Bear populations high; valley residents must continue to do their part securing garbage
A bear-repelling sign at the Dover Transfer Station was one measure undertaken by landfill attendant Ken Hartman when bears showed interest in the transfer station’s compost shed this summer. Hartman is also moving compost into the main facility, away from bears’ noses, each night. Photo courtesy of TJ Sibilia.
DOVER - Despite high statewide bear populations, local officials say overall, human-bear incidents were less copious this summer than they have been in summers past. That’s not to say there wasn’t some trouble.
Chicken coops have proven to be a growing bear attractant in the valley this year, game warden Rich Watkin told The Deerfield Valley News this week. Watkin encourages electric fencing for those who keep chickens or bees. “Electric fencing works wonders for excluding bears,” he said.
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