Staff
The number of bear sightings in Fort Frances is much lower than normal in 2011, with none reported so far this year.
“We haven’t had a call yet,” town bylaw enforcement/animal control officer Arlene Byrnes said yesterday, joking that she almost didn’t want to talk about it for fear of “jinxing” the situation.
“It’s a good thing, I guess, because people must be doing things right,” she reasoned.
Byrnes said the “big draw” into town for bears is garbage, and people always can help minimize this by putting out their garbage on the morning of collection, along with the “blue box,” and not the night before.
“That is part of the waste management bylaw, also,” she noted.
While fruit trees have not matured yet, when they do, residents are advised to rake up the fruit from the ground as soon as possible to avoid attracting bears.
Bear activity definitely has been quiet compared to last year.
As of July 8 last year, there had been 20 reported sightings. The first one had been called in on April 30.
A total of 33 black bears were reported in town limits last year, with the most busy time being early September when nine bears were reported in the second week of that month.
The last bruin here was reported Oct. 4.
In total, the town has had immobilize three and live-trap two others.
In 2009, a total of 32 bear were called in, with the last report made on Oct. 18.
Recent years have seen bear reports here on a downward trend.
For example, 2008 saw 40 bears reported while 2007 saw 22.
This is a drop from 2006, where 77 bears were reported in town, which, in turn, was down from 105 reports in 2005.
If residents do see a bear, they should call the Ministry of Natural Resource’s “Bear Wise” hotline at 1-866-514-2327.
During business hours on weekdays, they also can call animal control at 274-5323 ext. 253.
In a life-threatening emergency, call the OPP.
