Bears Waking Early Because of Mild Winter
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The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is reporting that bears are already being sighted in northern Middlesex County, Worcester County and Western Massachusetts and warning it's time to remove bird feeders.
Lack of snow and longer day length are encouraging bears to leave their winter dens and seek food, according to Laura Conlee, a DFW wildlife biologist.
In many cases, bears will ignore natural foods such as skunk cabbage and instead head to the nearest birdfeeder for a good meal. Property owners should be proactive by removing bird feeders and other potential food sources promptly and taking other preventative measures.
"Since much of the state had little or no snow cover, and food was available, some bears never really denned. We anticipate other bears might come out earlier than usual," said Conlee. "If food sources such as bird seed, unsecured trash or dumpsters are available, conflicts can occur that pose hazards to both bears and people."
Removing bird feeders will not create a problem for birds as feeding stations are a supplement to the natural foods available throughout the winter.
Bears have excellent long-term memories and remember which foods are available at different seasons, as well as where food sources can be found. Even if a feeder is inaccessible to bears, they will be attracted by the scent of seed and suet. Once they find a feeder, bears will return. Bears are generally shy and fearful of people, but deliberate or indirect feeding, coupled with a lack of harassment can cause bears to become accustomed to people. If they lose their fear of people and develop a taste for human foodstuffs, bears can become bolder and may cause damage that ultimately results in harm to property, people or to the demise of the animal.
Generally, due to their fear of people, bears tend to leave a yard when people step outside and make loud noises. Keep garbage in airtight containers, securely stored in a cellar, garage, or shed. Put trash out on the day of trash pickup, not the previous evening. Keep doors to sheds and barns latched or locked to prevent bears from finding grain. Don't feed pets outdoors. Don't dump sweet or meaty items in compost piles as bears will soon find them.
In residential areas where bears are known to be present, the entire neighborhood must take recommended actions or bears will move from yard to yard seeking food. Conlee noted that taking these actions also reduces problems with other common wildlife species such as coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.
More black bear information is at: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/living/living_with_bears.htm.
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