As fall sets in, bears are beginning their annual fall eat-a-thon, known as hyperphagia, as they prepare for winter. This intense feeding period begins in late summer when berries and fruits ripen and peaks when fruits like pears, apples, and plums become available. During this time, bears spend up to 20 hours a day foraging for food. ODFW is urging Oregon residents, vacation rental managers, and visitors to secure attractants and prevent bears from accessing trash, bird seed, pet food, livestock and poultry feed and other tempting food sources – including dirty diapers (yes, this is true). If these types of food are easily accessible, bears won’t turn down an easy meal. Bears that become used to “people food” can pose a serious safety risk to people.
Oregon is bear country and coastal residents and visitors need to be especially vigilant as bears are common along the Oregon coast. However, the responsibility also falls on vacation rental managers and guests to contribute to responsible coexistence with bears. ODFW strongly encourages property managers to provide bear-resistant trash cans and educate guests about BearWise tips to minimize the risk of bear encounters or issues.
“One of the primary attractants for bears is unsecured trash,” said Skyler Gerrity, ODFW Assistant Wildlife Biologist. “Bears have an exceptional sense of smell and can detect food from miles away. Leaving trash cans unsecured or accessible can lead to bears rummaging through garbage, creating a dangerous situation for both parties involved.”
Bears not only remember where they have found food before, but female bears pass this knowledge down to their young. Feeding bears, whether intentional or accidental, can have long-lasting negative effects on multiple generations of bears. The good news is that most conflict between humans and bears is preventable. Bears don't want to be around humans, but the prospect of an easy meal is often too good to resist. Removing things that attract them to the area is the most important thing you can do to protect people and ensure bears stay healthy and wild.
Never feed or approach bears. Feeding bears, whether you mean to or not, will cause them to associate humans with food. It is also against the law in Oregon (ORS 496.730).
Secure food, garbage and recycling. Ensure trash, compost bins and dumpsters are secure by using locking or screw-on lids, metal bars over dumpsters, or fully enclosed trash storage. Take trash out immediately before pick-up, not the night before pickup.
Remove bird feeders. Birds have plenty of naturally available food sources.
Feed pets inside and store food indoors. Pet food attracts bears and other wildlife, putting your pets and wildlife at risk.
Clean and store grills after each use.
Alert neighbors to unusual bear activity (continued sightings during daylight hours, lack of wariness around humans or pets, etc.). Share these tips with your neighbors!
These simple yet effective steps will go a long way to avoid conflict and keep bears and people safe. Contact your local district ODFW office if you need assistance with a bear-human conflict or observe unusual or aggressive behavior from a bear. Report human safety concerns to Oregon State Police. Learn more: https://myodfw.com/articles/help-keep-bears-wild
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