Bears Are Awake!
The bears are waking up, and with that comes the opportunity to remind Vermonters to do all they can to prevent human-wildlife conflicts. To help spread this message, I have attached a general reminder for people that includes all of the other tips non-trash related to mitigate animal encounters.
Living in Bear Country? Manage Your Trash & Compost Wisely!
Bears have an incredible sense of smell, and improperly managed trash and compost can attract them to your home or neighborhood. Help keep bears wild and people safe by following these simple steps:
Secure your trash – Store garbage in bear-proof containers or inside a secure garage or shed until pickup day. Electric fencing is also an option (bait the fence to give the bear a zap!)
Compost smart – Avoid meat, bones, and dairy food scraps in outdoor compost bins. Follow the 3:1 Browns to Greens ratio.
Take down bird feeders – Bears love birdseed! Remove feeders from April to November.
Clean up grills – Grease and food scraps can lure bears in.
Keep pet food indoors – Feeding pets outside can unintentionally attract wildlife.
To learn more about preventing wildlife conflicts, or to report bear encounters on the VT Fish & Wildlife Bear Reporting Tool, visit tinyurl.com/LivingWithBlackBearsVT
Being bear-aware helps protect Vermont’s wildlife and our communities. Share this post to spread the word!
