Spring is here, and so are hungry bears waking from hibernation! To ensure the safety of both residents and wildlife, let's take simple steps to prevent bear encounters.
Bears love an easy meal, and shared garbage areas, fruit trees, and outdoor food sources can draw them in. Once they find food, they keep coming back, creating safety risks for everyone.
Quick Tips to Keep Bears Away
- Secure Your Garbage
- Keep garbage locked up until collection day.
- Never leave food scraps or trash outside overnight.
- Remove Tempting Food Sources
- Pick up fallen fruit and avoid bird feeders in warmer months.
- Keep BBQs clean and pet food stored inside.
- Stay Alert & Report Sightings
- If you see a bear, keep your distance and don’t approach.
- Report sightings to local wildlife authorities.
- Be Cautious Outdoors
- Walk in groups, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Keep pets leashed to prevent bear encounters.
Encountering a Bear: Best Practices
- Don’t Run: Back away slowly while keeping the bear in sight.
- Make Yourself Big: Raise your arms and speak firmly.
- Don’t Feed It: This encourages bears to return.
- Seek Shelter: If the bear doesn’t leave, go inside and report it.
Bear safety is a team effort, and we encourage the community to follow these best practices. For more information, check with your local wildlife authority.
