Duane Hicks
With black bears not expected to go into hibernation for at least another month, they are on the prowl—filling their bellies prior to their winter-long rest.
Local bylaw enforcement/animal control officer Arlene Byrnes noted yesterday said that since June, 20 nuisance bears have been reported, with the most recent being in the Patcin Avenue area last week.
“All of the reports are in the north end or east end,” she noted, adding one bear was live-trapped around Crowe Avenue on Sept. 6 and relocated.
Another one was immobilized back in late June.
Byrnes said the bylaw enforcement department certainly expects to get more bear reports from now until the end of October.
“The longer it stays nice out, it pushes their hibernation time back. It’s got to get cold,” she noted.
“But they know what they’re doing,” she added. “Their internal clock’s good.”
Byrnes said other places, like Atikokan, have been having big problems with bears this season. But she’s hopeful it doesn’t get that busy here.
Numbers so far are on par with last year. By the time bears started going into hibernation last October, the town had received a total of 40 reports.
Byrnes said some of the recent reports have included evidence of bears getting into people’s garbage, and stressed a good tip for residents to avoid attracting bears to their property is to put their garbage out on the morning of garbage day—not the night before or earlier.
As well, apples are ready. She said those with apple trees can pick up the apples off the ground right now, instead of leaving them as a bear attractant.
Other measures that can be taken to help prevent bears from staying in the area include:
•not leaving pet food outdoors;
•thoroughly cleaning outdoor grills after use;
•discontinuing to fill bird feeders for the time being;
•not putting meat, fish, or sweet food (including fruit) in your composter;
•not composting with open containers;
•keeping meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day;
•cleaning up any garbage in your yard;
•ensuring dumpster lids are closed; and
•leaving the bears alone—remember, they’re wild and highly unpredictable.
Residents are asked to report bear sightings by calling the Ministry of Natural Resources’ “BearWise” hotline at 1-866-514-2327.
If the matter is urgent and there is any potential danger, residents are directed to call the OPP’s communications centre at 1-888-310-1122, not the local detachment or the town.
When reporting a bear, complainants should be prepared to provide the following information:
•the location of the bear;
•number of times it has been sighted;
•time(s) of day it is sighted;
•possible attractants in area (birdfeeders, garbage, etc.); and
•what, if any, property damage occurred.
After a report is made, a bylaw officer and/or police may attend the scene, depending on the circumstances.
Authorities then either will continue to receive and monitor the reports of the nuisance bear, deploy a live trap, immobilize and remove the bear, or destroy it if necessary.
