Bear sightings on the rise around county

The number of bears in Vermont is higher than it’s been in 200 years. More and more Addison County residents are spotting the ursine visitors on their properties.

This week Forest Service officials in Vermont began posting alert notices at developed campsites to notify recreation users about the recent spike in bear activity.

Many people are having problems with bears looking for food near their homes — bears on decks, tearing down bird feeders, wrecking beehives, killing chickens, and getting into trash, compost and garbage containers.

Vermont Coverts: Woodlands for Wildlife, a leading conservation organization that works to educate landowners and others about sound forest management and wildlife stewardship, has launched a Bear Ambassador Program.

The state suggests I bring in my bird/ feeders./ If I don’t want to find myself/ staring into two dark eyes./ If I have enough courage./ To step onto my porch./With my bugle. My flag.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has begun to receive reports of bears coming out of their dens and is urging Vermonters to take steps now to prevent conflicts with bears over the spring and summer.

The number of bears I have seen this year — and seen evidence of around my house — gives testimony to our vibrant and growing black bear population.

Vermont’s black bear population is estimated at 7,000 to 8,500 based on 2022 data, the most recent available, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

Sometime — likely between 3,000 and 2,500 years ago — a Hebrew poet wrote a beautiful nature poem that has, thankfully, managed to survive the centuries, and has come to modern readers as Psalm 104. I say “thankfully” because for many years this ancient p … (read more)

I never have — and with complete confidence can say I never will — be seen “Dancing with the Stars.” As for dancing with the bears, however, that’s another story.

According to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, many people are having problems with bears looking for food near their homes, and with the food scrap ban in effect the department is providing tips for people who are composting at home so they can a … (read more)

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is increasing outreach efforts to encourage Vermont residents and visitors to get ahead of an anticipated jump in bear conflicts this June.

In response to the June 8 article about the minors who illegally shot and killed a mother bear: Why do children have guns?

I was horrified to read that a group of minors shot and killed a mother bear, leaving her orphaned cub on its own before it was thankfully rescued and sent to a rehabilitator.

An orphaned, black bear cub was rescued in the Bristol area after a group of local minors shot and killed the bear’s mother on Memorial Day.