This year’s bear season may prove to be particularly challenging for Coast bears as natural food sources may be depleted in what are predicted to be significant drought conditions. Please manage all garbage and attractants to prevent bears from obtaining food rewards and please do not let bears become comfortable near your home. Shoo them along by clapping your hands, yelling, flapping a garbage bag or quickly opening and closing an umbrella from a safe location.
Where possible, store garbage and organics in an enclosed carport or bearproof structure. If you must store bins outside secure them to a stationary object to prevent being tipped over by a bear. Spraying bins with PineSol (original scent) can help to deter a curious bear. Never place bins at the curbside until the morning of collection. Rinse all recyclables.
Birdfeeders are a major attractant. Ideally, remove bird feeders (including hummingbird feeders) April through November. Instead, attract birds to your yard with water or sand baths, colorful shrubs and bird houses.
Fruit trees are another attractant: consider picking fruit early and ripening inside and do not let fallen fruit accumulate on the ground.
If you feed pets outside, bring dishes in at night and store pet food inside.
Clean barbeques by burning off uncooked food and emptying the grease container.
Protect chickens, bee hives and other small livestock with electric fencing.
Always have your canine companions under your control, especially when walking through forested areas.
Keep vehicles free of any attractants (food and beverages and containers, pet food or livestock feed, recycling, scented products and toiletries), keep windows and car doors locked at all times.
While hiking in forested areas or walking local trails do not wear headphones and always alert bears to your presence.
Make extra noise around water features where a bear may not hear your approach.
Carry bear spray and have it accessible. If you are biking on the trails, you may be moving quickly such that a bear may not hear your approach: make some noise to announce your presence.
And if you see a bear crossing a roadway, please take a moment to make sure that no cubs are ambling along after a mother bear.
You can go to scbearalliance.com for more information or contact us at:
