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Press Releases
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April 29, 2009 Augusta, Maine – The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is strongly encouraging homeowners to not feed birds until July and to take other food odor prevention steps around their properties as ways to deter bears that could become a nuisance or danger. Bears are coming out of hibernation throughout Maine and are in search of food that is not readily available to them at this time of year. They are drawn to bird feeders, garbage cans, Dumpsters and grills – where food or the odor of food is prevalent – or to areas where people believe it’s OK to leave food for them. For birds, however, spring offers an abundance of natural food and therefore they don’t need to be fed by people. In addition, some birds this year have been inflicted with salmonella that has grown on rotten bird seed left over in or near feeders from last year. “The bird feeders need to be cleaned and free of seed to not only protect birds from salmonella, but to keep bears out of backyards so they don’t become reliant on people for food,” according to IF&W Wildlife Biologist Jennifer Vashon. “The best way to keep bears in the wild is to not make it easy for them to make themselves at home in your yard.” An incident last weekend in Livermore Falls, where a mother bear and her two 80-pound yearlings needed to be trapped and moved from a neighborhood, illustrates how bears become dependent on people for food – and become a nuisance to fearful neighbors. The sow and her two cubs, who had been trapped in New Hampshire neighborhoods and moved to northern New Hampshire woods, found their way to Maine. Last year, she wandered through Livermore Falls area with her young cubs, and people hand-fed them or placed bird seed outside for them. This year, some people continued the same feeding behaviors while others became worried about the bears’ close proximity to homes. Bears who become reliant on people for food return to the same locations to eat. “The worst case scenario is that a bear will hurt someone,” according to Vashon. “It’s happened elsewhere and it could happen here. We’d have to destroy the bear if this happened.” Spring is when the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Maine Warden Service receives hundreds of nuisance animal complaints, and bears near homes and in neighborhoods are among the calls. The Department strongly encourages people not to feed birds from April 1 to July 1. Birds are able for find food elsewhere. To deter bears, we suggest the following: Bring in your bird feeders. If you feel that you have to watch birds during the day, bring in the feeders at night BUT rake up all of the food underneath the bird feeder site so that bears are not drawn to it. Store garbage and garbage cans in the garage or basement until trash day, and put out the cans the mornings of pickup. Frequently disinfect trash containers. Odors can be reduced by rinsing meat packages before putting them in the trash. Freeze or refrigerate meat scraps, grease or other refuse with strong odor, and put them out with the trash the morning of pickup. A rag soaked with ammonia and placed in the garbage may discourage a repeat visitor. Nothing with a strong food odor should be composted in the back yard. For grills, burn off as much of the meat and grease as possible and then brush or scrape grills clean. Grills should be stored in a closed garage or shed. Dumpsters with heavy metal lids that latch shut should be used. Keep the lids and self-closing doors shut. If garbage is overflowing, contact the trash hauler to pick it up. If you have pets and feed them outdoors, bring their food dishes inside at night. Encourage your neighbors to take the same steps that you are to deter bears. When camping, put food and other items with an odor, including candy, toothpaste, suntan lotion and soap, in sealed containers. If camping near your vehicle, keep the sealed containers in it. Never store food or candy in your tent or sleeping quarters. If food or other odorous items cannot be stored, place them in a “bear bag” that is at least 12 feet above the ground and 10 feet from the nearest tree trunk. After meals, store all wanted leftovers and immediately wash dishes. Dump the dishwater away from the camp or use a sump hole to filter the water, and then burn the food scraps. Carefully burn all leftover food, wrappers and grease. Don’t bury them or throw them in a latrine. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay calm. Shout at it like you would to chase an unwanted dog. Most bears are timid enough to be scared away by yelling, waving or banging pots. Check first before going outside. Black bears blend into night skies, thus providing the chance of an encounter. Use outside lights to full advantage and look outside from a safe position, such as a porch or upstairs window. Never Approach a Bear. |
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