CONTACT:
Mark Beauchesne: (603) 271-5619
Jay Martin: (603) 271-5619
May 22, 2019

Concord, NH – In a cooperative effort to improve human understanding of bear behavior, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services will present a free workshop on electric fencing and other ways to minimize adverse bear interactions. The program will be offered at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 30 at Osborne’s Agway, 258 Sheep Davis Road in Concord, NH. Preregistration is not required.

Join Nancy Comeau and Justin Sutherland from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services’ NH Bear Program as they demonstrate the effective set up of electric fencing, and how this form of bear exclusion can effectively and humanely deters bears from small and large livestock pens. Hobby farmers who keep chickens, bees, goats, sheep, and general livestock are encouraged to attend to be better prepared for the coming summer season.

All Granite State residents can help build respectful relationships with bears with the following actions:

  • Stop feeding wild birds by April 1 or at the onset of extended spring-like weather conditions, whichever comes first since conditions fluctuate throughout the state.
  • Clean up any spilled birdseed and dispose of it in a secured trash container.
  • Secure all garbage in airtight containers inside a garage or adequate storage area, and put garbage out on the morning of pickup, not the night before.
  • If using a dumpster, inform your dumpster company that you need a dumpster with metal locking tops and doors that are inaccessible to bears and other wildlife.
  • Never put meat or other food scraps in your compost pile.
  • Don’t leave pet food dishes outside overnight.
  • Clean and store outdoor grills after each use.
  • Finally, never deliberately feed bears. You will be encouraging these animals to rely on human-related foods which will deteriorate their wild behavior and reduce their survival.

For more information on reducing bear-human encounters, visit www.wildnh.com/wildlife/bears/index.html.
If you have questions regarding bear-related issues, you can get advice by calling a toll-free number coordinated jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department: 1-888-749-2327 (1-888-SHY-BEAR).

For more information on Osborne’s Agway, visit www.osbornesagway.com.