11/02/2025
Running a farm is gratifying most of the time. making something from nothing, being one with nature and managing livestock in a way that benefits them and us.. but just when things seem like they're going just right Mother nature deals us a curveball just to keep us on our toes. If it's an ice or wind storm blowing down trees in the woods forcing us to repair tubing,chipmunks and squirrels chewing on tubing ,snow storms limiting our ability to access the woods. Or black bears that want what they want..
it's been a real trying week at one particular bee yard. It's the same beeyard that a little over a year ago I had the same struggles with likely the very same bear.. I have modified the fence I have changed the charger I tested every time I'm there and there is more than 7,000 volts in that fence the problem is bears fur is so thick that they don't always conduct to actually get a shock unless they touch their nose on the fence. Typically I would just pick the hives up and move them unfortunately they're so heavy for winter I can't move them. I have strapped all the boxes and double check the fence we're going to keep our fingers crossed that it goes and finds another means of entertainment or that one of the hunters in the area can fill their tag.. it was a very costly week .. so far I lost eight colonies and lots of destroyed or damaged equipment...
