News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
March 28, 2005
Phone: (603) 271-3211
Email: info@wildlife.state.nh.us
For information and online licenses, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us

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CONTACT:
Rob Calvert: (603) 223-6832 
Andrew Timmins: (603) 788-3164 
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
March 28, 2005 


DON'T LET YOUR BIRD FEEDER BECOME A BEAR FEEDER!

CONCORD, N.H. -- Don't let your bird feeder turn into a bear feeder, 
warns New Hampshire Fish and Game Wildlife Damage Specialist Rob Calvert. 
As soon as the snow goes, bears leave their dens and begin feeding 
heavily on any available food to replenish fat reserves depleted during the 
long denning period. Homeowners should take action now to reduce the 
chances of a bear visiting their home this spring. 

"We can be assured that bears will be hungry as they emerge from their 
dens this spring, because New Hampshire has experienced very poor food 
production during the past two years," Calvert said. The mast failure 
during 2003 and 2004 may cause bears to be in poorer condition this 
spring than normal. Additionally, the leftover beechnuts and acorns on the 
forest floor that bears typically rely on for their early spring foods, 
before vegetation greens up, will be scarce. 

Although productivity and survival of bears may have been reduced 
during the past two years, the statewide population is considered relatively 
stable -- thanks to careful management by Fish and Game -- and 
currently approximates 5,000 bears, according to Fish and Game Bear Project 
Leader Andrew Timmins. 

You can avoid conflicts with our wild New Hampshire neighbors - 
especially bears -- by taking a few simple precautions:
  * Stop all bird feeding by April 1, or as soon as snow melts.
  * Clean up any spilled birdseed and dispose of it in the trash.
  * Secure all garbage in airtight containers inside a garage or 
adequate storage area, and put garbage out on the morning of pickup.
  * Avoid putting meat or other food scraps in your compost pile.
  * Don't leave pet food dishes outside overnight.
  * Properly clean and store outdoor grills after each use.
  * Finally, never intentionally feed bears!

These steps will help to ensure that your backyard does not become 
attractive to bears and other wildlife, which is important for two reasons: 
it prevents property damage by bears and keeps bears from becoming 
nuisance animals. By minimizing bear/human conflicts, we can coexist with 
these magnificent animals even as New Hampshire becomes more developed. 
There is some truth to the adage that "a fed bear is a dead bear." Once 
habituated to human food sources in your backyard, some destructive 
"nuisance" bears may need to be destroyed. 

For more information on preventing conflicts with black bears, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Somethings_Bruin.htm. People 
with questions about bear-related problems can get advice by calling a 
toll-free number coordinated jointly by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's Wildlife Services and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department: 
1-888-749-2327 (1-888-SHY-BEAR).

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Copyright 2004 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.