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General Forestry => General Board => Topic started by: sprucebunny on June 11, 2010, 12:07:49 AM

Title: On my porch tonight
Post by: sprucebunny on June 11, 2010, 12:07:49 AM
Wildlife is getting too friendly !

A squirrel was demanding food this morning, acting threatening. I expected him to run up my leg. I'm pretty sure the same one left "messages" on the dashboard of my car. He is no longer with us.

I live on the second floor of my house. The garage ceiling is 12 feet so the stairs are long.
I've been letting the birdfeeder run out but put a little seed in once a week or so. Guess I'll stop that.



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11412/SBbearonstairsOP.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11412/SBbearonporchOP.jpg)

Then there's the mice.....
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: CHARLIE on June 11, 2010, 12:17:14 AM
Holy Schmolee! Dat's a big mouse! Better get a bigger trap!
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Gary_C on June 11, 2010, 12:55:12 AM
Charlie is right, you need a bigger trap and something besides a camera to take to the door when something knocks.
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: ScottAR on June 11, 2010, 01:04:07 AM
As I recall, the Bunny is equipped to handle any unwelcome visitors;
4 legged or 2.
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: IMERC on June 11, 2010, 02:20:16 AM
that is some squirrel...

what's the other critters look like...
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Coon on June 11, 2010, 03:10:05 AM
I think ya might need to get out some lead reinforcement for that one.  ;D   If they are coming this close at this time of the year there must be something wrong.  There is alot of wild vegetation for them to feed on... 

Brad.
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: SwampDonkey on June 11, 2010, 03:11:55 AM
Reminds me of the bear hunter that had one leap through a picture window onto the sofa where the guy was watching TV. :D :D

Be careful, they got big teeth and sharp claws.  ;)
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: IMERC on June 11, 2010, 03:12:35 AM
lazy... easy grub and no fear...
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Chuck White on June 11, 2010, 05:39:16 AM
I wouldn't like to have those critters within my comfort zone!

That's a good size blackie there.  Be careful and maybe even have some protection close at hand.

Those guys are very unpredictable!
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Dave Shepard on June 11, 2010, 07:52:40 AM
I saw a black bear near here about two weeks ago, only the second I've ever seen, although I've seen sign for years. Had one chasing out heifers yesterday.
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: sprucebunny on June 11, 2010, 09:24:56 AM
Quote from: IMERC on June 11, 2010, 03:12:35 AM
lazy... easy grub and no fear...

Me ? ... or the bear ???

It didn't like the camera flash much. Not near as quick as a squirrel.
I'm going to feel pretty silly sitting on the sofa armed  ;D
It might be easier to put a door in the stairs then it will have to climb a tree.
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Chuck White on June 11, 2010, 09:34:25 AM
We've never had very many bears around this area.

Then, the state of New Jersey outlawed bear hunting about 2-3 years ago.  Another PETA accomplishment.

I think the PETA people should have to deal with some of their own doings!

Now, when they have a bad bear incident, they trap it and transport them to the Northern Adirondacks and let them go.

Now they have reinstated a limited bear hunting season in NJ.  That's a start!
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: JohnG28 on June 11, 2010, 04:28:23 PM
About taking them to the Adirondacks...we had a Black Bear walk across the front of our camp, right past the dock.  This is something Ive never seen before in my 27 years.  They should keep their problems there to themselves.
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Roxie on June 11, 2010, 04:43:53 PM
 :o  Great jumping doggies!!  If I'd a been standing there, they would still be trying to wake me up! 

Note to self:  Isn't it ironic that Jeff spends weeks on end trying to bait these big boys in, send pm to Jeff to use birdseed. 

Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Warbird on June 11, 2010, 04:58:50 PM
LOL Roxie
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Tom on June 11, 2010, 05:18:22 PM
Jumpin' Jehoshaphat!!  There's a bear in the house!?!?! :-\ :-\
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: IMERC on June 11, 2010, 07:08:37 PM
Quote from: Tom on June 11, 2010, 05:18:22 PM
Jumpin' Jehoshaphat!!  There's a bear in the house!?!?! :-\ :-\


crowded... huh....
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Slabs on June 11, 2010, 08:04:15 PM
Aaaah!

