Be Bear Wise
To report bear problems, contact the Bear Reporting Line at: 1-866-514-2327 (TTY) 705 945-7641.
In a life-threatening emergency, call police at 911.
Simply by leaving pet food out at night, leaving food residue on your barbeque grill, or especially if your household garbage is stored in easy to open bags or in poorly sealed containers, you could be inviting bears to forage for leftovers.
Problems with bears are usually created by people. By following these tips every spring, summer and fall, you can avoid attracting bears to your property:
Garbage- Eliminate odours. Put garbage in containers that have tight fitting lids, and only put it out on the morning of garbage day, not the night before.
- Whenever possible, store garbage in bear-resistant containers, or indoors.(house, shed, garage). Do not store garbage in plywood boxes, old freezers or vehicles.
- Put meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day.
- If you do not have curbside pick up, take your garbage to the dump often.
- Frequently wash garbage cans and recycle containers and lids with a strong smelling disinfectant.
Bird/Pet food- Fill bird feeders only through the winter months.
- Do not leave pet food outdoors. Feed pets indoors, not outside or in screened in areas or porches.
Fruits/Vegetables/Compost - Avoid landscaping with trees, shrubs or plants that produce food known to attract bears (some examples include crab apple trees, mountain ash, beech and oak).
- Do not put meat, fish or sweet food (including fruit) in your composter
- Remove vegetables and fallen fruit from the ground.
- Pick all ripe fruit from trees and bushes.
Smells- Be aware that cooking odours can attract bears.
- Remove grease and food residue from barbecue grills, including the grease cup underneath, after each use.
Learn about bears, their needs and behaviour. Share your knowledge with others. Encourage your neighbours and your community to practice Bear Wise habits. It takes everyone working together to keep bears away.
Further information is available at:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Bearwise/index.html