It doesn't take a lot of effort to start bird watching. Even novices can spend time appreciating the variety of feathery visitors that bird feeders draw to their yards. However, bird feeders can bring some unwanted visitors as well. While typically the unwanted visitors are squirrels stealing seeds from feeders or maybe raccoons and skunks, one New Hampshire feeder raider was just a little bit bigger: a black bear and her cubs.
The hungry ursines couldn't resist the birdseed on the porch and it quickly became apparent to TikTok user flgirlinnh that the feeders couldn't stay on the porch railing anymore. She built a massive 14-foot tall feeder hanger out of 4-inch rigid conduit to solve the problem. However, the galvanized steel apparatus didn't quite keep the bears away. The creative mammals still found a way to go after the easy meal.
@flgirlinnh Please enable Javascript to view this content Bottom of pole is greased, so bear climbs up to the deck. He channels his inner squirrel and goes for it. He almost hangs on half way down the pole.. then NOPE! #NH #hethinkshesasquirrel #jumpfails
The TikTok video shows the bear climbing onto the deck and leaping onto the pole. The original poster explained: "Bottom of (the) pole is greased, so bear climbs up to the deck. He channels his inner squirrel and goes for it. He almost hangs on halfway down the pole.. then nope!" It was a solid effort, and the bear gave it his all.
The video was an instant viral hit, and commenters had a lot of fun with the situation. One wrote, "Who taught Smokey how to use the fire pole?" Another viewer quickly followed with, "Only you can prevent forest fires, and the bear is in training to become a firefighter."
Another commenter pointed out how impressive it was that the pole withstood the 600-pound animal hanging off of it in the first place. The sturdy pole holding the feeder is also incredibly tall for easy refilling, which led one viewer to ask: "I just want to know how they change their hummingbird feeder every two days when it's that high up."
Not to leave her commenters, er, hanging, the original poster replied: "We take down the feeders every night after sunset. We use a very long hook. The heavy seed feeders have fallen off the hook a time or two."
Many commenters familiar with the area were not surprised that this happened in New Hampshire. One wrote: "Of course, this is in New Hampshire. The bears here are bold."
