Bear problems in Del Rio

[Jamesl]

Curt, please keep feeding them on your side. I have enough critters other than deer eating protein. Can't afford to feed bears as well.

[dadogg]

I don't have to deal with them in E. Texas, But I would love to see one in the wild. God Luck resolving your issues with them

[kparker158]

This Blackbear was on my cousins camera in Rocksprings. I personally was there pulling the card out of the camera.

[Kdog]

Yep, they are there!!!! Anyone had any luck with an electric fence? Just wondering if this is a good option on a feed pen. If so how should it be set up?

I am sure they won't be an issue when we are actually in camp. But I can tell you I have already reviewed our plan with my kids if they see a bear.

[gator89]

Just found these on my computer. I believe they are off land on Dolan creek road. Figured I'd share as well.

[sharkhunter]

[ATTACH]489487[/ATTACH]

Yep, they are there!!!! Anyone had any luck with an electric fence? Just wondering if this is a good option on a feed pen. If so how should it be set up?

I am sure they won't be an issue when we are actually in camp. But I can tell you I have already reviewed our plan with my kids if they see a bear.

That looks like a big one !! Not sure if it's the angle or what but he looks huge!

[Kdog]

^^ yes it's a big bear. Kinda shot to crap the theory that it is only small ones. From what I have gathered there are at least 3 different ones on our lease. It might be 2, not really sure. I have not seen all the pics.

[wtx223]

^^ yes it's a big bear. Kinda shot to crap the theory that it is only small ones. From what I have gathered there are at least 3 different ones on our lease. It might be 2, not really sure. I have not seen all the pics.

By the looks of the bear you have plenty of protein out.
What time of year was that picture?

[Silent Assassin]

Also other thing is to practice what Bear States practice is to hang high your trash, coolers, and such. Don't make it an easy picking for em to keep coming back for easy snacking.

As far as feeder, I have no idea but I would think electric fence around would be your best bet. Look for Alaska/Colorado/etc on how they protect their camps from bear intruders. And do the same for your camp.

Good luck! Oh by the way, it would be scary to walk in to your stand in early AM with bears roaming around!

[Bowhuntinonly]

Seems electric fence would keep the deer out as well! Good luck.

[8pointer]

Does Yeti build feeders yet?

LMAO...... Great now I'm going to hear about my friends having $5,000 feeders

[bentlimbs]

I'm not out to hurt any animal for whatever reason unless I am actually hunting. Yes Black Bear are illegal in Tx and we are fine with that. We just have concerns more geared towards our own safety while out hunting. If they are hanging out around our areas we have a big potential of meeting up with one sooner or later especially coming in and out of the hunting areas in the dark. Things will probably be fine, it is a neat thing to have in a way! Bruce I may consider Mitch's feeders if I actually have a prob but the bears seem to be on your North fence our south west side and also our camp area and north of there. These guys have hit us in the daylight and staying on a feeder for several days. I'll see what David can get done through TPWD. Been a very interesting discussion! If KDOG (Kevin) and I get some more pics we will share them. Kevins pics are of a big black bear and we have had some around 350# and a couple around 250#. They love protein.

[RogueSamurai]

DO NOT SHOOT ONE...

That's just silly. You think they are costing you know. Ssshoot one and let TPWD find out ...

They very well might have a tracker in/on them as well. I know of one in west TX that does. So you could be inviting Federal problems as well.
Although it wouldn't surprise me to see this happening more and more so someone should probably come up with an idea on what to do soon.

[txarcher]

I used to work for a manufacturer of feeders and feeder parts. We traveled all over the country to trade shows and the #1 concern of people in the Eastern U.S. was how feeders hold up to bears. I have spoken with people about this topic at length and people have told me every unsuccessful idea that they have had, from electric fences to suspending a barrel on a cable between two trees. Maybe I can shorten the learning curve for those with bear problems. From what I have seen and been told, there are really only two options you have to keep them from tearing up your equipment.

1) Make or have the kids in shop class make "Hangman" brackets out of steel pipe. They need to be 10-12' tall and the part that is parallel to the ground needs to extend out from the long piece about 4'. They dig a post hole and set it in concrete then use winches, cables, and pulleys to lower/raise the barrel. You will need to put a lock on the winch.
Digging post holes around Del Rio might not be an option.

2). Use an extremely heavy duty feeder like an Outback. They are too heavy to turn over and their varmint cages are made of horse panels that are welded between the legs. I'm not pushing outback feeders, they are just the most widely distributed, heavy duty feeder that I know of.

There might be something out there that I haven't heard of, but believe me, I heard a lot and these two things were the only two things that people told us about that worked.

[trailboss]

We have them on the lease in OK (that's why I got on it). We use winch up feeders and stake the legs down. Never had a problem with them tearing anything up. Not sure what to do about free choice protein feeder?

Trailboss