OWDF: Watch Out For Black Bears

As black bears wake up from their winter slumber, they are hungry, and that drives them potentially into town for an easy meal. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says with a sense of smell about seven times greater than a bloodhound, bears zero in on the scent of unsecured garbage, dirty grills, bird feeders and pet food left outside. Along with highly sensitive noses, bears are smart, learn fast, and have a memory bank full of information on where they got easy meals in the past. And ODFW said those locations are where they head to first.

“Bears remember where they found food, including trash, and female bears teach their cubs. So now you have another generation of bears that seek unnatural foods and can become a safety risk to people and their pets,” said ODFW wildlife biologist Chris Shelton.

ODFW is urging those living near bear habit to be BearWise and remove these food sources. Bears that attack pets or show aggression or loss of wariness around people are a safety risk and are humanely euthanized. ODFW does not relocate habituated bears due to the danger it presents the individual bear, other bears in the release area (bears are highly mobile and often are territorial), or nearby residents or recreationists.

To keep bears and people safe, you're asked to be BearWise and follow these tips:

Never feed or approach bears. Feeding bears, intentionally or accidentally, will cause them to associate people with food. It is also against the law in Oregon (ORS 496.730)
Secure food, garbage, and recycling. Ensure trash and dumpsters are secure from bears by using commercially available garbage cans, metal bars over dumpsters, fully enclosed trash storage, or by storing garbage inside. Take trash out just before pick-up. Thoroughly wash trash cans to reduce smells. Food waste is one of the strongest attractants for black bears and allowing bears access could qualify as illegal feeding if appropriate steps are not taken to prevent the issue
Remove bird feeders when bears are active. Birds have plenty of naturally available food sources during all seasons which is why some species migrate in winter. Bears can be food rewarded from bird seed and suet in feeders leading to habituation and food conditioning, destroyed birdfeeders, and public safety issues
Never leave pet food outdoors. This practice can easily attract bears and other wildlife, putting your pets and wildlife at risk
Clean and store grills after each use.
Check your yard before letting pets out at night. Turn a porch light on and use a flashlight to check for bears before letting pets out in the dark
Clean up fruit under fruit trees
Alert neighbors and ODFW to unusual bear activity (continued sightings during daylight hours, lack of wariness around people or pets, etc.).

In the event you encounter a bear, ODFW says:

STOP: Never approach a bear at any time for any reason. If you see bear cubs, leave the area
GIVE IT SPACE: Give any bear you encounter a way to escape
STAY CALM: Do not run or make sudden movements. Face the bear and slowly back away
AVOID EYE CONTACT: Don’t make eye contact with the bear
DON’T RUN: It may encourage the bear to chase you
FIGHT BACK: In the unlikely event you are attacked, fight back, shout, be aggressive, use rocks, sticks and hands