American Black Bear (Ursus americanus)

I live in bear country. During normal years, during spring, summer, and autumn, I see a bear every few weeks. During the winter when they are doing their “cold weather slumber,” I won’t see a bear for perhaps 2 or 3 months.

And sometimes it is not just one bear but a family of bears that comes through.

This, perhaps the largest bear I’ve ever seen here. One not to be messed with, but then no bear is to be messed with. I treat them with respect but certainly let them know that I’m the boss around here.

This certainly has not been a normal year. In April 2021 I saw a bear come through, obviously suffering from a severe case of mange or Sarcoptes scabiei, with hardly any fur, extremely thin, looking like a saggy baggy elephant. Since that day I have not seen a single one. Last night though my bird feeders, mounted on an extremely sturdy pole, were raided, the pole bent to the ground, a sure sign of a bear.

The bent pole has left me with mixed feelings. I’ve missed seeing bears but it’s been so nice putting out the bird feeders without concern that they would be carted off into the woods not to be found again, or mangled beyond recognition. Most of all though, this perhaps is a sign that the bear population here in my woods is recovering. Color me happy!