In response to Joyce Marcel's June 1 column, let me tell you of Vail, Colo.'s major problem with “trash bears,” “hummingbird feeder bears,” and “birdfeeder-and-dog-bowl bears.”
Several years ago, upset at the number of bears euthanized as repeat offenders - and run down on local roads - the Vail Town Council passed an ordinance requiring bear-proof trash containers for all residents using trash/garbage pick-up. Residents were further required stow the containers inside, except during the daylight hours of their pick-up days.
Further, all feeders and other attractive hazards had to be taken in at night.
The local haulers were happy to sell us new containers at decreasing prices over the course of a year, and with local homeowners eager to report non-conformers, there is now no problem with trash bears in Vail.
In fact, the success of the program has spawned similar ones in towns in our county in Colorado.
Perhaps Windham County, which I visit periodically, could benefit from a similar program.