窪蹋勛圖厙

穢 2025 窪蹋勛圖厙

FCC Public Inspection Files:
繚 繚 繚
繚 繚 繚 繚 繚
Public Files ContactATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

As bears emerge from hibernation, state urges precautions

A bear walks on top of open garbage containers
Samara Chambers
/
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
State biologists say bears are in every town in Vermont outside the Champlain Islands. They're asking Vermonters to take down bird feeders, secure garbage and put up electric fencing to prevent conflicts with bears.

This story, originally published in March of 2024, has been updated.

For years, the state would advise Vermonters to remove bird feeders and other food sources that might attract a bear to their property by April 1. Recently though, that hasnt been a reliable end of the hibernating season.

We have been seeing that creep , Jaclyn Comeau, the bear biologist for Vermont Fish and Wildlife, told Vermont Public last year.

As of March of this year, bears have been reported destroying bird feeders, killing livestock and getting into garbage cans across the state, including in Putney, Hinesburg and Dorset.

bear-feeder-2025-vermont-fish-wildlife.mp4

A black bear visited a Vermont bird feeder earlier this season. Credit: D. Field / Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

While female bears with new cubs will hibernate until April, other bears will emerge from their dens once enough snow recedes and temperatures warm.

So state biologists are asking , including taking down bird feeders.

Beekeeping supplies in disarray on a garage floor.
Jane Lindholm
/
Courtesy
A bear broke into a garage in Addison County in April 2022 to reach beekeeping supplies.

Theres not a lot of other food on the landscape, so it makes your bird feeder, your garbage, your backyard livestock much more appealing to these animals, Comeau said.

She said to put up an electric fence if you have bees, chickens or other livestock. Store garbage and consider attaching a rag or sponge soaked in ammonia to minimize odors. And if you see a bear, and to your neighbors.

Thats to prevent bears from learning to associate food with peoples homes.

"These are like, smart, persistent animals," Comeau said.

"If they cruise through your backyard or your neighborhood and dont find any foods, its less likely they are going to keep coming back to that spot."

Being proactive is vital for the animals safety the state and private residents kill upwards of 40 bears a year whose behavior presents a danger to the public, like breaking into cars, killing livestock or causing extensive property damage.

So many people see these bear incidents as just being seemingly benign, Comeau said.

In a lot of cases, it is just a nuisance. It's an annoyance. But these things can escalate.

Lexi covers science and health stories for Vermont Public.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by 窪蹋勛圖厙s Members listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, 窪蹋勛圖厙 has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a betterand more civil窪蹋勛圖厙 to live, work, and play.

Related Content