Be ready for bears, town urges

Digging into garbage, knocking over barbecues and pawing at bird feeders, hungry bears are expected to enter town again this year.
The Town of Fort Frances is urging people to keep their lawns free of attractants to keep bears from wandering too far into neighbourhoods.
“Keep your garbage in the garage or shed and don’t put it out until the day of pick-up,” bylaw officer Arlene Byrnes suggested.
“Keep the barbecue clean. Also bird feeders can sometimes be a problem. Bears love bird seed,” she added.
Dog food can also be another attractant to the hungry creatures.
This isn’t the first year that town officials have kept watch out for bears.
“The last few years, they have come more and more in town depending on the season in the bush,” Byrnes said. “If there is a poor supply of berries, they come into town for more.”
Bears could be wandering into town until well into September and October when they begin hibernating.
Should you come in contact with a bear contact the Fort Frances OPP. They will notify the town and if the bear is potentially dangerous it will be removed.
Byrnes also had some advice if you should come face to face with a bear.
“You shouldn’t turn and run, just back away slowly,” she noted. “Keep your yard clean and you shouldn’t have any problems.”