Turley Publications photos courtesy of Sue Mulliken

A bear helps himself to sunflower seeds at a birdfeeder on Dennis Whitney Road, New Braintree, near the Oakham line. New Braintree photographer Sue Mulliken says she’s been trying to get pictures of a bear. Obviously, she hit pay dirt this time.

Just out for an early morning stroll.

Bears visit local backyards

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

NEW BRAINTREE - “Wow did I have a great morning!” said New Braintree photographer Sue Mullikan. “I’ve been trying for three years to get pictures of a bear…here are a few…This guy had a great breakfast. I took the shots on the New Braintree/Oakham line on Dennis Whitney Road. Isn’t he just gorgeous?”

According to wildlife experts, depredations by bears in urban and agricultural areas are most likely to occur at this time of year, when natural foods are scarce, or in late summer and fall, especially during years of poor berry and nut yields. Bird feeders are like Easter baskets to the hungry creatures just arising from a long winter’s nap.

The average home range of an adult male bear is about 120 square miles; that of a female is only 11 square miles. Yearlings usually remain within the mother’s home range until sub-adulthood, then expand upon that territory. Males of the same age often wander as far as 60 miles away, establishing a range well outside their rearing area. These young males often wander into suburban areas, causing understandable concern among residents. You’re most likely to see a bear at dawn or dusk; you will rarely see one at night, except during breeding season. The adult bear you see is probably familiar with its territory, but not necessarily the bear next door. The animals do not defend exclusive territories against other bears, but they tend to avoid direct contact with each other. They don’t hold neighborhood bird-feeder and honey parties.

However, when one is awoken to witness plundered property or confronting a bear at the edge of the garden, people are not likely to be concerned with its age or gender. They will probably grab their camera and/or the telephone.

Catherine Williams, assistant press secretary for the Executive Office of the Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs, advises persons suffering damage by a bear or confronted by a bear on their property to call the Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075. She explains that environmental police officers are in the area and will visit the location and deal with the situation. “These officers are trained in dealing with these situations, they are skilled; many are biologists. They serve as mediators between bears and people. They will deal with each situation in an appropriate manner.”

Readers of the Quaboag Current living in the area are doubtless informed that the best measures to take are preventive ones: do not encourage their presence. This means removing what the wildlife people call sources of alternative foods, such as unprotected compost piles, pet foods, bird feeders or animal carcasses. Bee hives need to be protected, as do domestic livestock. This can mean electric fences. Do not for one minute think that providing “decoy” food around your property will distract the bears from the hives, the bird feeder, or your pet food. “Any of these will train the bears to visit you more frequently,” Williams says.

For more information on bears in New England, how to protect crops and livestock and even oneself from bears, visit www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/facilities/districts.htm