How to keep the bears out of your bird feeder

State considering law requiring certain tactics

By: Bruce A, Scruton
Newton New Jersey Herald
USA Today Network

..... If you hang it, they will come - and so will unwelcome visitors.
..... The object, then, is to feed "them" - the birds - and not the night-raiders, otherwise known as black bears.
..... Legislation pending in Trenton would set rules, inspections and potential fines for illegally feeding bears, even if the intent is to give feathered friends an easy wintertime meal. the proposal has passed committees in both the state Assembly and Senate and could see votes in both chambers next month. [12/2024]
..... The proposal comes as human-bear-encounters are on the rise in New Jersey.
..... The legislation, A360 in the Assembly and S765 in the Senate, would make the unintentional feeding of bears punishable buy fines of up to $1,000 per offense.
..... It also sets out a few standards for bird feeders used between April 1 and November 30, the time when black bears are most active.
..... In those months, bird feeders would have to be suspended on a cable or other device at least 10 feet above the ground, and the area below the feeder kept free of spilled bird food or any other item that may be construed as bird food. The proposed law would require feeders to be emptied or brought indoors every night.
..... Should a bear get into the birdseed, "the condition allowing access shall be corrected or the bird feeder removed within 48 hours," the proposal says.
..... Bears have a strong sense of smell, reportedly able to detect a deer carcass from a mile or more away. So an open bird feeder will emit an attraction odor to a passing bruin. once a bear learns of what might be a constant food supply, visiting the area becomes part of tis routine.
..... Wildlife officials say the bear population is expanding, forcing the animals to expand their range to include not just the woods and field of northwestern New Jersey, but also suburban and even urban areas throughout the state.
..... In addition to their strong sense of smell, bears are also able to climb; they are persistent and intelligent. Oh, and yes, they also have strong, long and sharp teeth.
..... Their claws not only allow them to climb easily but also are designed by Mother Nature to rip open trees, overturn stones, or dismantle a deer carcass to get their natural food.
..... Which means a plastic, aluminum or thin-enameled steel bird feeder doesn't stand a chance if a bear can get to it.
..... Bears do take long winter naps - which is way the proposed regulations don't apply from December through March - but the animals don't truly hibernate in this region.
..... While they do enter winter dens, they only go into a deep sleep, known a torpor, and will awake on warner winter days to search for food.

How to attract birds, not bears

..... If the above seems to make bear-proof bird-feeding an impossibility, don't give up. There are some tricks and techniques that can provide a food source for birds and make it too difficult for bears to mess with.

Clean up around your feeder

..... Birds are notoriously messy, scattering seed in their search for the one piece of food that fits their fancy.
..... The proposed law says it;s the property owner;s responsibility to clean up that mess at least daily.
..... To make that easier, consider a tarp on the ground under the feeder that can be easily dragged to a trash container. And, while it might be a pain, consider bring the feeder inside at night when birds aren't feeding - but bears likely are.

Use bear-proof poles

..... There are metal poles designed to extend higher than 10 feet, but refiling the feeder either requires pulling out a ladder every day, buying a special tool to reach the feeder or creating a pulley system to lower it down.
..... If you do use a pole, it needs to be sturdy, preferably metal, and cemented securely to the ground so it can't be tipped over.

Elevate your bird feeder

..... Feeders can also be mounted on a tree branch, again with a pulley or cable system, or strung between trees or structures.
..... However, bears are good climbs, and they will get to any feeder on a branch that supports their weight.
..... If you have an elevated deck, there are metal arms designed to hold planters for the summer that can hold a feeder for the winter.
..... Such a planter arm could also be attached to a corner of a building with a system rigged to lower it for filling.

Choose the right bird food

..... Bird feeds coated with hot pepper or capsacicin products can deter bears, squirrels and other critters that don't like the taste, advises Wild Birds Unlimited, which sells seed, feeders and other bird-related fare.
..... Unlike mammals, birds lack the receptor protein that triggers a reactions to such products, the company says.
..... Some tips for feeding birds in the winter in New Jersey include using high-energy foods such as sunflower seeds, peanuts (unsalted) and chopped into small pieces), niger seeds, fruit and meal-worms, which are high in protein and fat, especially important for animals in the winter.

Keeping bears out of trees and off your deck

..... Wild Birds Unlimited recommends strategically places aluminum or stainless steel flashing to keep bears from climbing up to feeders."Bears will not be able to climb trees that are wrapped with smooth metal flashing as they simply cannot get a grip on it. You can also use the metal flashing to deter bears form a second floor deck by wrapping metal flashing on the support posts or any other area tat the bear would use to access the deck," the company said on its website.

Eliminate other food sources

..... Removing other easy food sources can keep bears form raiding feeders at the same time, advises PerkyPet.com , another Online bird store.
..... Make sure no food for pets is left outside and securely cover all trash cans or compost piles that might attract bears.

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