Vermont to residents: Beware of bears
MONTPELIER — The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is urging residents to avoid attracting hungry bears this spring by removing or securing potential food sources.
The department has been getting reports of bears getting into trash containers, bird feeders, bee hives and chicken houses.
The department recommends keeping chickens and honeybees within an electric fence or other bear-proof enclosure, feeding pets indoors, not feeding birds between April 1 and Nov. 30 and storing trash in a secure place.
The state's bear biologist says once a bear becomes used to a food source and human contact, it is nearly impossible to relocate the animal. It frequently has to be put down.