Neighborhood Bears

[Greenfield Phase X]

Hi everyone, 

There has been a lot of communication in the GFF Facebook Group regarding the bears who have been roaming the neighborhood. Since many of you are not active on Facebook we are passing this information along to you. 

Here are some highlights - 

(1) Remove your bird feeders

This is extremely important. Bird feeders should be removed after April 1 even if they are empty. Black bears begin emerging from their winter dens in mid to late March. Bird feed such as suet and seeds are a very strong attraction for bears, even if they can't reach it. Do not put them back out until fall. 

(2) Keep your trash in the garage

• Garbage is extremely attractive to bears! It should always be kept in sealed garbage cans inside a sturdy building like a garage or shed. Anything with an odor can attract a bear. 
• Mask garbage odors with ammonia-soaked rags.
• If you have curbside garbage pickup- take out trash just before your scheduled pickup. Do not put garbage at the curb the night before.
• Do not place meat or bones in compost piles.

There is additional information regarding trash storage in our HOA Declaration of Covenants (attached) under Article V, Section 1, H.

(3) Do not feed pets outside

• Do not place food outside to attract wildlife. Any food items used to attract birds, squirrels, or other wildlife will also attract bears.
• Do not feed pets outside. Leftover food or even an empty dish can attract a bear.

(4) Clean and store your grills / refrigerators

• Remove the grease can from grills after every use. Turn the grill on "High" for several minutes after you are done cooking to burn residual odors off the grill.
• Do not operate refrigerators or freezers outside or on porches. Bears can smell what is inside.

******DO NOT FEED THE BEARS OR MAKE THEM THINK THEY CAN FIND FOOD AT YOUR HOUSE*****

From NH Fish and Game - 

If you see a bear, keep your distance. Make it aware of your presence by clapping, talking, singing or making other sounds. If you get too close to a bear, it may slap the ground, huff, blow and chomp its teeth or rush you (this is referred to as "bluff charge") in an attempt to get you to move a more comfortable distance away. If this occurs, maintain eye contact with the bear, speak in a soft, calm voice and slowly back away from the bear. These actions will help appease the bear and show that you are not weak, but, at the same time, not a threat to the bear. Do not run, avert your eyes or turn your back to the bear. The bear may perceive weakness and enforce dominance. The bear's bluff charge and chomping of teeth are a defense mechanism to establish the bear's dominance in an encounter with humans or a more dominant animal in the wild. Bears can outrun, out-swim and out-climb you. If you are attacked by a black bear, you should fight back rather than "play dead."

Visit the NH Fish and Game FAQs for additional information.

Please remember that we are all part of a community and while you may not be phased by the bears roaming around there are many people who are and many children (and pets) who may not know how to react in an encounter. Taking the above mentioned precautions helps to protect everyone.

Thank you,

Greenfield Farms Phase X HOA

[Greenfield Phase X]

An update on this - 

Fish and Game has been contacted (by a number of residents). The contact I spoke with said for bears to exhibit this behavior someone must be providing them with food or they are looking at sources where they’ve found food in the past (please put away feeders/trash, etc. if you have not already). He’s 3 hours away so he was trying to coordinate with a colleague to do a site visit and look for other things in the neighborhood that might be attracting them. I gave him a list of all the sightings reported in our FB group and in the Moms groups (almost 75% of have been on Grapevine Road). He’s hoping by working with us we can encourage the bears to focus on more natural feeding areas (away from our houses).

If you're concerned about the bears lingering around your house Fish and Game recommended getting a pressurized air horn (that you can by at boat store). It may be helpful in moving the bear(s) along. If there are any more sightings please let me know and I'll pass the info along to my Fish and Game contact.

Thank you,

Kristin