Skip to main content

Black bear prowls for food in LeRoy

By Amy Weidner

A black bear has been seen on Vallance Road in LeRoy.

The first sighting was reported two weeks ago by a concerned LeRoy citizen but others say the bear has been in the area for at least a month.

"We first saw him in the field where there was corn being chopped, from there he went down Vallance Road," said the citizen who reported the incident.

Residents also noted that at a neighbor's house, the bear knocked over some garbage cans and had been attracted to, and damaged, both of their bird feeders. The citizen tells of other reports around town that the bear has been spotted near the Thruway exit.

Pat Flaherty, a Vallance Road resident, said, "The first time the bear came here was during the night when it knocked down bales of hay in our yard that were being used for archery."  She said that happened about a week ago.

"It completely took down a big birdhouse on a pole and had broken down a clothesline that (we found) lying on the ground," she said.

On Aug. 22, a LeRoy resident shot this photo of the bear in his yard enjoying yet another bird feeder. The incident was reported to DEC that same day. Below is a picture taken early in the morning on Sept. 28 of bear prints across the same resident's driveway.

 

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 80 percent of bear sightings are related to bird feeders. The DEC says, "Although many people find it difficult to believe, an animal as large and powerful as black bear is readily attracted to bird feeders as a source of food."

It is important to break them of this habit because the bear will associate the areas with bird feeders as a good place to get food. Removing the feeders is the only sure way to avoid attracting bears. The DEC claims that "bears that learn to approach one house will approach other houses."

Other options include bringing the feeder in at night and removing excess seed. Without available food, the bear shouldn’t return to the area.

In the event of a black bear sighting, it is advised that you contact the DEC at 585-226-6335.

Karen Miconi

Wow, I guess they are getting closer. He looks so cute and cuddly. I think they are hungry, and are wandering this way in search of food. I love the white markings on his chest. Their Beautiful, and Dangerous. Nice pics Amy, and Pat! Be Careful(:

Sep 30, 2009, 2:45pm Permalink
Mark Wiatrowski

There has also been a confirmed sighting of bear in the Byron area. My brother-in-law had paw prints in his side yard leading to a field behind his house. Two were seen roaming a farmers field not far from his house as well.

Sep 30, 2009, 3:33pm Permalink
tom hunt

Black Bears are a eating machine from Springtime to the first cold weather. Then they will be looking for a hidden place to den down for the Winter. They can't go to Florida for the Winter.

Sep 30, 2009, 8:01pm Permalink
Bea McManis

I made the mistake of leaving a zip soft cooler outdoors a few weeks ago while visiting friends in the southern tier.
I forgot there were a few bananas in the cooler as well as cans of pop.
The next morning, I took my coffee out on the back porch.
My friend has a lovely garden that is a joy to watch first thing in the morning. It is circled by feeders that attract a variety of birds. As I looked out on the garden, I realized that one of the feeders was knocked over.
Then I looked over to where I had left the cooler and saw that it had been moved. I went to investigate and found the cooler ripped open. The pop was untouched, but the only thing left of the bananas was the peel.
My friend came out and joined me. She said, "the bear was back last night.".
The bear? Good grief, the guest bedroom was right off that back porch, had I woke earlier, I might have got a good picture or two.

Oct 1, 2009, 4:04am Permalink
Kim Grant

I wonder if this is the same bear that was in Varysburg two months back. My family owns property on Centerline Rd and he was spotted by my brother-in-law in our woods. Also left some paw prints in the neighboring yards.

Oct 1, 2009, 9:06am Permalink
E. S. Sherman

we just found out he is getting braver...on saturday night he was going around a house looking in the windows and kind of pounding on them. the sheriffs dept. was called but by the time they got there he was gone.

Oct 6, 2009, 3:58pm Permalink

Authentically Local