For many forest dwelling communities, it’s common knowledge that we share
the woods with animals of all shapes and sizes. Some of these critters, like
songbirds, we welcome to our homes with open arms offering food and well
wishes. Other animals, particularly those with sharp teeth and claws, are less
welcome because they can harm pets, property or even people.

Black bears, with their keen sense of smell, are particularly susceptible to the
draw of an uncleaned barbeque grill, an unlocked dumpster, a dangling bird
feeder or a half-eaten bowl of pet food on the back porch. Bears are
extremely vulnerable to the dangerous habit of associating human
communities and food opportunities. Once a bear gains access to human food
or garbage and becomes “habituated” it can lose its natural fear of humans
which can lead to a variety of safety problems for both people and bears.

Sadly, because bears habituated to human food sources are known to repeat
these behaviors, they cannot be relocated and must often be euthanized to
protect public safety. This means that Oregon’s black bears need our help to
keep themselves, as well as our own communities, safe.

Oregon is home to an estimated 30,000 black bears, many of which live in the
northwest part of the state. With so many bears and people trying to occupy
the same space, conflicts are inevitable. Specifically, the area along highway
26 between Sandy and Government Camp requires the Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife to respond to a high volume of human-bear related conflicts.
On a regular basis, citizens in these areas report bears raiding garbage cans,
damaging property and coming too close for comfort to humans. Several
factors may be contributing to this “hot spot” of encounters including
numerous bears in the area, a growing human population, and a constant flux
of recreationists and vacationers.

The good news is that these human-bear conflicts can be avoided. By
following a few simple guidelines, our communities can be safer places for
both people and bears. Here are a few recommendations on how we can help:

– NEVER feed bears.
– Clean and secure garbage cans and barbeques, take garbage with you when
leaving your vacation home or rental, and wait to place garbage cans on the
street until the morning of pickup.
– Feed pets indoors and minimize bird feeding when bears are active between
spring and fall.
– Remove fallen fruit and other attractants and encourage neighbors to do the
same.

Bear-proofing your yard and neighborhood has been proven to reduce
potentially dangerous encounters and together we can keep Oregon bears
wild!

For more information on how to live with black bears visit
www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/black_bears.asp