Judge tells Ore. woman who fed bears she has to stay away from her home for 3 years

Ore. woman who fed bears ousted from house

NEWPORT, Ore. — Karen Noyes often fed the black bears that came to her home near the Oregon coast. Then things got out of hand. One hungry bear stormed a neighbor’s barn and killed 60 turkeys. Another got stuck in a doggie door. Noyes asked wildlife officers to help remove the bears, but it was too late.

Now, they’re all being chased from the rural area near Yachats as authorities try to restore the peace.

The 61-year-old Noyes was convicted of harassing wildlife and sentenced Thursday to three years probation.

Judge Thomas Branford also ordered her to stay away from her home and a seven-mile stretch of Yachats River Road for three years, beginning Aug. 31.

When humans feed bears, wildlife experts say, the bears lose their fear of humans and can become nuisances.

Information from: The Oregonian, www.oregonlive.com