Wow!

Woohoo! I would literally crap my pants if I saw that big guy wander into my yard.

I'm glad you were able to feed him Lynn! LOL

Get rid of the feeders and the bears will usually leave you alone. We have lots of bears and they are real troublmakers. We can't have bird feeders anymore. My DD had 2 bears in her little yard and she lives in the middle of town. They finally had to come in and live trap one of the bears that just would not leave. Every morning when her BF went to work, he'd find the bear laying between their two cars. He would have to chase it off before he could leave. That's the one that they live trapped.

What are the weather around you? Dry? or building houses? In 17 years only to have 3 it could be an eviromental thing. Usually animals will roam for food and/or water. Just be careful and you may have to remove the bird feeders/food and ask your wild life people what to spray around the yard to discourage this vistor to look further--like your house.

Jasdip!!! LOL!

I am afraid of bears too.

I'm not so sure I would be as calm as you. I think I'm more on the wave length as jasdip.

Through the years, we have had black bears visit us. We even had a family live on our land--mama, papa, and 3 cubs. They are fun to watch, but they can be a problem. They have come up on our porches; gone into our shed and taken things out; and come knocking at our door late at night.

As much as we hated to do it, we had to stop putting food out. We had been feeding birds, squirrels, deer, etc. for years, but because the bears became so bold, we no longer put any food at all out. Shortly after we stopped the feeding, a law was passed here to make it illegal to feed wild animals--heavy fines are imposed because of the dangers.

Even though it might be scary, I think it is a wonderful, awesome experience. I would love living where the wild is close and feel safe :o)

Awesome pictures but I don't think my heart could take it!

One year I just read about one that had been seen close to the cabin and got spooked-lol!

Wow! I'd be afraid though.

Smallest? I don't want to think what the others looked like!

After one of my dogs was killed, I had to stop feeding the birds during the warm months because the seed attracted bears. Apparently (as you can see) they really like it.

When we see one we bring the feeders in, usually there is nothing there at night, which is when we usually see them...dusk and dawn. This fella decided to come for a treat during the day! He didn't frighten me but he startled my yard worker! I was in my office but heard the door open and "Lynn???? BEAR IN YARD!"

This part of PA has drilling going on, in search of natural gas, there are two sites within a couple of miles of us, closer to the reservoir that sits below us. The bears and critters usually live near the reservoir or on the mountain on the other side of the valley. I think the drilling (and all the heavy equipment moving around) is what has made them move to our side.

We had one out by the pool heater on Sunday, he was tagged and was wearing a monitor collar. The huge one that was here in spring also had a monitor collar on but I understand he was relocated. Our neighbor said he saw a small one run thru our top field a few weeks ago but we've not seen him. Combining the unused fields and woods on our property and two neighbors there are probably 100 acres of posted land so wildlife has the right of way around here.

Guess you won't be following the 'advice' I read in our paper today.

"To attract orioles, put a plate of GRAPE JELLY on your deck or porch."

I was thinking 'ants', not 'bears', but really...jelly?

The jelly works but you are right, ants love it too! No, I won't be putting any out! Orange slices nailed to a pole work just as well.

This fella seems to be nearby, the feeders were ripped into between 7am and 10am. So they are all down now, the birds are really mad! Hope they don't take it out on my car! LOL

Have you contacted Fish and Game? Possibly about trapping them out? Also the Ag. department might have something to spray around to discourage them. I know my Dad years ago use to use a air gun to discourage dogs from coming into the yard. Did not hurt them, but since he used it out of sight, they did not know where the sting was coming from. But I think it would not be strong enough for a bear, plus it could make them unhappy. Could you put something in the yard like a compressor to just make noise and run it off and on? Just a thought. If he gets too aggressive he/she might have to be destroyed as they seem to loose their fear of humans and will rip a screen door open. Just be very careful.

Forget to tell you, there is a bear spray you might to keep on hand for an emergency. My DD and family all carry them because of the bear activity in the areas they camp in in CA. Yes it is legal as he is a Park Ranger.

That bear is big! I thought all you had in those Pennsylvania woods was deer!! LOL! You have plenty of them, that's for sure.

Where is this at? One of my DS' lives in Navaree Fl and once in a while a bear shows up on their street/

I'm in Johnstown, PA, Minnie.

Thanks Marie-ndcal, I had not thought of that but we ordered 2 cans tonight.

Thanks