Our annual May bear visitation

1. May 13

We had a mystery in the morning (May 13th, 2017). I figured it was a bear. The large feeder was tipped precariously. I usually stop filling it in summer, and all it had was cracked corn.

 I stopped using the composter last year, as it attracted the bear. He shoved it over twice and I gave up. This is an annual event: An Owl and a Bear... (May 2016).

It was my own fault. I love watching the birds, and until they finish nesting and feeding babies...
They are cute, too, though! Momma squirrel is feeding babies.

Then, there is the other feeder. Bent out of shape, a bar that was originally horizontal. That feeder is usually empty overnight, as well.

Yes, every May, when momma sends the yearlings packing to make room for the baby cubs, they show up here. Funny, the day before Mother's Day! But that is nature.
Well, the day passed. All was well.

2. May 13th, 4:47 p.m.

Later in the afternoon, the mystery was solved. Bear showed up. It could smell the bird seed. It's tracks are enormous! It is a powerful, wild animal. We just have to teach it that crazy humans live here!


He went around to the backyard, up onto the third deck, out there, I banged on a metal can and scared it away. From there, into the forest.

3. May 13th, 5:06 p.m. 

The funny thing was, he came back, into the front yard. Quick photo, and I grabbed a pot.

I took a heavy pot and wooden spoon, and banged the heck out of them. He took off for the forest. We took in the two bird feeders overnight. We'll see if he returns. They don't, usually. Ain't nature grand?

4. May 14th, Sunday, Mother's Day

A) 4:27 a.m. on the trailcam by wood duck box #3

Bear #3A from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

B) 8:00 a.m. – Annie was growling over my shoulder, looking out the window. Sure enough, Bear is back. I'd even brought all the feeders in for the night. I went out and growled at it.
Bear visit #3 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

C) 8:36 a.m. – Hubby returned with breakfast for me. Bear was strolling up the backyard, back to the feeders, which are now gone. He gazed at the car, hubby honked his horn, and Bear took off. Again.
Bear from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.


UPDATE: May 18 – it was back to try tip the empty bird feeder, again, but I haven't seen hide nor hair!

Know the Language of Black Bears

If you by chance encounter a black bear it may:

– Stand on its hind legs to get a better look at you
– Salivate excessively, exhale loudly, and make huffing, moaning, clacking and popping sounds with its mouth, teeth and jaws
– Lower its head with its ears drawn back while facing you
– Charge forward, and/or swat the ground with its paws. This is also known as a bluff charge

Toronto police kill bear in Scarborough backyard

Police tracked the bear for nearly four hours, tried unsuccessfully to obtain the help of Ontario natural resources ministry officers to deal with the bear, and finally deployed Emergency Task Force officers.

Sadly, a bear made it into Toronto and the police had to shoot it. Bleeding hearts are complaining, yet we don't have a bear program in Ontario anymore. The Ministry of Natural Resources doesn't have the expertise and equipment.  There was four hours between the first sightings, and when they killed it. The police looked into options. You need to tranquilize it, then re-home it, but once a bear finds a good food source, like the city, it's doomed.

You really must keep all food sources away from the bears. It's as simple as that.

Sedating a bear at night is 'too dangerous,' ministry says after killing of Scarborough bear

by Muriel Draaisma

The body of a male black bear shot and killed in Scarborough on the weekend will be used for educational purposes, says Ontario's ministry of natural resources.

Prevent bear encounters (Bear Wise) | Ontario.ca