How Do You Feed Birds Without Attracting Bears

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Or, you could even pee into some kind of bottle or container and dispose of it once you’re away from your site. Also, be aware of the direction the wind is blowing when nature calls. On that note, your campsite should be upwind from your urine. When you need to go number two, dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep and squat. When you’re done, cover up the hole and stamp it with your foot.

We have been doing our best to create an enviroment that is inviting to bees and birds , but it was very unexpected to find one invite itself into our house. Bears can get curious about new and unique smells that they want to learn more about. Although a smell might not point to a food source, they won’t know that until they investigate it for themselves. Cooking onions and garlic is a surefire way to get a potent food smell in the air. When cooking up these foods at home, the kitchen starts to smell incredibly delicious and tempting.

Will Bears Find A Good Winter Den At Your Place?

A raccoon raids a backyard bird feeder in Virginia.To us or to the birds? No matter how big or small your outdoor space, you can create a haven for local wildlife. By providing basic needs like water, food and shelter, you can make a difference in your own backyard. One of the best ways to enjoy wildlife in the comfort of your home is by feeding birds in your backyard. You’ll be amazed at the variety of birds that will come to your feeder throughout the year. In areas where bear activity is frequent, it is still possible to discourage bear visits to bird feeders.

Bears are readily attracted to back yards because of the presence of bird feeders. Bear nuisance complaint records reveal that at certain times of the year, bird feeders are involved in over 80% of the bear problems around homes. The situation often escalates to other unnatural food sources such as garbage cans, barbeque grills, and compost piles as bears become bolder and more acclimated to people. Such activities are not in the best interest of the bears or the homeowners. There are other things to consider as you manage your bird feeding while bears are present. Bears are attracted to food sources that have a scent.

How Nature Can Help Protect Our Homes

Instead, put your trash into an airtight bag and dispose of it right away. If you bring any of these items along with you, make sure to seal them in a bag when they aren’t in use. Never store them in the tent even when it isn’t in use. Only take out the items you need when going to the bathroom to use them and put them away immediately after use. If you spot a dead animal on the trail, report it to the nearest ranger station.

The Department of Environmental Conservation recommends bringing in all bird feeders between April 1st and November 30th if you are in bear country and having problems. Too much human food left out can attract raccoons, opossums, bears, rats or other pests. You should only feed birds the amount of kitchen scraps they eat in a single day.

How To Attract Birds Without A Feeder

Small branching trees and bushes provide perches, shelter and an easy way for you to watch the birds. Adding a colorful windchime or other decoration to your garden will give hummingbirds a place to perch as well. Birds need fresh water to drink and bathe, and are always on the lookout for dependable sources.

Anise oil is a strong scent used by hunters to bait bears. Food storage lockers are usually the best way to store food at a campground while hikers and backpackers can utilize bear canisters. Although there are many methods to keep food out of the reach of bears, you may not know which foods attract bears the most. Expand birds’ local habitat by inviting your neighbors to participate. With additional space, perches and food available, you’re sure to attract more birds to your feeders. Feeders full of seeds, suet, sugar water and fruit, such as oranges and grape jelly, will delight your winged guests.

Are Any Human Foods Unsafe To Feed Birds?

Putting suet feeders in shaded areas can also keep the cakes from melting as quickly. Many birders also choose to offer suet only in cooler months, but if placed properly, a high quality suet can be offered all year round. Bears don’t know they are doing anything “wrong.” They’re just happy they found so much good food for so little effort. Trash cans – Bears flock to garbage cans as a food source, it is known.

Bears routinely travel up to 15 miles a day looking for food. So if they find food in a certain location, it’s a sure bet they’ll be back for more. This method may cause you to get closer than most would like, but I felt like it needed to be on here. Bear spray is not even as strong as regular pepper spray and meant to frighten bears off only, not hurt them permanently. Spraying a bear with bear spray will not hurt the animal, just get him to run off hopefully.

Why Feeders Are Bad For Bears

This may not attract as many birds, more types of birds will eat black sunflower seeds, but less pests and thieves like them. Does that mean you should stop feeding birds and take all feeders down? There are however some things you can do to make the bird feeders inaccessible to bears or keep from attracting them altogether. Like many refuge feeding stations, Santa Ana’s incorporates native plants that provide seeds, nectar and berries favored by local and migrant bird species. Retaining or restoring the original bird habitat would be the best for birds, says Donald. But where habitat has been lost, feeding stations help provide food opportunities along migratory routes, in keeping with longstanding Refuge System practice.

Keep The Area Around Your Feeders Cleaned Up

Cardinals are broader, full-breasted birds, so they require more space when visiting a feeder. Several species including bluebirds will gobble up this treat. Bird feeding should only occur during the winter months when bears are in their dens. Bird seed, even in small quantities, is high in protein and fat.

Suet Feeders

Bears are very large mammals that have no natural predators other than man, so they do and take whatever they want. “Bears needn’t be feared, nor should they be dismissed as harmless; but they should be respected,” Ternent said. “In the past 10 years fewer than 20 people have been injured by bears in Pennsylvania, and there are no known records of a Pennsylvania black bear killing a human. If your dog is barking, or cat is clawing at the door to get in, try to determine what has alarmed your pet.

To Feed, Or Not To Feed

While suet feeders are popular, it is also possible to offer suet without a specialized feeder. Soft suet can be spread directly on the bark of a tree for woodpeckers, nuthatches, or creepers. If suet is too hard to spread, it can be gently heated until it softens and is spreadable. A hanging mesh bag can be filled with suet for small clinging birds to enjoy.

Feeding Bears Is Prohibited

Up next, what’s one surefire way to attract bears to your campsite? Camping after a mild winter might leave you more vulnerable to bears seeking food; a less strenuous winter means stronger elk, deer and other game. The location of your campsite is important, but you should also be aware of the timing of your camping trip. Naturally, most of us camp in the spring, summer or early fall — coincidentally, right when bears are up-and-at-’em between hibernations. It’s not just location but also season that will bring curious bears into your campsite. Read on for details about how particular seasons or periods of environmental strain can attract bears to your camp.

Watch Now: Top 7 Bird Feeding Mistakes

If you bring steaks, burgers, or chicken to barbecue while camping, keep it stored securely so the scent won’t waft away from your campsite. Bears will be drawn to the smell of meat which may remind them of animal carcasses that, in their mind, are acceptable forms of food. Like humans, bears rely on their sense of smell to know that food is in the area. They may not be able to see you cooking or unpacking foods, but they can smell odors from far away and be tempted to come to your campsite for a closer look. It is imperative to break the pattern of black bears coming to homes for food. You can also store trash in bear-resistant food canisters, which are usually available for rent at most bear country campsites.

Learn why national wildlife refuges are great for bird-watching. For birds, feeders can aid survival during migration and harsh winters, some studies show. And some bird lovers reason that feeding birds may help offset the harm we’ve done them by turning woods and meadows into lawns and shopping malls. Because if you are going to feed wild birds, following a few tips can help you reduce the risks to birds. Answers to your top questions about bird feeding and attracting birds to your yard.

Attracting birds Not Bears

Trapping and releasing wildlife to other areas is illegal in most places. Squirrel proof feeders and baffles above and below, with not place to jump, may help. Only place that amount in your feeder about a half hour before sunset. More of the food goes to birds that like that food, less to waste. Each species of bird has a food it prefers over all others. Choose a feeder with drainage holes, and add a plastic dome to keep seed dry.