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Here's a timely message from my friend and neighbor, Helen Morrison:

Several weeks ago I had the pleasure and privilege of watching a mother bear and her two cubs check out where my bird feeders had been.  I loved it.  I don't think that they were this year's cubs, so I would imagine that family breakup would happen soon if it hasn't already.  This year's cubs would be much smaller and stay with mom through the next winter in a den somewhere.  Yesterday I was working in my garden and a youngish bear cautiously went by in the woods.  I bid him a "hello".

I am sure you let Joe's Pond campers know each year to not have garbage or compost out, nor bird feeders.  And that if they see a bear around their house, not to panic, but to just stay inside.  The bear will leave if there is no food to be had.  That is what they are after.  Hopefully, everyone, humans and bears, can have a happy and safe summer.  After all, the woods up here above Joe's is their domain, too.

This is certainly the time of year we most frequently see black bears in Vermont.  It's very important not to leave anything outside that could be "lunch" for them, for if you do, they will return time and again looking for more, and eventually get into serious trouble and may even have to be put down.  That is not the outcome any of us want for these interesting creatures. 

So do not feed the birds - they will do very well on their own this time of year; and take special care to keep your garbage inside, along with grills or anything that has had food on it.  Bears (and lots of other animals) have a keen sense of smell and will be drawn to whatever it is that's left outside.  The bears are particularly hungry this time of year.  There isn't a lot out there for them to eat, so they are looking for whatever will make an easy meal, and you don't want to get between a bear and food.  You also don't want to get between a mother bear and her cubs.  If you mind your own business, chances are good the bears will mind theirs.

You should also be aware that raccoons and skunks, while not particularly dangerous, are also out and about this time of year, and both are scavengers adept at getting into even the smallest places, tipping over garbage cans and raiding any kind of trash or dumps.  So keep your trash secure, inside a tight enclosure, and dispose of it properly - preferably by recycling and/or having it picked up regularly.