It’s Spring so Bear With Me

Well, that was a hiatus. I’ve got some fun updates though. We’ve started ramping up getting ready to make our final move from the city to the country which is really exciting. The move won’t be for a few months yet but we just keep checking off big things on the house so it’s moving in the right direction and we’ve got no indication that we’re not on time for a July move-in.

We had a good week with trail cameras last week and what we found on ours should likely be a reminder to others. As we’ve left winter and are fully in spring now…our furry and feathered friends are all going to be a lot more active.

We saw it in deer, coyote, chipmunks, possums, raccoons, birds, and bears; every species that frequents or flows through our property was awake and moving. Sometimes at all hours of the day. The bears were a particular treat since we have only caught them once on camera. We were really surprised to see them. They appear to be a little skinny at the moment and just really on the move. Likely scoping out where to forage and what might be available already.

Bears haven’t been out of hibernation for real long so they’re cranky and hungry. Avoid putting yourself on the menu with a few tips.

• Keep pets leashed up if they don’t have good recall. If you’re on a public trail they should be leashed regardless for the safety of everyone involved. Fear makes perfectly good boys and girls make perfectly stupid choices. Keep your pets leashed up for control.
• Make noise as you’re hiking down trails. For the most part black bears are like big raccoons, they don’t want to be bothered and we’re nothing if not a bother. If you don’t look or sound appealing chances are a bear would rather avoid you. Be loud.
• Be alert! As I said before I look at black bears like raccoons: they want easy non-dangerous calories…but what if they have babies with them. Keeping your eyes open helps you better assess a situation. You want to know if the bear has company cuz you do not want to be backing away and accidentally put yourself between a mama bear and her cubs.
• If the bear is keeping its distance: keep calm and don’t run. You don’t want to get their prey drive going. Make a lot of noise and make yourself big! Back away slowly while still facing the bear but do avoid eye contact.
• Bring bear spray. Look, I hope you won’t need it and if you follow the other four previous tip you likely won’t, but better safe than sorry.