Copyright 2015 linkinglewiscounty.com  all rights reserved       privacy policy here
DEC Issues Guidance to Reduce Bear-Human Conflicts

July 01, 2019   12:45 p.m.
Shop for 2016 NFL Drafted Player Jerseys at NFLShop.com
Subscribe to our
YouTube Channel
    From the NYS DEC:

    DEC Issues Guidance to Reduce Bear-Human Conflicts

    Recent Rise in Bear Sightings Confirms Young Bears Are on the Move

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
    Commissioner Basil Seggos today issued guidance to reduce the potential for
    human-bear conflicts.

    "Black bears have recently been reported in a number of suburban locations,"
    said Commissioner Seggos. "DEC is urging homeowners and property managers
    to follow the simple steps and guidance to keep bears from taking up residence
    in an area, including storing garbage in secure buildings, removing bird feeders,
    and feeding pets indoors. Preventing access to food sources is key to preventing
    nuisance bears."

    Conflicts between people and bears typically increase in summer months due to
    the dispersal of young bears from family groups, the onset of the breeding
    season, and a lull in natural food availability prior to the ripening of local berries
    and other natural food sources. These conditions occasionally cause bears to
    travel through unfamiliar areas. Bears will take advantage of anything they
    consider a food source as they travel, adding to the potential for conflict. The
    most common attractants are poorly stored garbage, bird feeders, messy grills,
    and pet food left outdoors. Once a bear finds these foods, it will often continue to
    return to the area in hopes of finding the same food again.

    When bears have access to human foods, it encourages behaviors that can put
    bears at risk. While bears can be intimidating, they generally shy away from
    getting into conflicts with people. The bears seen recently are mostly young
    individuals dispersing from their natural habitat, searching for new suitable
    habitat. If bears find reliable food sources near human residences, they may
    become temporarily established in green spaces in urban and suburban areas.

    Bears will avoid large groups of people. If a bear is seen in a community,
    residents should simply be aware of the bear's presence and avoid any
    interaction with it.

    DEC staff and local police officers will sometimes attempt to direct a bear toward
    a better location, away from developed areas, but this is not always possible.
    Nearly all urban bears leave as quickly and quietly as they appear, without
    serious conflict or need for physical removal.

    Residents and visitors should take the following steps to avoid attracting and
    creating nuisance bears:

    NEVER FEED BEARS INTENTIONALLY - Feeding bears intentionally is illegal
    and a ticketable offense. Bears that obtain food from humans will continue to
    seek food from humans and become nuisance bears.

    Around Dwellings

  • Remove all bird feeders;
  • Keep garbage, grills, pet food, and bird seed inside a solid, secure structure
    (house, shed, garage, etc.);
  • If grills cannot be secured, move grills away from houses and remove
    grease traps after each use;
  • Put garbage on the curb the morning of collection, not the night before, and
    use bear-resistant trash containers; and
  • Close garage doors and ground-floor windows/doors at night.

    At Campgrounds

  • Keep campsites as clean as possible;
  • Clean up after all meals immediately. Keep grills, pots, pans, cooking
    utensils, and wash basins clean when not in use;
  • Leave coolers and food inside car trunks or truck cabs;
  • Store food and coolers in food lockers when available;
  • NEVER keep food, coolers, or scented items in tents when camping. Store
    toiletries securely with coolers and food;
  • Do not put grease, garbage, plastic diapers, cans, bottles, or other refuse
    into the fireplace; and
  • Dispose of garbage in the campground's dumpsters every evening.

    In the Backcountry

  • Pack a minimal amount of food. Use lightweight and dehydrated foods. Plan
    all meals to avoid leftovers;
  • Use bear-resistant food canisters, which are required in the Eastern High
    Peaks Wilderness of the Adirondack Park;
  • Cook and eat before dark and cook away from campsites;
  • Avoid spills and drippings while cooking and do not pour grease into fire
    pits; and
  • Never leave food unattended.

    If you encounter a bear

  • Don't panic. Most bears are just as afraid of people as people are of bears;
  • Never approach, surround, or corner a bear;
  • Back away slowly - do not run;
  • Do not throw backpacks or food at bears. If bears are rewarded with food,
    they will continue to seek food from people; and
  • If feeling threatened by a bear, raise your arms over your head to look
    bigger and yell loudly at the bear while slowly backing away.

    More information on avoiding and creating conflicts with nuisance bears is
    available on DEC's website.