Bird feeders often lead to conflicts with bears, which are highly opportunistic omnivores. Bears possess an exceptional sense of smell, allowing them to detect high-calorie food sources like seed and suet from great distances. A bird feeder represents an easy, concentrated energy reward that far outweighs the effort required to access it. The principle for mitigating this conflict is to ensure the reward is never worth the risk, encouraging the bear to forage for natural foods elsewhere.
Eliminating the Primary Attractant
The most effective method for preventing bear conflicts is the complete, seasonal removal of all external food sources. Bears emerge from hibernation in early spring and remain active through late fall. During this period, bird feeders must be taken down and stored securely.
Bags of birdseed and suet must be treated like human food due to their high caloric concentration. These supplies should never be stored in a garage or shed unless the container is certified as bear-resistant. Store all bird food inside a home or in a rugged, metal storage bin with a locking lid, since plastic containers are easily breached.
Specialized attractants, such as suet and hummingbird nectar, require attention. Suet is high in fat, making it an irresistible caloric source. Nectar feeders offer easily digestible carbohydrates. Both should be removed seasonally, or at minimum, taken down and stored indoors every night.
Bear-Proofing Feeder Hardware and Placement
If seasonal removal is not possible, the physical setup must be engineered to prevent a bear from reaching the food. The pole supporting the feeder must be smooth metal, preferably at least four inches in diameter, and set securely into a deep concrete base. Wooden posts are easily climbed and should be avoided entirely.
The feeder needs to be positioned at a height that exceeds the vertical reach of a large black bear, typically about nine feet. Feeders should be hung at least ten feet from the ground to ensure they are inaccessible from below. This often requires installing a specialized, heavy-duty pole that is twelve to fourteen feet tall.
Horizontal placement is equally important to eliminate jumping access. The pole must be located a minimum of eight to ten feet away from any structure a bear could climb, such as trees, decks, or fences. Maintaining this clear perimeter is essential, as a bear will use any nearby stable launch point to access the feeder.
Area Sanitation and Non-Food Deterrents
Maintaining a clean feeding area prevents residual scents from attracting a bear after the feeder has been removed or secured. Spilled seed, hulls, and fatty residue from suet must be completely cleared from the ground beneath the feeding station. Use a rake or a lawn vacuum to remove these traces regularly, as lingering odor can still prompt a curious bear to investigate.
For properties with chronic problems, a multi-strand electric fence can serve as a highly effective physical and psychological deterrent. This system requires an energizer that delivers a high-voltage, low-amperage shock, typically at least 6,000 volts with a minimum of 0.5 output joules. Proper installation involves at least three to five wires, ensuring the bear cannot step over or crawl under without contact.
Other non-food deterrents, such as motion-activated lights or loud alarms, can temporarily discourage initial curiosity. However, these devices are quickly rendered ineffective as bears habituate to non-threatening stimuli. These tools should only supplement the primary strategy of eliminating the food source and securing the hardware.