Bears’ internal alarm clocks start ringing in March, with many adult male bears emerging from their dens during the month of March. Next to wake up will be juveniles of both sexes, then female bears with yearlings and solitary females. Mother bears with newborn cubs are the last to poke their noses out into the world. After not eating or drinking for several months, it’s time for water, stretching and wandering around. Soon after getting their bearings, bears start looking for food.

Walk around your yard and near your home to see if there’s anything “interesting”…

  • Many meals’ worth of nutrients can be found in the average family’s trash. Is your trash stored in a bear-resistant container or stored inside a bear-resistant locked building until the morning of pick up?
  • Bird feeders full of nutritious birdseed are one of the top things that  attract bears to homes, so don’t take any chances. Bring your bird feeders in at night, or better yet, opt for feeder-free methods that will help you attract even more birds and help keep bears wild.
  • Don’t leave food, pet food, or anything else with an odor on your screened-in porch or deck overnight or inside a vehicle parked outside.
  • Pet food is loaded with calories. Feed pets indoors. Or if you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions, remove food dishes as soon as pets have eaten and clean up any mess.

Thanks for helping keep bears out in the wild and away from homes and neighborhoods.


Courtesy of BearWise® |  http://www.BearWise.org