Bear reports down but still coming in here

FORT FRANCES—While the numbers aren’t as high as they’ve been in the past couple of years, reports of bear sightings keep rolling in for the town’s bylaw enforcement officers—and with no end in activity for at least another month.
Bylaw enforcement/animal control officer Arlene Byrnes said late Thursday that a total of 12 bears have been reported here so far.
“The bear activity is lighter than normal, but there has been some,” she noted.
The most recent call came Monday when a bear was reported roaming near Walker Avenue and Eighth Street in the daylight hours. But the bruin ran back into the bush once Byrnes and fellow bylaw enforcement officer Dave Egan arrived on the scene.
Most reported bear activity has been in the north end and central parts of town. “Mostly along the bush line and the railroad tracks. They seem to come in that way,” Byrnes said.
She added two bears have had to be immobilized and relocated this summer, and currently one trap in town is set to catch a bruin.
At the beginning of August, town bylaw officers were called to the public park at Phair Avenue where a resident reported a bear. The officers had to dispatch the bear, which was known to be a “repeat offender” from the tag it had on its right ear.
Bear activity usually doesn’t wind down until late September or early October.
“It’s a little but slow, but we’ve got time to go yet. People shouldn’t let their guards down—they’re doing a good job,” Byrnes said.
Some tips residents can follow to prevent the problem of nuisance bears from escalating, and ensuring public safety at the same time, include:
•clean up any garbage in your yard (garbage has been responsible for attracting bears to certain areas in recent incidents);
•dumpster lids should be closed;
•after barbecuing, burn off the grills;
•don’t compost with open containers; and
•leave the bears alone—remember, they’re wild and highly unpredictable.
While bear activity at the town dump isn’t unusual at the moment, users always should be cautious of the animals when disposing garbage there.
Residents also are urged not to go to the landfill just to see the bears.
Residents with bear complaints are directed to call the town’s bylaw department during the day (274-5323), the MNR “BearWise” hotline at 1-866-514-2327, or the OPP’s communications centre (1-888-310-1122) after hours.
Do not call 9-1-1.
When reporting a bear, complainants should be prepared to provide the following information:
•the location of the bear;
•number of times the bear has been sighted;
•time(s) of day the bear is sighted;
•possible attractants in area (birdfeeder, 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 deploy a live trap, immobilize, and remove the bear, or destroy it if necessary.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)