Take steps now to prevent black bears from coming to your backyard
 The spring weather has finally arrived and wildlife is wasting no time shedding winter’s grip to enjoy the spring season!
For many of these animals, such as black bears, they have lost a significant amount of body weight and are on the move looking for food after emerging from their winter dens. While denning, black bears enter a state of torpor, slowing their metabolism and respiration, breathing only once per 15 to 45 seconds, and dropping their heart rate to 8-21 beats per minute. Even with a lowered metabolic rate, bears still lose significant body fat. Unlike true hibernators, bears don’t eat, drink, urinate, or defecate during this time.
Once spring comes and bears emerge from their dens, they are working to regulate their bodily functions slowly until normal activity ensues. Bears will seek out limited springtime foods such as insects, grasses, sedges, leftover hard mast from the fall, and other early spring vegetation. While natural foods are limited, bears may take the risk and wander into backyards in search of easily accessible food. It is especially important be proactive about securing and removing backyard attractants this time of year to prevent conflicts with black bears.
Take steps now to prevent black bears from coming to your yard:
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Birdseed
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Garbage
- Store garbage cans in a building or enclosed by electric fence
- Take to curb on morning of pickup
- Keep dumpster lids and doors closed and latched
- Use bear-resistant dumpsters or garbage cans
- Keep outbuilding and garage doors closed at all times and repair broken windows and doors
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Grills
- Clean grills thoroughly after use
- Store grill inside when not in use
- If you are having bear conflicts, stop grilling until bear moves on
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Pets and Livestock
- Feed pets inside
- Store livestock and pet food inside
- Keep livestock in buildings at night
- Install and maintain effective fencing for livestock
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