By Mike Roche

As you may have heard, a horse was killed by a bear in South Athol last week. This ultimate wildlife/livestock conflict was a great loss for the owners of the 24-year-old pony, who had been a great show horse in her day. It is easy to make the bear the villain, but the circumstances that lead up to something like this are complex. Terry Bouchard and her family were heartbroken by the loss of their beloved pony, but she understands that the bear was just being a bear.

We all have to understand that we live with wildlife every day. Our decisions, the things we do and the things we do not do can make a difference. This space has offered bear advice for 20 years. Anyone can visit the MassWildlife web site and find a great deal of valuable information from professionals that will aid you in your ability to co-exist with black bears. Whether we like it or not, black bears are here to stay.

Like so many others, this writer enjoys having birds in his backyard and deploys bird feeders. That comes with a responsibility. Feeders can attract more than just the intended target species of birds. With my dogs frequently out in the yard, bears are not likely to visit my feeders during daylight hours, but history has proven that they will raid the feeders at night. It is a pain in the butt, but that means taking them in every night during the time when bears are likely to be foraging.

If one does appear, it should be challenged quickly and loudly. Use all possible means to drive it off immediately, using loud noises like an air horn and shouting, making it clear they are not welcome. The problem is that if you’re doing the right things and your neighbors are not, the bears get mixed messages and will go where they feel they can find the easiest source of food, and you cannot blame them. Once a bear loses the fear of people, bad things can happen to them and usually does. This year, the very early arrival of spring-like weather would appear to have prompted some bears to leave the den earlier than usual. Unfortunately, the early-season natural food sources like skunk cabbage and other lush green emerging plants, including clover, dandelions and grasses have not yet emerged, making it a challenging for hungry bears. Bruins will take advantage of any food source they encounter. A bird feeder full of black oil sunflower seeds is an easy source of high-energy food that can be had without much effort. They have a long memory and will return to places where they found food in the past. You have the power to influence bear behavior by what you do or do not do.

In reality, there are a lot of things you can do (or not do) with your backyard that will influence animals, birds and insects. With a little research, you can discover what plants, trees and shrubs you can plant to attract certain species. Curtis Noel of Noel’s Nursery can also advise you as to what native plants will accomplish what you are looking for to promote more birds living there. Feeders are not the only way to attract cardinals, orioles, bluebirds and other songbirds and plantings are a proactive way to make a difference in your yard.

Lately, there has a great deal of interest in pollinators and the things we can do to help them and avoid doing them harm. Obviously, the spray can of insecticide in our hands is a threat to bees and should be used only as a last resort and according to instructions. Professionals like Mark Monette of Quality Pest Management are trained and licensed to apply chemicals effectively and safely. It seems somehow problematic that homeowners can buy some of the same chemicals at the hardware store and apply them however they want, which could do great harm to the pollinators we all depend on for the important work they do.

Last year, yours truly decided to do a limited “no mow May” on the rear portion of my back lawn and the results were impressive. A variety of birds, insects and wildlife were observed using that portion of my open space much more than previous years, so it will most likely be repeated or even expanded. The high bush blueberries were, as always, like magnets for birds. They beat me to the berries that are so delicious and healthy on my Cheerios in the morning, but that is OK!

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Remember, you are responsible and can make a difference. Please give thought to the decisions you make. You can have “watchable wildlife” and create situations that promote birds, insects and wildlife without negative consequences. Wildlife will do what it needs to do to survive, and we need to be observers and not influencers in a negative way. The conditions in the outdoor habitat change with so many long-term and short-term conditions. Bears have become the “poster child” of human intervention. Try not to be a factor that will have negative consequences for someone else.

Rumor has it that spring-like temperatures will be here next week. Trout are stocked locally so have at them!

Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the MaharFish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, has been a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.