Re: Bears
 
I keep my hives in the Gatineau Hills 100km North of Ottawa, Canada.  A
few years ago, I saw a bear and two cubs a few kilometres from my hives.
The pleasure of seeing the bears outweighed the fear I have of bear
damage.  I concluded that keeping my hives in an area free of pesticide
use, free of agricultural production has a risk factor I'm prepared to
live with.  The area is predominantly forest covered with some
significant but underutilized pasture - producing a very light, flowery
tasting honey.  My hives are located fairly close (150 metres) to a few
lakeside cabins.  This perhaps acts as a deterrent to bears.  Bears are
not "jerks" - they're just taking advantage of a fantastic opportunity we
are creating for them.
 
May this spring's nectar flow equal that of the mighty Amazon!
 
Marc Patry
Hobbyist
Near Ottawa, Canada.