Bear near Roaring Brook Road (Photo by JohnnyC)

Bear near Roaring Brook Road (Photo by JohnnyC)

In addition to rain showers visiting Killington on a regular basis this summer, visits by Eastern Black Bears are also on the rise around towm.

While occasional bear sightings are nothing new, this year there seems to be a larger bear population in the area than normal. Over the last 12 years at the inn, we have never noticed a bear on the property. We pay particular attention to our trash dumpster, as this is prime pickings for wild life. In the last couple of weeks, the situation has changed. Up and down the Killington Road dumpsters have been "raided" by a bear making the "circuit". Dumpsters up and down the road are sprouting tie down straps to make it harder for the late night poacher to get inside and make a mess.

During the day, many of our friends have reported bear sightings along the roads in the area. Today's picture is from JohnnyC, the gentleman who cuts our lawn at the inn. He lives approximately 800 yards away from the inn as the crow flies. He took this picture from his front deck of a black bear walking at the edge of the forest in his yard. No special camera or telephoto lens...JohhnyC was just up close and personal with a black bear in his back yard.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has published a lot of information on Black Bears in Vermont. Follow the link for more information.