Bear Tax | slang | The unpredictable, unquantifiable cost in yield to many British Columbian gardeners, farmers and winemakers who operate in close proximity to black bears. The animals, of which there are between 120,000 and 160,000 in the province, have voracious appetites and think nothing of digging up or rooting through vegetable plots and fruit orchards. Since they are especially fond of grapes, paying some bear tax (also “bird tax” and “deer tax”) is sometimes factored into the cost of doing business.

Usage: “We were hoping to bring in more Gewurtztraminer for this vintage but ended up losing almost 40% to the bear tax.”