Does A Bear Hide In The Woods?

September 20, 2021, 09:06 AM

V-Tail

We live in the city of Altamonte Springs. Actually, a couple minute walk to the Orlando city line, so we are definitely NOT in the boonies, much more “city” than rural.

Houses here are pretty close together, but we do have a lot of trees in the development, and a few wooded areas.

About a year ago, a mama bear had two cubs in our woods. Animal Services managed to capture mama and one of the babies and relocated them.

The other cub, now a pretty big guy, evaded capture and still lives here. I got some video (Ring Doorbell) of him sniffing around our front door one night. Neighbors keep posting pictures of him raiding their bird feeders and checking out their garbage cans.

Neighbor three houses south of us posted video yesterday of the bear rolling around on the grass in his back yard, then climbing a tree to take a nap.

September 20, 2021, 09:41 AM

architect

I'd lock up the pick-a-nick baskets if I were you.

September 20, 2021, 09:44 AM

HRK

One of the wifes co-workers lives off Markum Woods Rd, backs up to a natural area, they see bears all the time.

September 20, 2021, 10:36 AM

Pyker

Sometimes they don't bother to hide:

(My back yard)

.

September 20, 2021, 11:27 AM

BBMW

The bears have found they can live quite nicely in close proximity to people.

September 20, 2021, 11:29 AM

ggile

Bears do what they please....

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September 20, 2021, 11:46 AM

ggile

quote:
Originally posted by Pyker:
Sometimes they don't bother to hide:

(My back yard)

That must be comforting.

.

September 20, 2021, 11:47 AM

feersum dreadnaught

my bears pose for pictures (view out the front window - suburban CT).

September 20, 2021, 03:45 PM

HK Ag

Growing up on the third coast I have/will never see a bear in nature. These pictures and stories of bears in your proximity are fascinating.

Tending to have a soft spot for wild animals, if I had bears around I would probably want to feed them.

So let me ask, what is the proper care and maintenance / protocol of wild bears in your proximity? I am guessing it isn't to feed them.

Thanks, HK Ag

September 20, 2021, 04:04 PM

feersum dreadnaught

don't feed. try to keep trash cans in the garage. we have electric horse fence around our bird feeders to keep them out - it works.

take a look in the backyard before letting the dogs out. although my pair of 10-year old, 35 lb cocker spaniels have chased 350 lb bears out of the yard, I'd prefer they not - one swipe and we'd have no dog.

stay the hell out of the space between mama and cubs.

when they start to "chuff" - back away.

September 20, 2021, 04:05 PM

I probably would have run into this sow if I had gone to check the camera's in the field.

These two bears were in the field and one takes a black walnut off the tree.

September 20, 2021, 06:08 PM

Pyker

quote:
Originally posted by HK Ag:
Growing up on the third coast I have/will never see a bear in nature. These pictures and stories of bears in your proximity are fascinating.

Tending to have a soft spot for wild animals, if I had bears around I would probably want to feed them.

So let me ask, what is the proper care and maintenance / protocol of wild bears in your proximity? I am guessing it isn't to feed them.

Thanks, HK Ag

If people feed them, or fail to secure their trash, bird feeders and such, the bears become habituated to humans and to seeking food from humans and start to become a danger. When that happens, DNR either shoots or relocates them.

That's why Yellowstone and other NPs are full of signs that say 'Do NOT feed the bears'.

.

September 21, 2021, 04:35 AM

Broadside

quote:
Originally posted by Pyker:
Sometimes they don't bother to hide:

(My back yard)

.

At least you aren’t worried about two-legged intruders coming through your backyard.

September 21, 2021, 05:42 AM

r0gue

I swear to God, that a few weeks ago, I was leaning against a small retaining wall at my driveway just after dark. I sensed something, looked left, and the head of a black bear was three or four feet away at eye level.. I couldn't even process it for a second. For an instant, I thought maybe it was a pig. Then I ran.

I got my Nitecore TM9k and went back out (because as I had been leaning against the wall, I had also been downing IPAs). Long story short, it'd gotten into my garbage can. And it had two cubs with HER.

I'd upload and link the video, but I was swearing a LOT.

September 21, 2021, 07:49 AM

V-Tail

Video from my Ring Doorbell shows two visitors to my front door at 2:24 am this morning.

They sniffed around, didn't find anything interesting, ambled off toward my neighbor's house.

September 21, 2021, 08:08 AM

lyman

quote:
Originally posted by r0gue:
I swear to God, that a few weeks ago, I was leaning against a small retaining wall at my driveway just after dark. I sensed something, looked left, and the head of a black bear was three or four feet away at eye level.. I couldn't even process it for a second. For an instant, I thought maybe it was a pig. Then I ran.

I got my Nitecore TM9k and went back out (because as I had been leaning against the wall, I had also been downing IPAs). Long story short, it'd gotten into my garbage can. And it had two cubs with HER.

I'd upload and link the video, but I was swearing a LOT.

dayum

I may have soiled myself in that situation

we got lots around here, but they tend to stay in the burbs ,

I have not heard or seen one near my house , ever, (I'm beside a state park)

but I do know some folks that are closer to town that have pics of them walking thru the neighborhood and eating up bird feeders,

they tend to roam down from the mountians, or out of the Dismal swamp a good ways, usually following water