Yesterday I was discussing this problem with an old-timer down in the southern tier of New York State (where bears have been a problem over the years). He knew of one beekeeper who had good success with platforms of the following description: Nine feet or more off the ground, with trap door in center of platform. The platform itself extends out quite a bit beyond the supports. This plus the height make it practically impossible for bears to get to hives. Apiarist access to the platform is from underneath, thru the trap door. The pickup is driven right under to receive the honey supers. He mentioned some sort of pulley/lift arrangement possible for lowering the supers. The platform he described held 24 colonies; I'm not certain but think it was enclosed/screened. He did say the guy stored the empty supers and some spare equipment right there on the platform. I hope this is somehow useful; just thought this might lend some ideas in the discussion of the bear problem. Fortunately, bears are not (yet) a problem in central NY, altho' the population of bears coming up from southern (Pennsylvania) areas is on the increase, and they are a problem within a 40 minute's drive from where I am. WIth increased pressure they could become a local nuisance in time. Later... JWG