Dave, you are right, the bear is likely coming back after such a good
    meal.  Although in spring, bears are on the move and he may have just
    picked up this morsel on the way.
 
    It is much harder to deter a bear after he has learned there is a nice
    meal out there.  An electric fence for one hive sounds pretty expensive
    to me! Why not salvage the hive (assuming there is anything to salvage)
    and bring it to a safe, bear-free environment?
 
    In any event, if you do put up a fence now, you want to make sure you
    apply the maximum zap to the bear when it does return.  I suggest you put
    up the fence and place chicken wire on the ground just outside the fence.
    Make sure to ground the chicken wire well; if it is placed just on dry
    sandy soil you may not have enough grounding.
 
    Here in BC we have a very large population of bears and many beekeepers
    move colonies up in the mountains every summer for the fireweed.
    Properly operated bear fences are a must in keeping  your colonies in one
    piece.
 
    good luck,
 
    Paul van Westendorp                         [log in to unmask]
    Provincial Apiarist