> it has been >cold-around 30F this past week-I am in the New York State Taconic range-why >aren't the bears hibernating by now? Not cold for a bear. Besides there is still food to eat....like your bees. Another beekeeper on this list just lost his best yard last week. Nope, not too cold for bears. > this is a situation where I >could not use an electric fence does anyone have experience with another >type of fence that works? > Howard Why not. There are suitable battery fence chargers that work well...such as the Gallagher B-10 or B-11....or the Speedrite AN-90 Both run on flashlight batteries, and will stop a bear. Mike :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::