Bears are highly motivated by food rewards, and their exceptional sense of smell makes deterring them from a corn pile difficult. The allure of a high-calorie, easily accessible meal overrides many natural instincts, meaning any deterrent strategy must be robust, immediate, and consistently unpleasant. Once a bear successfully accesses a food source, it quickly adds that location to its mental map, returning until the reward is eliminated. Successful long-term management requires a multi-pronged approach combining sensory aversion, physical exclusion, and strategic adjustments to the feeding site.
Non-Lethal Sensory Deterrents
Non-structural methods aim to create an immediate, negative association with the corn pile by targeting the bear’s sensitive nose and mouth. One technique involves the use of capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, applied directly to the corn. The premise is that a bear investigating the pile receives an instantaneous, irritating burning sensation, teaching it to avoid the corn.
Capsaicin-based repellents can be sprinkled directly onto the corn or sprayed in liquid form to coat the surface. This method is distinct from bear spray, which is an aerosolized irritant meant for use against an aggressive animal, not as an area repellent. Since a bear’s motivation is strong, the capsaicin application must be potent and consistently renewed to maintain the negative taste and smell experience.
Another strategy employs strong, non-food odors that bears naturally avoid, such as ammonia. Placing rags thoroughly soaked in household ammonia around the perimeter of the corn pile can act as a cover scent and a deterrent. The sharp, irritating fumes are disliked by bears and may prompt them to bypass the area entirely in search of a less offensive meal.
Visual and auditory deterrents, including motion-activated floodlights or radios tuned to talk stations, can also be used as supplementary measures. Bears prefer to forage under the cover of darkness to avoid human contact, so sudden light or the sound of human voices may cause temporary hesitation. These sensory disruptions are usually less effective than taste or scent deterrents for a highly motivated bear.
Constructing Physical Exclusion Barriers
The most reliable method for physically excluding bears from a concentrated food source is the proper installation of an electric fence. This barrier works by delivering a painful but non-lethal corrective shock that conditions the bear to associate the pain with the area. The fence design must account for the bear’s anatomy and their tendency to push or crawl rather than jump.
A temporary electric fence should consist of four to five strands of wire to ensure contact. The lowest wire should be placed 6 to 8 inches above the ground to prevent crawling underneath. The top wire should be 36 to 42 inches high, with wires spaced about 8 inches apart to ensure contact with a charged line.
The energizer requires 5,000 to 7,000 volts to penetrate a bear’s thick fur and deliver an adequate shock. A high-output charger with at least 0.7 stored joules is recommended for effective deterrence. Proper grounding is equally important, as the electricity must complete a circuit by traveling through the bear, into the ground, and back to the energizer.
To ensure the bear receives a memorable shock, a conductive attractant can be used to lure them into contact with the fence. Strips of bacon or aluminum foil coated with peanut butter can be fastened to the energized wires. This forces the bear to use its nose or tongue on the fence, guaranteeing a painful jolt that quickly teaches avoidance behavior.
Strategic Site Management and Timing
Adjusting the management of the feeding site can significantly reduce bear attraction. Minimizing the overall volume of corn placed at the site decreases the reward. A smaller, less concentrated food source presents a reduced incentive for a bear to persist through deterrents.
The timing of corn replenishment should be strategically scheduled to avoid periods of peak bear activity. Bears are naturally crepuscular and nocturnal, visiting the site during twilight and nighttime hours. By only placing corn during the middle of the day, typically between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., the chance of encountering a bear is reduced.
The physical location of the corn pile should be moved away from dense cover, which offers bears an easy, sheltered approach and retreat. Placing the site in a more open area increases their perceived risk of exposure, making them less comfortable approaching during daylight hours. This shift in location can disrupt a bear’s established travel patterns and routines.
Reducing residual human scent can discourage wary, mature bears. Using rubber boots and gloves while servicing the corn pile minimizes the amount of human odor left behind, which bears may associate with danger. All non-corn attractants, such as food wrappers or garbage, must be removed to ensure the corn pile is the only reward.