As fall approaches, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding residents that the state's black bears are increasing their activity in search of food before winter. Following BearWise® practices such as securing garbage and removing food attractants can help prevent negative interactions with bears and other wildlife.
Bears start consuming more calories in the fall to store up fat reserves for the winter, even in Florida where they do not hibernate as long as in colder climates. An adult bear needs to consume approximately 20,000 calories a day during the fall. This seasonal need results in increased activity from bears while searching for food. When given the opportunity, bears will take advantage of easy meals from unsecured trash cans and bird feeders.
“People can make a big difference in preventing conflicts with hungry bears by securing or removing potential food attractants such as garbage or bird seed,” said Mike Orlando, FWC’s Bear Management Program Coordinator. “When bears can’t find a food source in your yard or neighborhood, they’ll move on.”
To be BearWise this fall and help prevent negative interactions with bears and other wildlife, follow these six BearWise Basics:
1: Never feed or approach bears
- Feeding bears can make them lose their natural fear of people.
- It is illegal in Florida to intentionally feed bears or leave out food or garbage that will attract them.
- Getting close to a wild animal is dangerous.
2: Secure food and garbage
- Store garbage in a sturdy shed or garage and put it out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before.
- If not stored securely, modify your existing garbage can to make it more bear-resistant or use a bear-resistant container.
- Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters.
- Protect gardens, beehives, compost, and livestock with electric fencing.
- Pick ripe fruit from trees and bushes and remove fallen fruit from the ground.
3: Remove or secure bird feeders
- Remove bird feeders where bears are present.
- If left up, only put enough food out for birds to finish eating before dark.
- Use other options to attract birds without attracting bears.
4: Never leave pet food outdoors
- Feed pets indoors.
- If feeding pets outdoors, only put food outside for short periods and bring in leftover food and dishes after each feeding.
5: Clean and store grills
- Clean and degrease grills and smokers after each use.
- If mobile, store them in a secure shed or garage.
6: Alert neighbors to bear activity
- If you see a bear, inform your neighbors.
- Share tips on how to avoid conflicts with bears.
- Encourage homeowner associations or local governments to require trash be kept secure through bylaws or ordinances.
While black bears generally are not aggressive, they can injure people and pets. Female bears with cubs can be particularly defensive. Dogs can trigger defensive behaviors; 60% of incidents where bears injured people involved dogs. When walking dogs, keep them close – preferably on a non-retractable leash – and be aware of your surroundings. Before letting your dog out at night, turn lights on and off and bang on doors to give wildlife a chance to flee.
As bear movements increase this time of year so does road crossing activity. For safety reasons slow down when driving especially on rural highways at dawn or dusk. Watch for road signage identifying known bear crossing areas.
For conflicts with bears contact one of FWC’s five regional offices via MyFWC.com/Contact under “Contact Regional Offices” for phone numbers specific to regions. To report someone harming or intentionally feeding bears call FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
More information is available at MyFWC.com/Bear including access to “Guide to Living in Bear Country” brochure along additional ways being BearWise found at BearWise.org helping support conservation efforts through purchasing Conserve Wildlife tag available at WildlifeFlorida.org/CWT.