Sep 08, 2011


by Steve Blight

Black bears live throughout much of Ontario and are relatively common in the northern parts of our area. They prefer forested areas where they are best able to find food, refuge and den sites. Just last week a medium-sized bear crossed in front of me as I was driving along a gravel road not far from Sharbot Lake. No brakes were required since I was going at a leisurely pace and the bear crossed about 20 metres in front of me. I love seeing bears in the wild – but I admit that I was pleased to have layers of thick glass and metal between the bruin and me.

When they are not hibernating, bears spend most of their time looking for food – somewhat like teenage boys. In the summer, bears eat berries such as blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. In the fall, they turn their attention to hazelnuts, mountain ash berries, acorns and beech nuts. While black bears will eat carrion, insects, fish, deer and moose calves, the bulk of their diet is made up of plants. They like to find lots of high energy food – like huge berry patches – that will help them fatten up fast. Their survival and ability to have young depends on them doubling their weight before winter hibernation.

Bears den up in late October or early November, and that is where the adult females give birth if they are carrying young. In January or early February they generally have two or three tiny cubs – weighing about 250 grams (or about ½ pound) each. Bears emerge from their dens in mid-April and begin their endless search for food.

Bears usually avoid humans, but they are attracted to human settlements to get food. They will topple bird feeders, ransack barbecues, raid garbage cans and even try to enter buildings if they think they can get food. When they learn that they can find food where people live, bears will return again and again. Garbage, bird and pet food, and smells like grease and food residue on barbecues attract bears to our homes and cottages.

I was recently at a meeting of bear scientists and managers in Ottawa, and the consensus among the experts was that there is no such thing as a problem bear – only problem human behaviour. Bears can always be expected to be looking for food, and conflicts can very often be prevented if we are willing to make small changes in some of our habits. One bear expert noted that the best thing that has happened in bear management in Canada’s national parks over the past 30 years was the introduction of the metal bear-proof garbage container. This seemingly minor step has drastically reduced the need to destroy bears that become used to human garbage and become safety risks.

Clearly the best way to avoid conflicts with bears is to not attract them to your house or cottage in the first place. The following tips for handling food and food waste around homes and cottages come from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Bear Wise web page

www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Bearwise.Good food management is a great way to help make sure bears and people can continue to share the fields and forests of the Land O’ Lakes for a long time to come.

Put garbage in metal containers that have tight-fitting lids (bear-resistant), and put them out only on the morning of garbage day, not the night before.

If you do not have curbside pick-up, take your garbage to the dump often.

Frequently wash garbage cans and recycling containers and lids with a strong smelling disinfectant.

Fill bird feeders only through the winter months.

Do not leave pet food outdoors.

Avoid landscaping around your house with trees, shrubs or plants that produce food known to attract bears (such as crab apple trees, mountain ash).

Do not put meat, fish or sweet food (including fruit) in your composter.

Pick all ripe fruit from trees and bushes.

Remove grease and food residue from barbecue grills, including the grease cup underneath, after each use.

Send your observations to Lorraine Julien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Steve Blight, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Please feel free to report any observations to Lorraine Julien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Steve Blight at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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