DNR Reminds Marylanders To Avoid Springtime Conflicts With Bears
Annapolis, MD (April 1, 2010) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would like to remind people living in and visiting bear country that they should help keep Maryland’s black bears wild. In April, after a long winter slumber, bears leave their dens and begin looking for food. Natural foods are scarce in the early spring and bears will often take advantage of human-provided food sources if they are available. Generally, this creates problems for both bears and people.
Trash and birdfeeders are two food sources that often lure bears into residential areas. Trash should be locked in a bear proof trash container or inside a building until the day of trash pick-up so that bears cannot access it. Rinsing trash cans with ammonia after they are emptied will help to eliminate any food odors that might attract bears.
Homeowners should also remove birdfeeders from April through November to avoid attracting bears. Songbirds will not suffer as there are many food sources for birds during this time period. If you insist on feeding birds, it is recommended that you bring birdfeeders in at night when most bears are active. This will not only prevent bears from eating the birdseed, but will also prevent them from destroying the feeder.
“Keeping bears wild is a community effort that benefits both bears and people,” said Harry Spiker, DNR’s Game Mammal Section Leader.
For more information on living with black bears please call the Western Region DNR Service Center at 301-777-2136 or visit us online http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/bbmd.asp
Trash and birdfeeders are two food sources that often lure bears into residential areas. Trash should be locked in a bear proof trash container or inside a building until the day of trash pick-up so that bears cannot access it. Rinsing trash cans with ammonia after they are emptied will help to eliminate any food odors that might attract bears.
Homeowners should also remove birdfeeders from April through November to avoid attracting bears. Songbirds will not suffer as there are many food sources for birds during this time period. If you insist on feeding birds, it is recommended that you bring birdfeeders in at night when most bears are active. This will not only prevent bears from eating the birdseed, but will also prevent them from destroying the feeder.
“Keeping bears wild is a community effort that benefits both bears and people,” said Harry Spiker, DNR’s Game Mammal Section Leader.
For more information on living with black bears please call the Western Region DNR Service Center at 301-777-2136 or visit us online http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/bbmd.asp
