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Gonna start keeping bees

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TimBo:
You might check out Horizontal Hive dot com - they have lots of good info on natural beekeeping.  I had a couple of hives for a while, but found that even with natural beekeeping, there are some maintenance things that need done, and I did not enjoy doing them.  One swarm died, and one just packed up and left.  It was really just one too many things for me at that point.  In general though, natural beekeeping can be effective and is not as fussy as the usual modern system of requeening, medicating, feeding over the winter, etc.  I did successfully overwinter the hives; you just can't take all of the honey! 

Strelets:
The beeswax will make a great polish for your bows.

Eric Krewson:
Back when I was a kid my dad kept bees, he bought our bee suit coveralls from a place called Elza Gate salvage, the "gate" being the former guarded entrance to the atomic bomb facility in Oak Ridge Tn. He didn't pay more than 50 cents for coveralls, this was in the late 50s.

I was a Boy Scout at the time, I wanted to earn beekeeping merit badge which required me to rob a hive on my own. I donned my complete bee suit, coveralls, hood, gloves, I used my smoker to calm the bees  and took the top off the hive.  I soon found out why the coveralls were only 50 cents, the pair I had chosen had a small hole in the crotch. In a matter of seconds 13 bees found that hole and charged into it with a vengeance. Once inside they all found an inviting target and stung in unison, all 13 of them.

I imaging this must have been an amusing sight, quite similar a bowlegged cowboy riding an angry bull along with all the bucking and gyrations except I did it without the bull.

Needless to say I abandoned my plans for the merit badge that day, I ran by the hive, tossed the top back on and took off for the house leaving a trail of beekeeping garb and finally the bargain basement coveralls in my wake.

A week or so later after the swelling went down I robbed the hive and completed the project, in a different pair of coveralls of course.

 

BowEd:
Many times depending on the type of day it is when I will check on bee hives with no protective gear at all.On sunny days workers are gone.Less bees around.On cloudy days more bees at home in the hive.We use carnolian type bees or hybrids of them.Russian bees are very aggressive.They "do not" like someone tapping or thumping against the box.
I usually keep my smoker handy but sometimes don't even use it.
The protective equipment I use is minimal.A screened head unit/long leather gloves/and regular clothes tucked in well.Some basic tools needed also which don't cost all that much.Many ways to cut costs.Make your own hive boxes and nukes too.
Robin at times did not tuck her shirt in.She paid for it a couple of times too.With her long hair the bees stayed with her screaming all the way back to the house.
I once was mowing around my hives when my mower got stuck on an ant mound right by the hive.That was not fun.Got stung at least 4 or 5 times around my eye.
Timbos' correct you should leave the main hive frames alone and full for them for the winter.Otherwise they'll starve.Only take honey from the supers.
JW's suggestion of supplying a place for a bee keeper is smart.Just need to be sure there is plenty of blooming fauna around to supply the hive.Along the way you'll have a mentor to teach you about bees.
Mason bees are a good idea too by DC,but no honey then either.
Bees will travel they say up to 4 miles while foraging for pollen.
All in all it's a very interesting hobby.Much to learn.A lot more than I can state.I'd get a book and you still will need to learn along the way yet.Every year can be different.

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