Bears!

[gypsywolf]

I was taking Mr D out for his evening walk and had finally convinced myself to walk up to the top of Acorn (to the end of the pavement) when this nice woman who was coming down stopped and suggested I turn around because a bear was up there "rampaging" through trash cans. 

I wonder if this is the same bear that has been sighted or is this just "Year of the Bear" in Wrightwood?

[gypsywolf]

The bear just left our neighborhood. He is hanging out up here by Acorn Canyon between Finch and Quail. This is the same bear that Hank saw on his deck.

He is punk teenager out looking for a good time. I hope he doesn't become a nuisance and end up in trouble with the law.

[Moose]

He is hanging out up here by Acorn Canyon between Finch and Quail

Up close and personal I hear....

Thanks for the phone call.

[Magnolia]

Yes a huge thanks to Gypsywolf and husband for alerting me last night.  I guess the bear came up to the bottom of my front stairs, and then climbed one of my trees.  Thanks goodness he didn't come peek in the window.  I would have had a Mississippi fit right then and there.   I saw the bear later crossing the street and going up toward Finch.   Like Gypsywolf, I sure hope he stays out of trouble.

[MountainGrizzly]

If you guys will promise to put the good garbage near the top, I will try not to tip over the cans.

Please keep your teenagers in at twilight, they are scaring my bear cubs.

[gypsywolf]

Does anyone have any simple solutions on how to bear proof our monster garbage bins?

[Wrightwood]

I don't think our new trash cans could be made bear proof. Keep the cans in an area that bears don't have easy access, like a garage.

Does anyone have any simple solutions on how to bear proof our monster garbage bins?

[Nolena]

That's about the only way. We keep ours in the garage. Bears can even get into the "bear-proof" trash cans that the U. S. F. S. has erected in the Angeles.

[Stitches]

Well I don't have a garage yet.   We are working on that though.    Meanwhile, the cans will just have to be left outside behind the house.   I have been studying it and I think I've got it figured out.    I'm not as concerned about the bears as I'm concerned about my neighbors wandering dogs.   Last week some animal knocked down my can and pulled things out and I had to put everything back in.   I hate doing that.

I'm going to look for bungie cords that will reach from the metal bar in the front of the can over the top, around the handles and back down over the can and then to the bar.   I don't want to make it too tight as I don't know how strong that bar is.   It's better than the big rock I had on top of it.   It didn't work that well and it was starting to push in the top.

I'll let you know how it works.

[angelwolf326]

Some people have wood boxes with doors to keep their trash in. 

[RNgiveTLC]

Not all cans are knocked over by Dogs and or Bears. We watched as someone purposely went out of their way to drive their car into our trash can and knock it over.

Donna

[KWBoy]

or punk teens with nothing better to do....

[gypsywolf]

Thank you all for your thoughts on this. I will have to figure something out.

I don't want to contribute to the delinquincy of an impressionable young bear.

[Surfer_Dude]

The biggest trash can knocker overers (if that is a word) that I know of are racoons.  Please blame them first, then dogs, cats, etc.  Bears are way down the list.

[gypsywolf]

The biggest trash can knocker overers (if that is a word) that I know of are racoons.  Please blame them first, then dogs, cats, etc.  Bears are way down the list.

I agree..bears certainly are not as prevalent as raccoons, dogs and coyotes.  I just don't want to give the bears an excuse to come into town. I want to give them a chance to survive without human interference. Wildlife is such a treasure.

We have a garage, but it gets way too hot and the garbage would just reek. My laundry is in there and my hubby works out there, so the stench would be unbearable (get it? un-BEAR-able!) so that is not an option. I guess I won't worry about it unless it becomes an issue. We have not had a bin knocked over yet.

If it starts happening, I will deal with it then.

[MountainGrizzly]

Does anyone have any simple solutions on how to bear proof our monster garbage bins?

Before we got the monster cans, I bought the kind with latching lids, and was very careful to keep them latched.

I also kept the cans near the back door of the house. 

One night, I heard a visitor, went out, and found a bear sitting on the porch, calming going through the can.  On inspection the next morning, I found 4 nice bear-claw punctures in the lid.  He opened it easier than a can of coke, just popped the lid right off.

[Hiyum]

As the saying goes here in the north, what a bear wants.....a bear usually gets. I've seen them rip car doors off like they were opening a can of sardines. The best way to try and thwart there attacks on garbage is to keep the smell of the garbage from attracting them (bears or coons). Rinse out as much of your cans and bottles, seal bones and other garbage and scrap foods in air tight bags. Bears and raccoons have a keen sense of smell so use this as a tool to fend them off.
Moth balls are very offending to the smell...and the bears in my neck of the woods (including a grizz) have turned their noses up more than once to the smell and walked away in distaste. I place moth balls around and in my cans, and ammonia or pinesol works pretty good too. Oh....and those urinel thingys you hang on your toilet that stink like no tomorrow work well. Anything that helps cover the smell of good grub will help. And if all else fails....do like my nieghbor does....put an electric fence around your trash area.
Anyhoots, over n out fer now....good luck at out smarting yogi and friends.

[Snowline]

I was riding my mtn bike up hwy 2 past big pines this morning when I heard a deep growl from the bushes next to the road. Needless to say I turned around and peddeled very fast for a second. If it was a bear I'm sure he was just letting me know he was there. Anybody heard of siteings up past big pines?

Snowline

[ForestGal]

[WWMtnGal]

There was one on Wednesday crossing over Lone Pine Canyon Road (just past the last curve past the last house) headed up into the hills!!!