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Bear problems often are avoidable
MDC
6/13/03
Understanding black bears' seasonal behavior helps campers and landowners avoid potentially dangerous confrontations.
JEFFERSON CITY--Several times this month, Missourians will look out back doors or camper windows and be startled to see black bears chowing down on dog food or rummaging around in garbage. In most cases, the marauding bruins will scamper into the woods at the first sign of human activity, never to be seen again. But for a few people, the encounter will prove troublesome or even dangerous.
The Missouri Department of Conservation estimates the state's bear population at 150 to 300 animals. This small number, together with the animals= shy nature, makes bear encounters relatively rare. Still, the agency receives more than 200 reports of black bear sightings each year.
In Missouri, the number of nuisance bear reports begins to climb in April and peaks from mid-May to mid-June. Conservation Department furbearer biologist Dave Hamilton says a little knowledge goes a long way toward preventing such encounters from turning into serious trouble.
"This is a very difficult time for bears," said Hamilton. "When the weather warms up they get more active. Bear food is scarce this time of year, and they get really hungry."
Bears are constantly alert for new food sources in early summer. Sometimes their hunger overwhelms their natural shyness. If they smell livestock feed, garbage or even birdseed, they may venture close to homes or businesses to check it out.
Compounding the problem is the fact that female bears with two-year-old cubs chase off their young at this time of year so they can mate again. Young, inexperienced bears may resort to food sources that more experienced adults would avoid.
Young male bears move miles away from their mother's home range in search of territory to call their own. Many of the young bears seen in Missouri at this time of year are males dispersing from northern Arkansas, where bears are more numerous.
"Bears are still enough of a novelty in Missouri that most people are excited when they see one rummaging around in their back yard," said Hamilton. "But unless they are discouraged right away, bears can develop unhealthy habits. By the time people's excitement wears off, the bear's natural fear of humans may have decreased to the point where it is a danger to property or, in rare cases, even people. At that point, the bear is in danger itself."
Hamilton said most bear problems occur in Iron, Shannon, Carter, Ripley, Reynolds, Howell, Ozark, Barry, Taney, Christian, Stone and Douglas counties. In recent years, however, the Conservation Department has had a few scattered reports of bears in the northern half of the state.
Hamilton urges people who live in areas where bears have been seen to keep pet food and other foodstuffs where bears can't reach them. Even bird feeders can be targets of bear foraging. If bears are known to frequent your area, it is a good idea to clean up seed residues beneath feeders and stop feeding birds during the summer. An alternative is to bring feeders inside at night.
It's also a good idea to keep pet and livestock food out of bear's reach. Feed dogs and cats indoors. If you must feed them outdoors, clean up spilled food and place food dishes inside after each meal. Store pet food in airtight containers in locked storage areas.
Other helpful tips include:
--Clean up outdoor grills after each use and store them in sheds.
--Put garbage out the morning of collection.
--Double bag garbage.
--Pour half a cup of ammonia in trash bags.
--Don't place meat or sweet food scraps in your compost pile.
--Never cook, eat or store food in tents or sleeping areas when camping.
----Keep food locked inside vehicles when not in use. If a bear enters your campsite, get inside your vehicle and stay there until the bear leaves.
--Never intentionally feed bears.
Attacks by black bears (the only kind found in Missouri) are rare. Most occur because the animal is frightened or is defending its cubs against a perceived threat. Black bears are excellent climbers, so trees offer little refuge.
Hamilton recommends talking, whistling or making other sounds to warn bears of your approach when hiking. If you encounter a bear and it has not seen you, leave the area quietly and quickly.
If the bear is aware of your presence, avoid making eye contact, which bears perceive as a threat. Back away while speaking in a normal tone of voice. Don't run or make sudden movements.
Bears' poor vision sometimes makes it difficult for them to identify humans, even at close range. In such situations, bears often stand on their hind legs and lift their noses high in the air. This is not a threat. The bear is just trying to use its keen sense of smell to find out what you are.
Avoid making a bear feel cornered. Black bears seldom attack if they can retreat. On a trail, step off the trail on the downhill side and slowly leave the area.
If you see a cub, move slowly and calmly away from it. Be on the lookout for other cubs and avoid getting near them, which could trigger adult bears' protective parental instincts.
If attacked, fight back. Black bears have been driven away when people fought back with rocks, sticks, even bare hands.
Hamilton noted that bears are protected by the Wildlife Code of Missouri. People usually can scare bears away from campgrounds or homes by shouting or banging pots and pans. If these measures don't deter a bear, call your county conservation agent or the nearest Conservation Department office.
"The Conservation Department has people trained to deal with bear problems of all kinds," said Hamilton. "Like most Missourians, we are thrilled that bears are slowly returning to our forests. They are an exciting and important part of Missouri's wildlife, and when conflicts arise, we can handle them."
