and my alpine strawberry plants, thats where I draw the line!
I've only lived here for 2 years and all the neighbors have said that a bear will come around at night sometimes but I think this one is making a home here! i will try later to post a pic of what I did get. But it is a cheap camera, and I was ...shaking alittle.
Bears will come around anytime. I've only seen one in the dark walking in to deer hunt. Ive seen lots during the day. This time of year too, sightings occur because the mothers will start to give their young the "brush off" so it hopefully be something to do with that and will be temporary. Putting your bigger pots on dollies to make them easier to move in and out might be a good option to save your naners.
If you still have a problem by October feel free to PM me and I will take care of it in November during the season.
Patty in Wisc
06-09-2009, 11:17 AM
How about loud rap music? Our animal control told me to do that when I started having a problem w/ raccoons & possum.
Put a speaker out & when you see the bear, blast it!
bluesky
06-09-2009, 11:41 AM
Now thats a cool idea Patty! I have speakers that would be good for that...I love the idea! Just a few minutes ago I talked with one guy that works next door with the township and he told me last night that 2 smaller bears were seen in my yard.
Patty in Wisc
06-09-2009, 02:25 PM
Great!! And turn that bass up! :ha::ha::ha: Heavy metal is good too...something with lots of drumming, screaming, & loud cymbols. Maybe, bright lites too.
I can't wait to see some pics.
alpha010
06-09-2009, 06:52 PM
Big LOL at patty! The bear is probably there BECAUSE of the dogs. I wouldn't think twice about calling game commission. You might not know it is there and the second you let the dogs out or take them for a walk.....it's there. My grandfather had a hard time with small black/brown bears coming in from Penn to the farmhouse he was living at and eating the dogs and chickens. Yes, if hungry enough, and if it feels its an easy target, a dog of any size is a meal. Usually more with black bears than brown. Brown bears usually ruined the currants and blackberries.
Good Luck!
Shaggy
bluesky
06-09-2009, 07:11 PM
Yes, can be very dangerous this time of year.
bepah
06-09-2009, 08:34 PM
The best bear deterrent I know of is a dose of lead applied at extreme velocity in the most accessible vital organ.
They are not endangered species and your safety is being threatened.....
Patty in Wisc
06-10-2009, 10:09 AM
I agree with John. That would be the thing to do for me. IF you CAN'T shoot them, do anything to scare them away...noise, brite lites, blast of water from hose....or PM Bob
LilRaverBoi
06-10-2009, 12:50 PM
How about loud rap music? Our animal control told me to do that when I started having a problem w/ raccoons & possum.
Put a speaker out & when you see the bear, blast it!
LOL....you just need a motion-activated light and speakers that will play this song really loud!
YouTube - Bana Nah Nah Nah - The Banana Rap Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDlQm5jFL50)
If that doesn't drive em off, I don't know what will! :ha: :ha: :ha:
bluesky
06-10-2009, 07:19 PM
If i did that...I'd give myself a heart attack in the middle of the night lol
I do like the idea of calling Bob :)
The Hollyberry Lady
06-10-2009, 11:47 PM
Wow Lorax - cool pic!
Not cool though that some people are having problems with them.
: (
bluesky
06-11-2009, 06:46 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=18158&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=18158&perpage=12&sort=1&ppuser=804)
I really hope this pic comes through. All the stuff there was where I was working on my plants. The pic isnt clear...i was shaking!
The Hollyberry Lady
06-11-2009, 10:41 AM
Don't blame ya - I would have been shaking too!
: O
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