Bears are awake and on the move, and the DNR is passing along what precautions homeowners should take to avoid conflicts with hungry bears. Bears usually avoid contact with people, but learn to associate humans with food if sources are available. Wildlife Biologist Brad Koele says if a bear finds a bird feeder or garbage near your home it will likely return, but visits will stop when food is no longer available.
“…the other thing that’s important is if you do have a bear that’s coming to a food source or there, make loud noises, harass it, throw rocks at it just to try and reinforce the negative interaction with humans, that way they don’t become habituated and learn to approach humans for food.”
Koele says homeowners should remove their birdfeeders and clean up any spilled seed, rinse recycled cans before putting in the recycling bin and keep meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day. He says homeowners with pets should keep their pet’s food inside and to never break up a fight between their pet and a bear.
Koele anyone with bear problems is to call the USDA Wildlife Service.
