Tips for deterring nuisance bears
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Officials with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife strongly encourage homeowners to take food source and food-odor prevention steps around their properties as ways to deter bears that could become a nuisance or danger.
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT — In this June 2010 photo, a black bear roams near the home of Danielle Camping on the Grimes Road in Caribou. Camping said the bears continue to access her 80-acre property and have even developed their own trail system that leads to the Aroostook River and passes by her home. While Camping keeps her grill and garbage cans locked in the garage, many homeowners don’t. Officials with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife strongly encourage homeowners to take food source and food-odor prevention steps around their properties as ways to deter bears that could become a nuisance or danger.
“It is important to remember that food odors attract bears to your back yard,” said MDIFW Wildlife Biologist Jennifer Vashon. “Garbage that is brought to the curb the night before pickup or is stored outside is a great temptation to a bear. We encourage everyone to keep their garbage inside until the morning of trash pickup.”
Bears who become dependent on people for food return to the same locations to eat and become less fearful of people, said Vashon.
“The worst case scenario is that a bear will hurt someone,” said Vashon.
To deter bears, Vashon suggests from now through Nov. 1 residents:
• Bring in your bird feeders and rake up the seed;
• Store garbage and garbage cans in the garage or basement until trash day and put cans out the mornings of pickup;
• Do not compost meats or other foods with a strong odor;
• For grills, burn off as much of the meat and grease as possible and then brush or scrape grills clean. Grills should be stored in a closed garage or shed;
• Use dumpsters with heavy metal lids that latch shut. Keep the lids and self-closing doors shut. If garbage is overflowing, contact the trash hauler to pick it up;
• If you have pets and feed them outdoors, only feed them what they will eat and clean their dishes daily;
• Store all livestock feeds in a secure location;
• Encourage your neighbors to take the same steps that you are to deter bears;
• When camping, put food and other items with an odor, including candy, toothpaste, suntan lotion and soap, in sealed containers. If camping near your vehicle, keep the sealed containers in it. Never store food or candy in your tent or sleeping quarters. If food or other odorous items cannot be stored, place them in a “bear bag” that is at least 12 feet above the ground and 10 feet from the nearest tree trunk. After meals, store all leftovers and immediately wash dishes. Dump the dishwater away from the camp or use a sump hole to filter the water, and then burn the food scraps. Carefully burn all leftover food, wrappers and grease. Don’t bury them or throw them in a latrine;
• If a bear shows up in your back yard, stay calm. Shout at it like you would to scare off an unwanted dog. Most bears are timid enough to be scared away by yelling, waving or banging pots. Check first before going outside. Black bears blend into night skies, thus providing the chance of an encounter. Use outside lights to full advantage and look outside from a safe position, such as a porch or window; and
• Never approach a bear.
For more information or to report a problem bear, contact your local law enforcement office or the Maine Warden Service by day at 435-3231 or Maine State Police barracks at 800-924-2261.