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Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? #6916433
07/01/20 08:22 AM
07/01/20 08:22 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,783
MN
1
160user Offline OP
trapper
160user  Offline OP
trapper
1

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,783
MN
It has been extremely dry here and there are bears and snakes everywhere. Has anyone else noticed this? Everyone around here has been seeing bears at all hours (including a sow with FOUR cubs) and garter snakes everywhere. I have never seen so many snakes or as big of ones.


I have nothing clever to put here.





Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916435
07/01/20 08:27 AM
07/01/20 08:27 AM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 14,796
Greene County,Virginia
R
run Offline
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run  Offline
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R

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Greene County,Virginia
We got all kinds of snakes here in Virginia. Rain or no rain. Bears are a bit hit and miss in my experience.


wanna be goat farmer.
Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916441
07/01/20 08:31 AM
07/01/20 08:31 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,423
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,423
Georgia
No experience with bears but here when it gets dry the snakes head to water. Not necessarily to the creeks and swamps but the areas that retain moisture. I'll see them in irrigated landscaping, in and under mulches, etc. Basically if it's parched the snakes will move to moisture. Since we tend to keep our yards and gardens green that's where the snakes go.


[Linked Image]
Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916458
07/01/20 08:48 AM
07/01/20 08:48 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,783
MN
1
160user Offline OP
trapper
160user  Offline OP
trapper
1

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,783
MN
[Linked Image]


I have nothing clever to put here.





Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916469
07/01/20 08:55 AM
07/01/20 08:55 AM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 799
MN
O
oneeyedtrapper Offline
trapper
oneeyedtrapper  Offline
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O

Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 799
MN
Awesome picture!

Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: oneeyedtrapper] #6916471
07/01/20 08:56 AM
07/01/20 08:56 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,783
MN
1
160user Offline OP
trapper
160user  Offline OP
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MN
Originally Posted by oneeyedtrapper
Awesome picture!


I wish I could post the video with all 4 cubs.


I have nothing clever to put here.





Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916483
07/01/20 09:08 AM
07/01/20 09:08 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline
trapper
Bruce T  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Nice picture


Nevada bound
Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916494
07/01/20 09:16 AM
07/01/20 09:16 AM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,294
Northern MN
O
Osky Offline
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Osky  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2013
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Northern MN
160..... the Bears are crazy up here as well, but no more than normal it seems. Every year I notice a big uptick in activity around this time I believe mostly due to the breeding season ending and the boars are looking hard now for food and the sows and Cubs are braver without the horny boys pestering them as much.
It does seem the dry conditions are knocking back the natural foods a bit too this year, the Bears may be particularly hungry. Snakes I have no clue.

Osky


"A womans heart is the hardest rock the Almighty has put on this earth, and I can find no sign on it"

Jabless in Minnesota

www.SureDockusa.com
Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916497
07/01/20 09:21 AM
07/01/20 09:21 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,783
MN
1
160user Offline OP
trapper
160user  Offline OP
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Joined: Jan 2007
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MN
Osky, I have had 2 enclosed deer stands damaged by bears so far this spring. They have chewed on the lumber, busted windows out and climbed up in them to eat the chairs. They are acting weird. There are still red oak acorns on the ground from last fall to eat and tons of white clover.


I have nothing clever to put here.





Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916506
07/01/20 09:25 AM
07/01/20 09:25 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,233
The Hill Country of Texas
Leftlane Offline
"HOSS"
Leftlane  Offline
"HOSS"

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,233
The Hill Country of Texas
Maybe they are protesting the untimely death of the soon to be saint Geo Floyd whistle


“What’s good for me may not be good for the weak minded.”
Captain Gus McCrae- Texas Rangers


Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: Osky] #6916508
07/01/20 09:26 AM
07/01/20 09:26 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,292
East-Central Wisconsin
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bblwi Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
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East-Central Wisconsin
We are not dry here and we do not have a breeding population of bears but the phone is busy with animal removal requests. Coon families are now running over the landscape and with the young growing rapidly the need for calories increases daily. Also see deer moving any time of the day and bug populations with our moisture are really coming on as well.

I have noticed the last couple weeks several deer in very good condition and does with single fawns or none. I don't know if there were breeding season issues or winter issues as typically in my area of eastern WI twins are by far the norm and I have not seen many sets as of yet. There are several fawns laying on the sides of the roads but just not seeing as many twin sets with does this summer yet.