- Jim Low -
MDC
6/13/03
Understanding black bears' seasonal behavior helps campers and landowners avoid potentially dangerous confrontations.
JEFFERSON CITY--Several times this month, Missourians will look out back doors or camper windows and be startled to see black bears chowing down on dog food or rummaging around in garbage. In most cases, the marauding bruins will scamper into the woods at the first sign of human activity, never to be seen again. But for a few people, the encounter will prove troublesome or even dangerous.
The Missouri Department of Conservation estimates the state's bear population at 150 to 300 animals. This small number, together with the animals= shy nature, makes bear encounters relatively rare. Still, the agency receives more than 200 reports of black bear sightings each year.
In Missouri, the number of nuisance bear reports begins to climb in April and peaks from mid-May to mid-June. Conservation Department furbearer biologist Dave Hamilton says a little knowledge goes a long way toward preventing such encounters from turning into serious trouble.
"This is a very difficult time for bears," said Hamilton. "When the weather warms up they get more active. Bear food is scarce this time of year, and they get really hungry."
Bears are constantly alert for new food sources in early summer. Sometimes their hunger overwhelms their natural shyness. If they smell livestock feed, garbage or even birdseed, they may venture close to homes or businesses to check it out.
Compounding the problem is the fact that female bears with two-year-old cubs chase off their young at this time of year so they can mate again. Young, inexperienced bears may resort to food sources that more experienced adults would avoid.
Young male bears move miles away from their mother's home range in search of territory to call their own. Many of the young bears seen in Missouri at this time of year are males dispersing from northern Arkansas, where bears are more numerous.
"Bears are still enough of a novelty in Missouri that most people are excited when they see one rummaging around in their back yard," said Hamilton. "But unless they are discouraged right away, bears can develop unhealthy habits. By the time people's excitement wears off, the bear's natural fear of humans may have decreased to the point where it is a danger to property or, in rare cases, even people. At that point, the bear is in danger itself."
Hamilton said most bear problems occur in Iron, Shannon, Carter, Ripley, Reynolds, Howell, Ozark, Barry, Taney, Christian, Stone and Douglas counties. In recent years, however, the Conservation Department has had a few scattered reports of bears in the northern half of the state.
Hamilton urges people who live in areas where bears have been seen to keep pet food and other foodstuffs where bears can't reach them. Even bird feeders can be targets of bear foraging. If bears are known to frequent your area, it is a good idea to clean up seed residues beneath feeders and stop feeding birds during the summer. An alternative is to bring feeders inside at night.
It's also a good idea to keep pet and livestock food out of bear's reach. Feed dogs and cats indoors. If you must feed them outdoors, clean up spilled food and place food dishes inside after each meal. Store pet food in airtight containers in locked storage areas.
Other helpful tips include:
--Clean up outdoor grills after each use and store them in sheds.
--Put garbage out the morning of collection.
--Double bag garbage.
--Pour half a cup of ammonia in trash bags.
--Don't place meat or sweet food scraps in your compost pile.
--Never cook, eat or store food in tents or sleeping areas when camping.
----Keep food locked inside vehicles when not in use. If a bear enters your campsite, get inside your vehicle and stay there until the bear leaves.
--Never intentionally feed bears.
Attacks by black bears (the only kind found in Missouri) are rare. Most occur because the animal is frightened or is defending its cubs against a perceived threat. Black bears are excellent climbers, so trees offer little refuge.
Hamilton recommends talking, whistling or making other sounds to warn bears of your approach when hiking. If you encounter a bear and it has not seen you, leave the area quietly and quickly.
If the bear is aware of your presence, avoid making eye contact, which bears perceive as a threat. Back away while speaking in a normal tone of voice. Don't run or make sudden movements.
Bears' poor vision sometimes makes it difficult for them to identify humans, even at close range. In such situations, bears often stand on their hind legs and lift their noses high in the air. This is not a threat. The bear is just trying to use its keen sense of smell to find out what you are.
Avoid making a bear feel cornered. Black bears seldom attack if they can retreat. On a trail, step off the trail on the downhill side and slowly leave the area.
If you see a cub, move slowly and calmly away from it. Be on the lookout for other cubs and avoid getting near them, which could trigger adult bears' protective parental instincts.
If attacked, fight back. Black bears have been driven away when people fought back with rocks, sticks, even bare hands.
Hamilton noted that bears are protected by the Wildlife Code of Missouri. People usually can scare bears away from campgrounds or homes by shouting or banging pots and pans. If these measures don't deter a bear, call your county conservation agent or the nearest Conservation Department office.
"The Conservation Department has people trained to deal with bear problems of all kinds," said Hamilton. "Like most Missourians, we are thrilled that bears are slowly returning to our forests. They are an exciting and important part of Missouri's wildlife, and when conflicts arise, we can handle them."
- Jim Low -
