Bear Feeder

[arees]

I read another thread that discussed finding a bear feeder that was probably set out by DNR to reduce spring tree damage.  While scouting a new area on Saturday I came across one a took some photos.  The feeder itself is pretty simple:



Here is an interior shot showing the bear kibble.



Here is a shot of a recently peeled tree about 50 yards away:



It was an interesting find, but I have seen better sign elsewhere.

[saylean]

weird find..I bet they prefer the natural stuff...I think I would rather eat bark than that hampster food!

[boneaddict]

ditto

[stumprat]

They love hog feed.

[Bofire]

 :)Ralph Flowers developed some special feed for them that was supposed to work really well.

[BULLBLASTER]

i think the slug was hungry!!!!

[arees]

If you look closely you can see that the slug still has tree bark in his mouth.

[Michelle_Nelson]

:)Ralph Flowers developed some special feed for them that was supposed to work really well.

[Huntbear]

ummmmmmm bears do not like pellet food.  They like doughnuts!!!!!!!   

[ICEMAN]

Wouldn't it save the state some cash, to simply give out a few more spring bear tags with maps showing where significant damage is occurring? 

[Lincoln4]

Wouldn't it save the state some cash, to simply give out a few more spring bear tags with maps showing where significant damage is occurring? 

Silly man...  Of course it would... 

[Huckleberry]

That feed is actually "bear" feed.  A lot of time and money has been spent coming up with the right mix of fat, carbs, protein all while trying to maintain a taste bears like. The idea behind the feeders is to give them something to eat so they won't peel the trees. If peeling still occurs then the timber co. can get kill permits and remove the problem bears. This is just the first step.

The problem with issuing more permits is that 1) hunters are ineffective 2) the problem bear is usually not the one killed 3) allowing access is a hassle and creates problems for the land owner.

[JBar]

If the bears peel the trees for the sap, then wouldn't it be best to have a barrel or buckets full of tree sap or tree sap substitute instead of pellets? 

[Bofire]

 :)Ralph Flowers is proably the most successful bear hunter that ever lived, he literally killed hundreds. He has passed on now, but likely knew more about bear than any biologist. Tags and hunters will never be effective. Its not a state problem the timber companies pay and the timber assoc.
Get Ralphs books, read and learn. Ralph said the feed was far better at keeping bears from peeling then he could ever acheive by killing.
Carl

[singleshot12]

The tarheals up river started putting up bird feeders with corn and bread,,,they get their bear every year 

[markts]

The bears are after the sweet cambium layer under the bark I believe?? Mark

[rasbo]

the feed that was used a few yrs back on hancock was senior horse feed,and they loved it.

[huntncoug]

Hey Arees, was that feeder on DNR land, I just talked to my buddy with the DNR and he says they dont feed bears at all.

[Michelle_Nelson]

The bears are after the sweet cambium layer under the bark I believe?? Mark

Yes!   Bears are not peeling the trees for the sap.

[arees]

Hey Arees, was that feeder on DNR land, I just talked to my buddy with the DNR and he says they dont feed bears at all.

I guess that depends on how far down the road I hiked.  The road it is on starts out in the hunting area.  I suppose if you walk down it far enough you wind up outside the hunting area.  There are no signs indicating any change in ownership and I didn't have a GPS along.