BearWise helps people live responsibly with black bears
BearWise helps people live responsibly with black bears
Recent BearWise Articles
Fall is power-eating time for bears
Bears’ appetites are biologically programmed to go into hyperdrive in the fall because they need to put on a thick layer of life-sustaining fat before they turn in for the winter. This annual power-eating marathon is called hyperphagia. Hyperphagia is in full swing now because many fruits and berries (soft mast) are still available, calorie-dense acorns […]
Do you feed your pets outdoors?
Pet food is a super-concentrated source of protein, fat, nutrients and calories. That’s why pet food is super-attractive to bears. In fact, pet food is one of the top three things that attract bears to neighborhoods and homes. A bear’s daily calorie needs quadruple in late summer and early fall. That means a bear that […]
How to attract birds, not bears
Watching birds is a great hobby the whole family can enjoy. Watching bears destroy your bird feeders isn’t nearly as much fun. You can’t blame the bears; the average seed feeder can hold a whopping 18,000 calories in a handy carry-out container. Hummingbird feeders are like energy drinks for bears. Bears are naturally shy and […]
BearWise® is the black bear program you can trust for sound information and smart solutions that help people, neighborhoods and communities prevent problems with bears.
Six At-Home BearWise Basics
Never Feed or Approach Bears
Intentionally feeding bears or allowing them to find anything that smells or tastes like food teaches bears to approach homes and people looking for more.
Secure food, garbage and recycling
Food and food odors attract bears, so don’t reward them with easily available food, liquids or garbage.
Remove bird feeders when bears are active
Birdseed and grains have lots of calories, so they’re very attractive to bears. Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears.
Never Leave Pet Food Outdoors
Feed pets indoors when possible. If you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions and remove bowls afterwards. Store pet food where bears can’t see or smell it.
Clean & Store Grills
Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles are removed. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out.
Alert Neighbors to Bear Activity
See bears in the area or evidence of bear activity? Tell your neighbors and share info on how to avoid bear conflicts.
Do you spend time outdoors…
…hiking, walking, cycling, jogging, camping?
Read how to Be BearWise Outdoors.
The Black Bear Comeback
Black bears once roamed over all of America’s forested lands. But after European settlement, their numbers and habitat in the Southeast dwindled. Thanks to new attitudes and enlightened conservation and management efforts, black bears are making a dramatic comeback over much of their historic home range. Now that bears are returning to areas they used to call home, it’s up to people and communities to learn how to peacefully coexist with these amazing animals.
BearWise shares ways to prevent conflicts, provides resources to resolve problems, and encourages community initiatives to keep bears wild.
Black bears once roamed over all of America’s forested lands. But after European settlement, their numbers and habitat in the Southeast dwindled. Thanks to new attitudes and enlightened conservation and management efforts, black bears are making a dramatic comeback over much of their historic home range. Now that bears are returning to areas they used to call home, it’s up to people and communities to learn how to peacefully coexist with these amazing animals.The BearWise® program was developed by black bear biologists and is supported by State wildlife agencies. Read more About BearWise.
The BearWise® name and logos are registered trademarks of SEAFWA, the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.