Is Bruno housebroken?  Need to start early.  Those droppings are evil.

A few drops of ammonia on the second step may leave the unwelcome mat out.
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: WDH on June 11, 2010, 08:08:19 PM
Like Tom said  :).

Whoa.......
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: fishpharmer on June 11, 2010, 08:37:23 PM
Dadgum! 

Is bird seed in porridge?
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Brucer on June 12, 2010, 01:13:31 AM
Quote from: Chuck White on June 11, 2010, 05:39:16 AM
Those guys are very unpredictable!

I was taught that once, but it ain't true. Bears are actually very predictable. Problem is, people talk about "rules" about how to behave around "a bear". But there's two species of bear in North America (if you don't count polar bears), and the "rules" are different for the two species. So the first thing you have to do is learn to identify them.

There's lots of ways to distinguish a Black Bear from a Grizzly Bear, but in an unexpected encounter you need something that's easy to remember and quick to spot, so ... Black Bears have big ears that stick out from the head (just like the one in the picture). Grizzly Bears have small ears close to the skull. Black Bears have curved claws that are hard to see (just like the one in the picture). Grizzly Bears have long, slightly curved claws that look like fingers sticking out from the fur on their paws. So that there's a Black Bear.

Black Bears are pretty mild mannered and unless they are very sick, or starving, they'll tend to avoid confrontations with people. That one is probably hooked on garbage and has become accustomed to people. Shouting at it will be a minor distraction, which it will ignore. Shouting louder will just reinforce its view that people can be ignored.

I train the Black Bears that hang around my house (on their way into town to "shop" for garbage).  All it takes is a pellet gun and my voice. First thing I do when one pauses for a visit is shout at it -- if it takes off in a hurry, it's probably been here before and knows what comes next. If it doesn't take off, it's either a newcomer or dumb. That one gets shouted at a second time and gets a pellet bounced off its rump. I don't know why, because even with all that fur and even at a fair distance, they really don't like that pellet whacking them. In any event, I've had 300-400 pound Black Bears take off like a shot when they get dinged by a pellet. A couple of treatments like that and they learn to recognize my voice. Just a shout will drive them off after that.

When I used to work next to the local recycling depot, if a Black Bear came by I'd climb up on a bale of cardboard to get above it and bounce a block of wood off its head while shouting at it. That sent them packing.

Grizzly Bears are a whole other story. I treat them with a lot more respect. Now loud shouting, no bouncing things off them.

Unless you're a knowledgeable and experienced hunter, shooting at a bear (with a firearm) is  a bad idea. They don't go down easy.

Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Tom on June 12, 2010, 11:18:51 AM
Bears that wander close by a farmhouse around the Okeefenokee generally have a bunch of pellets shot at it and then it will be eaten.

"Whatcha got in that Pot?"

" Coon.  Want some?"
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: fishpharmer on June 12, 2010, 11:21:59 AM
Quote from: Tom on June 12, 2010, 11:18:51 AM
Bears that wander close by a farmhouse around the Okeefenokee generally have a bunch of pellets shot at it and then it will be eaten.

"Whatcha got in that Pot?"

" Coon.  Want some?"

:D
That may hold true for all of MS too.

Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Warren on June 12, 2010, 09:52:48 PM
If that is a Squirrel, you must live in TEXAS !     :D
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Texas Ranger on June 12, 2010, 10:33:30 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10007/deer.jpg)
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: WH_Conley on June 12, 2010, 10:40:46 PM
Now, that looks like supper. ;D
Title: Re: On my porch tonight
Post by: Buck on June 12, 2010, 11:18:13 PM
I sure hope he doesnt find my feed barrel.  I have enough surprises when I reach in there in the dark.