Securing attractants is the single best way to keep people safe, prevent property damage, and avoid the unnecessary killing of bears that come into conflict with people. A bear attractant is simply anything that draws a bear to it due to the item’s scent, which makes a bear think it’s food (even if it has no nutritional value).

Garbage, birdseed, pet food, and other items listed below attract bears to your property making it more likely for a bear to hang around or break into your home creating a safety risk for your family and a death sentence for the bear.

Bears are currently entering a phase known as “hyperphagia” where they are trying to eat as many calories as they can in preparation for winter. Their number one goal right now is to eat as much as they possibly can!

Best Practices:

• Do not leave small children or pets unattended outside
• If kids are going to walk to school, they should walk in groups and if they are younger have an adult with them
• Feed pets indoors, do not leave dishes of food outside
• walk in groups
• carry bear spray or an air horn or whistler
• Use electric bear fencing to protect chicken coops and fruit trees
• Pick up windfallen fruit and harvest fruit trees and berry bushes around your property
• Keep all garbage/recycling/compost secured inside a shed/garage until morning of pick up, do not put bins out overnight
• Clean BBQs thoroughly frequently
• Store pet food and livestock feed indoors