Temperatures have warmed up in the North, which means bears are starting to come out of hibernation.
The Northern Bear Awareness Society is reminding everyone to not only stay clear of bears, but to also reduce attractants.
Board of Director President, Nicole Botten said bears will follow their noses, even if you think your garbage isn’t smelly.
“We ask everybody from March 1st to November to keep your garbage contained somewhere. I know that some people don’t have a garage to keep it in, which is a great choice if you do have it.”
“A few years ago, we were advising people to try using a ratchet strap, and that’s taken off really well.”
Botten said a bear may still try and access garbage, even with a ratchet strap, adding it’s a good idea to secure the garbage to something stationary so it doesn’t get dragged around.
Other ways to reduce attractants is to keep food waste in a freezer until garbage day, replace bird feeders with bird baths, and if you’re gardening, to make it manageable.
Across the province, 2024 saw 10,000 less reported black bear conflicts compared to the year prior, which Botten said may not continue this year.
She said they can kind of predict there may be more bears around this year than last, based on previous activity over the years.
She believes last year was a good year for natural bear foods, which would result in healthy bears able to produce more offspring.
More information regarding bears and managing attractants can be found here.
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