[ODFW-News] Good judgment and common sense can help prevent bear problems

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Information and Education: 503-947-6002	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: 503-947-6009


For Immediate Release	Friday, July 30, 2004

Good judgment and common sense can help prevent bear problems

SALEM - Like many Oregonians, black bears anxiously await the ripening
of berry crops and the other tasty food sources that summer brings. In
the absence of these awaited resources, bears often look elsewhere for
food, and find camp kitchens, pet food bowls and garbage cans
irresistible.

The result is an increase in bear activity near humans where outdoor
food sources are prevalent. Outdoor recreationists need to be especially
careful when camping, fishing, barbequing and engaging in other
wilderness activities that involve food.

Biologists have found that many problem bears will concentrate in a
small area when people unintentionally or intentionally feed bears with
human food. People can take an active role in preventing potentially
dangerous bear encounters by using common sense and good judgment when
storing or disposing food and food waste while in forest areas and in
their backyards. Pet foods also are an attractant and need to be treated
in the same manner as human food when in the outdoors or residing in
areas where bears may be found.

ODFW will not capture and relocate a bear habituated to humans. 

"We really hate to put down a bear, but research shows that bears
accustomed to finding food near human dwellings will become repeat
offenders and that becomes a safety issue," said Don VandeBergh, ODFW
wildlife biologist. 

Removing a bear usually doesn't end the problem, VandeBergh noted. 
"If people don't change their behavior and continue to make food
accessible, another bear often comes along, attracted to the same food
source as the first bear," he said. 

What can Oregonians do? 

ODFW biologists suggest the following preventive measures:
* Secure your garbage cans in a garage, shed or behind a fence (chain
link or electric).
* Clean cans regularly with bleach to cut odors.
* Freeze garbage in bags and put the bags in the can just before
garbage pick-up, not the night before.
* Add mothballs or sprinkle bleach on household garbage in the can as a
deterrent.
* Take garbage with you when leaving your vacation home or ask a
neighbor to put out the garbage for you just before pick-up.
* Don't feed pets outside, but if you must feed outdoors, bring in
the food at night.
* Hang bird feeders from a wire eight feet off the ground, but be aware
that seed or suet that drops may still attract bears. Bringing feeders
inside in the evening also may help deter bears.
* Remove or eliminate anything that attracts bears. For example, pick
fruit from trees and store it in a secure area.
* Talk to neighbors to encourage everyone to remove attractants.
* Let your local law enforcement or health departments know about
unsanitary garbage problems in your neighborhood.
* Continue to assume bears are around if you live in an area where
bears have been seen, even if no recent problems have surfaced.
      
Bears often pass through an area unnoticed and if they're not
attracted to a food source they move on, according to VandeBergh. With
interactions between bears and human populations increasing, people can
play a responsible role in preventing problems or potential injuries.
For more information on bears, callODFW at 800-720-6339, Ext. 76002 and
request the brochure, "Living with Wildlife: Black Bear." The
brochure also may be found on ODFW's Web site at
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/InfoCntrWild/blackbear3.pdf .

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