James C. King wrote:
>
> Greetings:
>
> I am currently using two electric fences to protect bees from bear damage
> at two remote location.  ... I would like to
> have either a timer or photocell turn these units on and off at dusk and
> daylight to increase the time the battery operates before requiring
> recharging.
 
I have had plenty of experience with bears. You may have some success with the
fences, but not likely 100%. I've not tried the fences, however, so I'd like
to hear from you and others how it turns out. I have a couple of friends who
like to keep family hobby hives in areas where bears frequent. For the
hobbyist with a hive or two, I've been suggesting elevated caches. This is not
practical, of course for a large number of hives.
 
You may also consider adapting an infrared motion detector. It should be easy
to do and pretty inexpensive. Obvious benefits, since bears also forage during
light conditions that would be ineffectively controlled by photocells; and a
motion sensor will only drain the batteries when a critter is there, not
during set periods of hours per night.
 
Just a thought.
Regards
 
Steve
--
 
Steve Andison
<BR>Alaska Resource Economic Development (ARED)
<BR>(907) 790-2111
<BR>Fax: 907-790-1929
</BODY>
</HTML>