My name isn't Goldilocks

[gerisullivan]

Google Images suggests that my first reaction to the scat I saw at the edge of the yard might well have been spot on. It might not be bear scat; I haven't seen or heard about bears in these particular woods since moving here eight years ago. But it looks enough like the images "bear scat" Google Images search brought up that I wouldn't bet against it being bear until someone more knowledgeable, like batwrangler, says otherwise. I'll take another look at it tomorrow, probably with camera phone in hand.

I already follow the Living with Black Bears food and garbage guidance. If there is a bear hereabouts, I hope the noisy lawnmower convinced it to keep its distance.

Comments

There are black bears

[dragonet2.livejournal.com]

in Massachusetts. The first list I found was where they were EXTINCT.

As long as you know the rules and keep your garage locked, you shouldn't have a problem. 9I have friends who live right outside Rocky Mountain National Park. Since they moved there in 1993, the state conservation department has had to shoot about five bears because they learned to OPEN garage doors.

Re: There are black bears

[lauriemann.livejournal.com]

Not only are there bears in Massachusetts, there's a sign on Route 140 up around Gardner that read "Bear Crossing." It was near another sign I didn't expect to see in Massachusetts, "Moose Crossing."

Pesky Bears

[lakeboy-55.livejournal.com]

We currently have a pesky young black bear in the neighborhood. He's been tearing up compost bins and trash barrels. I've seen him briefly, but I've seen a lot of his scat about. Word of advice, don't ever let your dog role in bear doodoo, ooooh the smell!!!

So far he hasn't been harrassing pets, but we've been trying hard to keep out last remaining kitty indoors at night.

[voidampersand.livejournal.com]

I was hiking once and found some bear scat. There was something about it that just told me it had to be from a bear. Maybe it was the fact that it was wider than the trail. Maybe it was the green swirl of what once was a trash bag. Or maybe it was the white chunks of styrofoam from cup o' soup containers. At least I hope it was a bear. I don't want to think of what other creature would eat that much plastic.

[batwrangler.livejournal.com]

I don't want to think of what other creature would eat that much plastic.

My dog. :)

OK,

[lsanderson.livejournal.com]

No getting et by a bear.

Re: OK,

[gerisullivan.livejournal.com]

How 'bout a moose? Can I get et by a moose? It's make a great fanzine article.

[batwrangler.livejournal.com]

If you have bird feeders (with food in them) out now, I'd bring them in for the summer. (ETA: Since you are following the "Living with bears" guidelines, you've already got this covered.)

Also, look outside before you open your doors: a woman in NH recently walked into a bear that was standing immediately outside her front door. She escaped with some stitches, thanks in part to her dog.

That said, bear attacks in New England are very rare.

Some people suggest wearing "bear bells" in the woods which are just jingle bells so that you don't accidently sneak up on a bear. The theory is that the bear hears you and moves away before you see it.

[gerisullivan.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the tips, especially the one to look outside before opening doors. If it's a moose, I doubt it would come that close to the house, but the last thing in the world I want to do is startle a moose. Or a bear.

I ran out of $$$ to fill the bird feeders 4 years ago, when I got serious about tackling the whole runaway debt thing. Except for the Hummingbird feeder. I really ought to just through the seed feeders away. Wasps have taken to nesting in at least one of them some summers.

[sexybass.livejournal.com]

We had one at our cottage come around twice last week. Looked like a young male and was still nervous of people and dogs so ran away. Hope you are having a good summer. It is very hoy here in T.O.

[gerisullivan.livejournal.com]

The heat is hitting here today. The forecast is for 94 fondly Fahrenheit. And here's me, with only the easy half of the lawn mowed and a party this Sunday. Oops.

See you at Chicon? Hope so! And, hey, SFContario, too!

[prydera.livejournal.com]

I have a friend who saw a black bear by Rt 20 in either Palmer or Brimfield recently so they're definitely in the area. (Sadly one was killed on I-91 in CT last night, too :( ) There seem to be more bear sightings than usual in CT this year so I wouldn't be surprised if there were more in MA as well. That said, I think you should be fine with the precautions you're taking.