Bear hunting pointers for Vermont
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Western CT
Posts: 11
Bear hunting pointers for Vermont
So I have been running searches and found some good information, but mostly for western states. I am a life long deer and upland game hunter who has only hunted bear secondary to deer hunting.
So here is the situation I need some pointers on. I keep bees on my in-laws farm in Vermont. For the last 5 years we have had a problem bear who raids the hives every chance he gets. At first he was just a cub, now he is huge and comes right up to the house door at times to sniff around.... Unfortunately he never shows up in season and the state will not issue a nuisance permit on him.
So when he first started hitting the hives they were on the ground and unprotected (our own fault). Then we got smart and put them on the roof of a shed. We went a few years without any problems other then him sniffing around. Last night he figured out how to climb the shed.
So now I am resolved to turn him into a rug and maybe some good eats
So the season in Vermont opens in Sept and runs until early Nov. Dogs are legal, but I don't have any and it is illegal to hire any. Bait is illegal, scents like bear bombs are a grey area, but I kinda am skeptical that they attract anything other than hunters with too much money in their wallet.
So what would be my best approach? We manage the land for deer with food plots and a few apple trees. It is heavily wooded and steep ground and was logged about two winters ago. Has some red oaks, but mostly hemlock and spruce, and it is marshy in places. It boarders the interstate for about two miles .
So here is the situation I need some pointers on. I keep bees on my in-laws farm in Vermont. For the last 5 years we have had a problem bear who raids the hives every chance he gets. At first he was just a cub, now he is huge and comes right up to the house door at times to sniff around.... Unfortunately he never shows up in season and the state will not issue a nuisance permit on him.
So when he first started hitting the hives they were on the ground and unprotected (our own fault). Then we got smart and put them on the roof of a shed. We went a few years without any problems other then him sniffing around. Last night he figured out how to climb the shed.
So now I am resolved to turn him into a rug and maybe some good eats
So the season in Vermont opens in Sept and runs until early Nov. Dogs are legal, but I don't have any and it is illegal to hire any. Bait is illegal, scents like bear bombs are a grey area, but I kinda am skeptical that they attract anything other than hunters with too much money in their wallet.
So what would be my best approach? We manage the land for deer with food plots and a few apple trees. It is heavily wooded and steep ground and was logged about two winters ago. Has some red oaks, but mostly hemlock and spruce, and it is marshy in places. It boarders the interstate for about two miles .
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: waterville/barre vermont USA
Posts: 337
So I have been running searches and found some good information, but mostly for western states. I am a life long deer and upland game hunter who has only hunted bear secondary to deer hunting.
So here is the situation I need some pointers on. I keep bees on my in-laws farm in Vermont. For the last 5 years we have had a problem bear who raids the hives every chance he gets. At first he was just a cub, now he is huge and comes right up to the house door at times to sniff around.... Unfortunately he never shows up in season and the state will not issue a nuisance permit on him.
So when he first started hitting the hives they were on the ground and unprotected (our own fault). Then we got smart and put them on the roof of a shed. We went a few years without any problems other then him sniffing around. Last night he figured out how to climb the shed.
So now I am resolved to turn him into a rug and maybe some good eats
So the season in Vermont opens in Sept and runs until early Nov. Dogs are legal, but I don't have any and it is illegal to hire any. Bait is illegal, scents like bear bombs are a grey area, but I kinda am skeptical that they attract anything other than hunters with too much money in their wallet.
So what would be my best approach? We manage the land for deer with food plots and a few apple trees. It is heavily wooded and steep ground and was logged about two winters ago. Has some red oaks, but mostly hemlock and spruce, and it is marshy in places. It boarders the interstate for about two miles .
So here is the situation I need some pointers on. I keep bees on my in-laws farm in Vermont. For the last 5 years we have had a problem bear who raids the hives every chance he gets. At first he was just a cub, now he is huge and comes right up to the house door at times to sniff around.... Unfortunately he never shows up in season and the state will not issue a nuisance permit on him.
So when he first started hitting the hives they were on the ground and unprotected (our own fault). Then we got smart and put them on the roof of a shed. We went a few years without any problems other then him sniffing around. Last night he figured out how to climb the shed.
So now I am resolved to turn him into a rug and maybe some good eats
So the season in Vermont opens in Sept and runs until early Nov. Dogs are legal, but I don't have any and it is illegal to hire any. Bait is illegal, scents like bear bombs are a grey area, but I kinda am skeptical that they attract anything other than hunters with too much money in their wallet.
So what would be my best approach? We manage the land for deer with food plots and a few apple trees. It is heavily wooded and steep ground and was logged about two winters ago. Has some red oaks, but mostly hemlock and spruce, and it is marshy in places. It boarders the interstate for about two miles .
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 182
Why don't you just keep your hives out?
If your raising bees, then it strikes me that isn't baiting. Its just him being a nuisance. If it happens to occur in September, well then he's a dumb nuisance.
Not sure what Vermont DNR would say about that, but thats my logic at least.
If your raising bees, then it strikes me that isn't baiting. Its just him being a nuisance. If it happens to occur in September, well then he's a dumb nuisance.
Not sure what Vermont DNR would say about that, but thats my logic at least.
#4
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Western CT
Posts: 11
Since the berries have ripened I haven't seen hide nor hair of him, last caught him on the game cam on the 28th of July.
We are in the Royalton area, since Irene getting here and out has become problematic.
We are in the Royalton area, since Irene getting here and out has become problematic.
#5
I would ask around and find out the number of a couple of bear dog guys. Most that I have run into would be glad to have a bear to chase. They tree the bear and often pull the dogs and go home without shooting. It is all the chase for them. I am sure you could make a small donation towards dog food or a vet bill as a form of appreciation
#7
Spike
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 10
I think the beehive idea is actually not a bad one. It would certainly allow you to pattern the animal and hopefully would take care of the nuisance.And besides who says you need to say anything about the bear raiding the beehive? Just a thought and happy hunting....