Many Vermont bumpers are adorned with the infamous bumper sticker “Buy Local”. Well Vermont bears are not paying for the local Vermont honey that they are eating…

“Hi this is Linda, we think that a bear toppled over one of your hives, there was one down the road a few days ago, we’re about to leave so there’s nothing that we can do about it. Good luck”.

Just like that, Scott’s plans for running out to work were deterred as we grabbed our beeyard gear and clothing, hopped into our Ford Escape, (if only we could escape) and drove to our third apiary yard in the town of Hinesburg.

Through the tall wildflowers and weeds it was unmistakably visible that one of the hives was toppled over. We parked the SUV, geared up and made our way to the hive. I took on the role of historian, and started snapping picture after picture, as Scott and I discussed how we should handle the state of affairs. We were pleased that the hive’s woodenware wasn’t completely damaged. Many of the bees still seemed to be working the hive from the various positions that the boxes were strewn on the ground. In the midst of mayhem it is a blessing when the positive begins to be seen above the disorder. We we’re thrilled to see how well the honeycomb was drawn out, (even though the bear ate a bunch of it) and that so many bees remained. Yes the frames from the super were mangled, and some of the frames broken, but as a whole, like I said, the actual hive boxes were fine.

To read the full story of the bear taking our Vermont honey view here.