Bears on the prowl here

It’s that time of year again when residents should be wary of big, furry visitors in their yards as there’s been a rash of reports of black bears prowling neighbourhoods around town.
“We’ve had a total of nine reported bear sightings in the past week,” bylaw enforcement officer Dave Egan said Friday morning.
“They’ve been sighted in the central part of town and the east end,” he added, citing Frenette, Crowe, and Smith Avenues as just some of the areas the bruins have been spotted.
Egan said the town has set up a live trap in the hopes of catching nuisance bears. But so far, the animals haven’t caused too many problems, and bylaw officers have not had to deal with treed bruins or had to tranquilize any yet.
“It [bear season] usually starts around this time of the year,” Egan remarked. “Some people think they’re coming out because of the cold, but this is pretty much par for the course.
“The fruit trees are ripe and the bears are looking for food.”
While the bear situation is not out of control, some tips residents can follow to prevent it 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 bears 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) or the OPP’s communications centre (1-888-310-1122) after hours.
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.