Tree replacement, bear problem

weekender21

weekender21

Well-Known Member
As I lose the fight with bears in a few areas I’m considering replacing apple trees with something else. Apparently the aroma of apple trees is simply irresistible.

Should I replace with:

1) pears (seem to attract fewer bears at least prior to fruit production)

2) chestnuts

3) sawtooth oak

4) food plot crop, forget the trees

Also considering attaching bear spray canisters to the cages for him to chew on.

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I've got bears. I've chosen not to fight them. That means not only no fruit trees, it also means no corn.

I've really gotten away from planting anything that isn't already native not only to my area, but my property. My area is full of red oaks, white cedars, and tamarack, but I don't have any on my property, so I don't plant any either. Food plots are the exception though, I'll try anything twice.

You don't have to be the best, just better than everyone near you.
 
RGrizzzz said:
Can you put something on the young trees that smells bad to bears?
Click to expand...

I don’t live on the property to apply often enough. Considering zip tying a bear spray canister to his favorite trees, that might do the trick if he bites into one.


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I've heard people say Irish spring soap is a repellent for some animals. Jamming a bar onto the cage should last a while.
 
what you are likely dealing w/ is cubs...wire cage is just playground to them......i run into them as well was planning on forgoing any tree purchases next year and installing electric fence and give that a try, has worked for keeping them out of my bee yard see if i can simulate that on bigger scale.
 
This & only this --> you're going to need electricity to keep them out 100%, prob fence the whole plot like I did. Mine is right next to my cabin so I use 110 for the energizer but you can do solar easy if your plot is remote. When I was hunting in MT we used bear spray wrapped in bacon on the meat house. They still got it, crushed the bacon/bear spray & took off w/ elk & deer meat...

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coolbrze0 said:
This & only this --> you're going to need electricity to keep them out 100%, prob fence the whole plot like I did. Mine is right next to my cabin so I use 110 for the energizer but you can do solar easy if your plot is remote. When I was hunting in MT we used bear spray wrapped in bacon on the meat house. They still got it, crushed the bacon/bear spray & took off w/ elk & deer meat...

orchard-fence.jpg
Click to expand...
do you find deer like to still hop the fence....not saying that's a bad thing, just curious. As i don't mind few deer hopping in there once trees are 5-6' high any browsing they do is so minimal, but if i can keep bears out and deer still are able to get in thats a win.
 
BC20 - that's TBD. I did a lot of research before designing this fence & that's my intention - keep bears out 100% & deer are welcome if they want to jump a little. I reckon they can jump 8' high if they want to & my top wire is 5-5.5' high depending on the grade. I just installed it the week before last & most of my orchard is clover & the deer were browsing the heck out of my younger (< 2 yo) fruit tree leaves before the fence went up & it looks like it's keeping them out for the most part now. I'll be able to answer that better in a few weeks as some new leaves grow back & I'll be able to see if there's any new browsing going on. I will say this... the deer haven't browsed a tree that's older than 2 years old once - they like the young, tender trees. I don't mind a few buck rubs here & there or deer eating some of the fruit but a single bear can destroy MANY trees in one night, hence the 5 strand high tensile electric fence.
 
When chestnuts start to bear, the bears climb into them and damage them badly on a piece of state ground close to me. I don't see them being any better than apples for avoiding bear issues. IDK if the other tree alternatives you mentioned are better. Based on my experience with bears though, I agree that electric fence is the correct answer if you want bears to leave your stuff alone.
 
coolbrze0 said:
This & only this --> you're going to need electricity to keep them out 100%, prob fence the whole plot like I did. Mine is right next to my cabin so I use 110 for the energizer but you can do solar easy if your plot is remote. When I was hunting in MT we used bear spray wrapped in bacon on the meat house. They still got it, crushed the bacon/bear spray & took off w/ elk & deer meat...

orchard-fence.jpg
Click to expand...


Unfortunately electricity isn’t an option for these remote plots, hopefully some will make it.


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I like the idea, just not sure how to set that up on food plots without constant grounding issues that I won’t find out about until weeks later.

This is the plot that’s seeing the most damage right now. Apples and pears line the north and west sides.

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Keiffer pears might be one option. They grow like weeds, I have some that are bearing fruit in their third year. Bears eat pears but they don't seem to bother the keiffers as much and deer love them. Solar fencing is also a great option
 
The problem is bears are rediculously curious. They smell the apple blossoms, investigate, and see a fun cage/tree to destroy. Never leave anything plastic laying around. I’ve probably lost 20 gas/diesel cans to the damn things. Not to mention tractor seats, pvc pipe, boat cusions, you name it. Pita.


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