Living With Bears

Spring is around the corner and the Conservation Commission would like to remind residents that bears emerging from hibernation will be hungry and on the move looking for food. Now is a good time to think about how we can be good neighbors to black Bears and all wildlife that shares space with us in Jericho. Bird feeders should be taken down by mid-March or possibly before if warm weather and lack of snow hasten the bears' reappearance. We are sharing an article published in the Jericho Underhill Land Trust Newsletter which provides specific tips for living in harmony with black Bears.


Being Responsible Neighbors With Black Bears*

By Sabina Ernst

The Jericho Underhill Land Trust and our members understand that land conservation is crucial for the survival of large mammals including black bears. Black bears (Ursus americanus) are omnivorous animals that require large areas of land to thrive. When we conserve large parcels of unfragmented forest land we help preserve their habitats and ensure that they have enough space to roam and forage for food. We also help maintain the ecological balance in an area, which is essential for the survival of other species that also depend on the same habitat.
Photo: Sabina Ernst


However, land conservation alone is not enough to protect black bears. At our Annual Meeting in October we were fortunate to hear from Jaclyn Comeau, Black Bear biologist for Vermont Fish and Wildlife. Jaclyn advised us that human behavior modification is necessary to ensure that bears are not negatively impacted. We learned that human activities can lead to conflicts between humans and bears, which can result in the death of bears. Bears, generalist omnivores with a keen sense of smell (several 1000 times more sensitive than humans), often find their way to our yards because of our carelessness and once they learn that a location has a food source they do not forget. The Fish and Wildlife department uses the adage “A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear” to remind us of the potential consequences of complacency.

Jaclyn gave examples of the top human sources that lead bears to venture closer to our homes: pet food, bird feeders, barbecue grills, garbage, and household trash containers.

More specifically, she gave us stats for Black bear reports to Fish and Wildlife from Jericho and Underhill which showed that in Jericho, of 96 bear incidents reported between 2011-23, 35% were related to garbage and 17% were chicken-related. In Underhill, for 86 bear reports in the same time period, 22% were related to garbage and 35% were chicken-related.

As Jericho-Underhill Land Trust supporters and responsible wildlife stewards we need to:

  • Keep chickens and honeybees secure within an electric fence or other bear-proof enclosure.

  • Never feed bears, deliberately or accidentally.

  • Feed pets indoors.

  • Feed birds from December to March only (Winter Solstice to Vernal Equinox) and consider adding landscape plants which provide natural food sources, such as berries and seeds, for birds instead of using feeders.

  • Store trash in a secure place. Trash cans alone are not enough!

Land conservation is essential for the survival of black bears. However, it is equally important to modify our human behaviors to ensure that bears are not negatively impacted. By working together to conserve land and modify our behaviors, we can help to protect black bears and ensure that they continue to play a vital role in maintaining the balance of nature. To read more and find resources for living responsibly in bear country please visit:


*This article was originally published in the Jericho Underhill Land Trust Newsletter (Winter 2023)