BEAR NOTES: Act now to keep Pennsylvania’s bear population from
becoming a nuisance in your neighborhood this summer.

That’s the word today from the Pennsylvania Game Commission
which notes that the state’s 14,000 black bears have emerged form
hibernation, and are scouting for food.

Mark Ternent, Pennsylvania Game Commission black bear biologist,
said that bear sightings are common during this time of year as
they search in earnest for nourishment – which can be in your yard,
your garbage, your bird feeder.

But bears that wander near residential areas in search of food
are less likely to stay or return if they do not find anything
rewarding.

“Conversely, if bears find food in your backyard they quickly
learn to associate residential areas with food and begin to spend
more time in those areas. Encounters between humans and bears
increase, as does property damage, the risk of human injury and
vehicle accidents involving bears,” he said.

“Food placed outside for any reason – whether it is food for
wildlife, pets or unsecured garbage – is food available for bears.
Homeowners should begin now to remove food sources or make them
unavailable to bears.”

Ternent has suggestions that could prevent attracting bears to a
property:

Do not feed wildlife. Food placed outside for wildlife, such as
corn for squirrels, may attract bears. Even bird feeders can
become “bear magnets.” Feeding birds during the winter months is
not a problem, but at other times of the year you run the risk of
attracting problem bears.

If you do chose to feed songbirds during the summer, Audubon
Pennsylvania offers some tips, including: avoid foods that are
particularly attractive for bears, such as sunflower seeds,
hummingbird nectar mixes or suet; bring feeders inside at night; or
suspend feeders from high crosswires so they are at least 10 feet
above the ground and four feet from anything a bear can climb,
including overhead limbs.

Keep it clean. Don’t put out garbage until pick-up day; don’t
throw table scraps out back; don’t add fruit or vegetable wastes to
your compost pile; and clean your barbecue grill regularly.

Keep your distance. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay
calm. Shout at it like you would to chase an unwanted dog. Don’t
approach it. If the bear won’t leave, call the nearest Game
Commission regional office or local police department for
assistance.