Bryce

Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916509
07/01/20 09:27 AM
07/01/20 09:27 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,656
Minnesota
330-Trapper Offline

trapper
330-Trapper  Offline

trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,656
Minnesota
Originally Posted by 160user
[Linked Image]

Awesome picture


NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #6916514
07/01/20 09:30 AM
07/01/20 09:30 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,783
MN
1
160user Offline OP
trapper
160user  Offline OP
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,783
MN
Originally Posted by 330-Trapper
Originally Posted by 160user
[Linked Image]

Awesome picture


Thanks. A group of pigs like that would sure clear out a landfill or dumpster in a hurry. Diapers wouldn't stand a chance!


I have nothing clever to put here.





Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916538
07/01/20 10:01 AM
07/01/20 10:01 AM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,294
Northern MN
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Osky Offline
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Northern MN
Originally Posted by 160user
Osky, I have had 2 enclosed deer stands damaged by bears so far this spring. They have chewed on the lumber, busted windows out and climbed up in them to eat the chairs. They are acting weird. There are still red oak acorns on the ground from last fall to eat and tons of white clover.



Yea I know 160... There is swamp cabbage and other things as well. I always figure when that odd stuff happens it's because in a leaner year their body craves certain chemicals more. Maybe they are having salt cravings down there? Have any blocks out from last year that have been hit?
I have tried good acorns and had them all rot on baits untouched. Had the same happen with fresh hazelnuts, un imagineable to me had I not seen it. If you go online and find some of the writings/papers of Karen Noyce who was our states leading bear authority at the DNR in Grand Rapids you may find some answers. She is brilliant with black bear knowledge.
Flip side, they are bears. After over 40 years of chasing them they continually surprise me.

Osky

This just came to mind. Remember the current head of the states bear program " crap for brains" has become an anti hunting advocate. Yes I've dealt with him and so have others here. We have so darn many bears right now it shocks me. They are spreading to Dakotas and Iowa and everywhere in between. This clown in charge says they are threatened and keeps lowering the available tags.
Could be too many for the resources to support having an effect as well.

Last edited by Osky; 07/01/20 10:07 AM.

"A womans heart is the hardest rock the Almighty has put on this earth, and I can find no sign on it"

Jabless in Minnesota

www.SureDockusa.com
Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916543
07/01/20 10:08 AM
07/01/20 10:08 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,783
MN
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160user Offline OP
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MN
I had left over salt/mineral blocks out from last year and they all got fresh blocks this spring. The bears haven't touched them at all.


I have nothing clever to put here.





Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916594
07/01/20 11:08 AM
07/01/20 11:08 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,975
Wisconsin
8117 Steve R Online content
trapper
8117 Steve R  Online Content
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,975
Wisconsin
I don't know the reason, but I have seen lots more bull snakes and garter snakes than in previous years. Still haven't seen any copper bellies though.


Steve
WTA
NRA
Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916598
07/01/20 11:12 AM
07/01/20 11:12 AM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 4,949
rogers city mi.
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jeff karsten Offline
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 4,949
rogers city mi.
Seen a couple Big Boys wandering around in good light lately
Snakes have been scarce around here for a couple years now Turtles for some reason are all over


olden tyred
Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916637
07/01/20 11:53 AM
07/01/20 11:53 AM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,787
Asheville, NC
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charles Offline
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Asheville, NC
Garbage pickup day in my community is Thursday morning. A stream of garbage soup drains out of the truck and right down the middle of both lanes of the street. Bears walk the line on Thursday afternoons.

Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916726
07/01/20 01:34 PM
07/01/20 01:34 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,113
Manitoba
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Northof50 Offline
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Posts: 8,113
Manitoba
Dry = frogs going to waterways = snake hunting grounds change.

Bear management must be a gong show in Minn. Add in a couple of encounters with unfavourible results, and the noose is only going to get tighter on the harvesters.

Re: Dry Weather = Bears and snakes? [Re: 160user] #6916761
07/01/20 01:53 PM
07/01/20 01:53 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,261
james bay frontierOnt.
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Boco Offline
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Boco  Offline
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james bay frontierOnt.
Way more garter snakes here this year so far than is the norm.
I have seen a couple times over the years when blackbears,when overpopulated get some kind of gut rot.Plenty of food to eat,but the ones affected are just skin and bones.
The years when this happens it becomes noticable in the fall when most bears have short fur and should be noticeably plump,but are not.The couple times I have seen that in bears was in fall with bumper crops of blueberries,and the bears were feeding heavy on them,but unable to fatten up.

Last edited by Boco; 07/01/20 01:54 PM.

Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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