News to me.  Winter's been a long and isn't breaking (weather forecast
is always better 5 days out, but by the time you get there it doesn't
materialize).  Heard of two operations with numbers like Bob's quoting,
with only one actually being into his hives.  The other is assuming
high losses because his hives are covered and he doesn't see any bodies
on the snow.  Most reporting only slightly higher numbers than normal,
maybe up to 30%.

As a side note, had to dig the hives out for first check (most totally
covered) and now having to dig the bear fences out too. Our black
friends are awake and HUNGRY! A fence buried in a foot of snow is not
very effective.  Have had to do one or two yards in the past, but never
the whole operation.  Always a new wrinkle in this business.

Dave Tharle
Ardmore, AB

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